Visa violations are no laughing matter.
Authorities in Bali have been flexing their muscles amid an increase in reports about foreign nationals violating their stay permits and earning a living in Indonesia. One of the latest to be caught is a stand-up comedian hailing from Russia.
The 20-year-old, who police identified by his initials SS, was apprehended on March 8 for holding and taking part in a comedy show without a work permit.
Denpasar Immigration Office Chief Teddy Riyandi said in a press conference yesterday that the authorities monitored SS’ social media activity and watched him perform on March 8 at the Riverside Convention Center.
SS, who stayed in Canggu, initially did not admit that he worked as a comedian in Bali. But authorities said the evidence they obtained, which also included pamphlets promoting the shows he was a part of, said otherwise.
“SS said that he was in Bali only for a vacation,” Teddy said, adding that the Russian national was on a social and cultural stay permit that he obtained on March 7.
“His visa was only valid for leisure and not for the commercialization of his activities. Based on our observation, people paid entrance fees to watch the stand-up comedy show.”
SS was supposed to be able to stay in Indonesia until May 5, but he was deported yesterday due to the visa violation.
Under Indonesian law, SS is barred from entering Indonesia again for at least six months.
A fellow comedian who asked to remain anonymous to protect his privacy told Coconuts that SS was part of a stand-up comedy group consisting of Russian and Ukrainian nationals.
“Such a shame. He’s a good kid,” he said.
“I don’t like how they are deporting people for [doing] comedy, music, or tattoos. It is close to a minimum wage job. Just offer them a visa and tax their income.”
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