No free lunch: Indonesia’s Bali targets barter deals in immigration sweep

For years, the Hindu island has been popular among players of the aesthetic economy, thanks to its beaches, unique rituals and lavish resorts.

Indonesian businesses also collaborate with foreign content creators, who exchange social media posts for free products, luxury resort stays, or spa treatments instead of money.

The Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration has cautioned foreigners that accepting free goods or services in exchange for promotional social media posts is considered illegal work if done on a standard tourist visa.

“It’s not always about payment,” the office said in a social media post on May 7. “Immigration authorities may look at the purpose of [foreigners’] stay, the type of activity, and whether there is economic value behind it.”

Such activities included offering professional services – for example, make-up artists or photographers, product endorsement and business promotion on social media – and “work-like activities that involve benefits, even unpaid”, the office said.