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Have you ever traveled halfway around the globe to Bali for a peaceful vacation, only to land at the airport and spend what feels like hours in line for immigration checks?
You’re not alone in your eagerness to explore stunning temples and enjoy nature’s beauty.
Bali has become an exceptionally popular destination for Western travelers, but its strict immigration policies can lead to significant delays—entry requires a fee and several forms to be completed.
Fortunately, the gods of Bali have answered our prayers by making the immigration process much simpler.
Tourists Can Now Use e-Gates For Faster Screening Upon Arrival in Bali
Starting this month, visitors can now streamline their entry through the international border by using automated e-Gates. These have been gradually installed and are now fully operational, with 60 available for arrivals and 30 designated for departures.
e-Gates have quickly become the preferred option over manual passport checks, allowing travelers to scan their own documents and skip the typical questioning that comes with border control. This trend is not only growing in Asia but is also gaining traction in certain European countries and Mexico.
According to the Directorate General of Immigration Silmy Karim, Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali is “one of the main gateways into Indonesia,” accommodating up to 21,000 international arrivals daily. The introduction of e-Gates will provide desperately needed relief to travelers while the existing visa rules remain in place.
While discussions about potentially eliminating the entry fee in Bali are ongoing, no changes have yet occurred, and tourists must adhere to the current visa regulations.
What Are the Entry Requirements for Bali?
To enter Bali, visitors must either apply for an e-Visa before arrival or obtain a visa on arrival, which both involve completing forms and paying a $35 fee.
Travelers who do not secure pre-approval for an e-Visa and instead opt for a visa on arrival will need to endure a two-step process: first, applying for the visa and making the payment, and then going through actual border control. Thus, it is advisable to obtain an e-Visa for a smoother experience.
Currently, even with e-Gates, obtaining a visa remains a requirement. However, you may wonder how this process will be overseen if border officers are no longer present.
In fact, they haven’t disappeared:
Non e-Visa Holders Cannot Access the e-Gate Lane
As reported by the Bali Sun, only travelers who have previously secured an e-Visa can utilize the e-Gates, both for arrivals and departures. Those who delay and attempt to apply for a visa on arrival will not have this option.
If you’re a U.S. passport holder without an e-Visa, unfortunately, you’ll have to wait in line longer than usual.
Choosing the latter option provides no advantages, as wait times are significantly longer, and you will miss out on the automated screening. The Directorate General of Immigration states that the e-Gate process typically takes between 15 and 25 seconds per individual.
e-Visa Applicants Must Be Careful to Avoid Ineligibility for e-Gates
When filling out the e-Visa application, ensure that all your information is correct, or you may find yourself unable to use the e-Gate when you arrive in Bali.
If there are any errors in your application, you will be required to wait in the regular immigration line like everyone else. Double-check the accuracy of your passport numbers and the validity date to avoid any issues before making your payment.
This may seem unnecessary to some, but there have been multiple instances of travelers making mistakes while entering their information, especially when it involves alphanumeric passport numbers.
One Australian tourist recently had to pay an extra $35 to reapply at the border due to incorrectly entering her passport number by omitting the initial two letters “PA.” She remarked, “All my life, I’ve thought the two front letters were merely identifiers, so why would I need to include them?”
Once your payment is confirmed, approval is usually automatic, and the information you submitted cannot be altered. Thus, if any mistakes occur during the application process, you won’t receive a refusal for your e-Visa, but you will still be barred from using the e-Gate lane.
Additional Forms Required for e-Gate Eligibility
Additionally, some travel guides may not highlight the requirement of completing two more forms aside from the e-Visa: a customs form and a health declaration form, particularly pertaining to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak.
To use the e-Gate, be sure to follow these three steps:
- Obtain the e-Visa and pay the $35 fee here
- Complete the customs form here
- Acquire the ‘Health Pass’ here
While immigration checks in Bali are becoming less bureaucratic with the introduction of e-Gates, entry regulations remain strict. Tourists are reminded that with either an e-Visa or a visa on arrival, they can only stay on the island for up to 30 days.
Those who overstay or engage in activities not permitted by their visa type, such as seeking local employment, risk facing heavy fines or even deportation. Trust us, it’s best to stay on the right side of the law in Bali.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of any banks, credit card issuers, hotels, airlines, or other entities. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities referenced in this post.
