Bali Immigration Anticipates Surge in Foreign National Overstay Following Middle East Conflict
The Bali Ngurah Rai Immigration Office is anticipating a potential surge in foreign nationals (WNA) exceeding their permitted stay duration (overstay) in Bali, following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East that has disrupted international flight operations.
Bugie Kurniawan, Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, stated that his office is continuously monitoring developments in the global situation affecting international passenger mobility. “We are closely monitoring these global dynamics,” Bugie said in a statement on Sunday, 1 March.
According to him, the conflict in the Middle East could potentially cause several foreign nationals to overstay owing to flight cancellations or delays, preventing them from leaving Indonesia according to their permitted stay schedules.
He urged foreign passengers whose residence permits are about to expire or have already expired due to the aviation emergency to immediately report to the Immigration Office or Immigration Service Posts at the airport. “Foreign nationals affected by flight cancellations and whose permits are about to or have already expired should report immediately to receive further guidance,” he stated.
Bugie emphasised that cases would be handled in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, taking into account force majeure conditions resulting from international flight disruptions. “Each case will be handled professionally and proportionally whilst upholding the principles of legal certainty and public service,” he said.
Additionally, the Bali Immigration Office also appealed to prospective international passengers, particularly those transiting through the Middle East, to regularly check flight status through official airline applications and coordinate with airlines before travelling to the airport. “Our primary priority is ensuring immigration administrative processes for passengers continue to be served well and in accordance with procedures,” Bugie said.
To anticipate queuing increases, Bali Immigration has increased personnel at each work shift from 25 to 30 personnel, with additional officers deployed in international arrival and departure channels.
Immigration authorities are also coordinating with airport authorities, airlines, and related agencies to monitor flight route movements and activate contingency plans for affected passengers.
According to monitoring reports as of 1 March 2026 at 01.00 WITA, there are five flights from Bali that have been affected, namely Etihad Airways (EY477), Qatar Airways (QR963), Emirates (EK369), Qatar Airways (QR961), and Emirates (EK399).