A YouTube video featuring Julian Petroulas, an Australian entrepreneur, has sparked a viral storm on social media. Titled “How I make MILLIONS of dollars in Bali,” the video showcases his impressive business ventures, including a sprawling 1.1 hectare plot of land and a restaurant in Canggu, Bali. However, this flashy promotion of his success led to an unexpected twist: Julian has been banned from entering Indonesia. What could have gone wrong?
In the video, which was uploaded five months ago, Julian proudly shares how his property in Indonesia contributes to his wealth. Not only does he claim to own acres of land, but he also reveals his first business in Bali – a restaurant named Penny Lane, located in North Canggu. He states that the restaurant, established in 2019, continues to operate successfully today.
Julian’s content doesn’t stop there. In another video, he offers a glimpse of his visits to vacant plots of land across Bali. He explains his decision to purchase three properties in different areas in a video titled “Buying Land as A Multi-Millionaire in Bali,” which he posted seven months ago. While it may seem like a standard business update, his videos would soon trigger major consequences.
The Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration (Ditjen Imigrasi) took swift action after the videos garnered attention. In a formal statement issued on December 19, 2024, Saffar M. Godam, the Acting Director General of Immigration, confirmed that Julian Petroulas had been banned from entering Indonesia.
“Per November 21, 2024, JP is no longer allowed to enter Indonesia,” Godam announced, confirming the severity of the situation.
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Why the drastic decision? Immigration authorities say that Julian violated the Immigration Law, specifically Article 75 of Law No. 6 of 2011. He is accused of engaging in activities that threatened public safety and order by failing to comply with Indonesian regulations. His business operations, according to officials, also raised red flags.
One of the key points of contention lies in Julian’s use of a visa on arrival to enter Indonesia during two specific periods: June 17 to July 7, 2024, and July 20 to August 8, 2024. “This type of visa does not permit foreigners to own land or property in Indonesia,” Godam explained, pointing out that Julian’s actions were in direct violation of immigration rules.
Immigration took additional steps to verify the land ownership claims shown in Julian’s videos. A team from the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office conducted surveillance in the areas surrounding the villas and plots mentioned by Julian. Their findings confirmed that Julian did not own any land or businesses in Bali.
According to the immigration department, such content could harm Indonesia’s reputation as a desirable destination for foreign investment. “Content like this can create a negative perception among foreign investors. They might hesitate to invest in Indonesia if they come across inaccurate information,” Godam warned.
In response to growing concerns, Godam also urged the public to report any suspicious or illegal activities involving foreigners in their neighborhoods to the nearest immigration office. He emphasized the importance of using the online complaint channels that have been set up for this purpose.
As the story unfolds, Julian’s promotional video has turned from a success story into a cautionary tale for foreign entrepreneurs looking to operate in Indonesia.
