Tourists in Bali could get life in prison under strict new law: what Australians need to know

Tourists could spend up to 20 years in a prison cell in Bali if they overstay their visas or otherwise violate Indonesia’s strict new immigration laws.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Immigration has launched Operation Jagratara – a crackdown on visitors who violate the terms of their visas and wider laws in general.

Crimes that would have punished tourists with six months to a year in prison are now punishable by ten years or a maximum of twenty years behind bars.

The move serves as a warning to those traveling to Indonesia, where 400 people have already been deported this year for violating immigration laws.

The new crackdown will not affect most visitors to Bali, who pay for a visa on arrival and leave within 30 days, or renew their visas to leave within 60 days.

However, some overstay their visas by months or even years.

About 125 officers have been deployed across Bali as part of Operation Jagratara, while 20 patrol jeeps and 20 patrol motorcycles are also being deployed.

Immigration officers will be able to carry firearms while on duty, the Bali Sun reported.

Tourists could spend up to 20 years in a prison cell in Bali if they are found to have overstayed their visa or broken immigration laws, under new tough measures (pictured on Kuta Beach)

About 125 officers have been deployed across Bali as part of Operation Jagratara, which will also see the rollout of 20 patrol jeeps and 20 patrol motorcycles (stock image)

“Agents often monitor dangerous transnational criminals, so the use of firearms is necessary for self-protection and to ensure that officers can catch the perpetrators,” Directorate General of Immigration for Indonesia Silmy Karim said.

As part of the crackdown, more immigration checkpoints will also be set up.