BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are continuing to affect international aviation routes, leading to multiple flight cancellations that have disrupted travel plans for passengers departing from Bali.
Several air corridors in the Middle East have been closed due to the conflict, resulting in the cancellation of a number of flights connecting Bali with major transit hubs in the region.
According to the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration in Bali, at least 40 flights from Bali to Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi were canceled between February 28 and March 8, 2026.
The disruptions have directly affected foreign nationals in Bali who have been unable to return to their home countries or continue onward journeys due to the sudden flight cancellations.
As of Sunday (March 8), the Bali Immigration Regional Office, through Ngurah Rai Immigration Office and Denpasar Immigration Office, had issued 270 Emergency Stay Permits, known as Izin Tinggal Keadaan Terpaksa (ITKT), to affected foreign nationals.
Immigration authorities also granted 35 foreign nationals a waiver of overstay penalties, allowing them to remain temporarily in Bali without incurring administrative fines due to the extraordinary circumstances.
Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Felucia Sengky Ratna, said the agency is handling the situation through a balanced approach that prioritizes humanitarian assistance while maintaining regulatory oversight.
“We understand the difficult situation faced by foreign nationals due to this force majeure situation in the Middle East. Therefore, Bali Immigration is fully committed to providing proactive and accessible immigration services to ensure legal certainty,” Sengky said on Monday (March 9).
“At the same time, we continue to maintain strict field supervision to ensure that security and public order in Bali remain stable and that there is no misuse of immigration regulations,” she added.
Authorities are urging all affected foreign nationals to remain calm and report to the nearest immigration office before their visa or stay permit expires.
Foreign travelers are also reminded to comply with Indonesian immigration regulations while waiting for their travel arrangements to resume.
To manage the situation, Bali’s immigration office has implemented several measures, including instructing all immigration units across the province to remain on standby and respond proactively to developments related to the flight disruptions.
Officials have also strengthened communication channels, including call centers, social media platforms, and direct complaint services, to provide guidance and assistance for affected travelers.
In addition, immigration offices across Bali have introduced a same-day service for the issuance of emergency stay permits, allowing foreign nationals to obtain legal documentation more quickly during the disruption.
The policy also allows affected travelers to process their emergency permits at any immigration office in Bali, regardless of their registered place of stay.
Immigration authorities said monitoring of affected foreign nationals will continue to ensure compliance with regulations and to prevent potential misuse of emergency stay permits during the ongoing travel disruptions.