How to use autogates at Bali international airport
With flights just under 3 hours from Singapore, Bali is undoubtedly one of our favourite nearby destinations to holiday in. And if you browse through The Smart Local, you’ll find plenty of articles on things to do in Bali.
You no longer have to worry about queueing up at immigration, because trips here have just been made more convenient with the recent launch of 30 autogates at the Bali airport. Here’s how to apply to use it, so that you can say goodbye to long immigration queues.
What you need to know about the autogates at Bali Airport
With the new autogates at Bali’s airport, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, you no longer need to queue up at the physical counters upon arriving at the airport. The automated gates make the immigration process for Singaporeans easier and faster, allowing you to get to your hotel in Bali in a jiffy.
Aside from Singapore, residents from the following ASEAN countries are also allowed to use the automated gates:
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- Lao PDR
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Timor Leste
- Thailand
- Vietnam
How to register for autogates at Bali Airport online
There are a few things that you’d need to prepare for before being able to use the autogates at Bali Airport. But don’t worry, it’s as easy as 1-2-3. You need to register your visit online via Indonesia’s immigration site with every trip. For this, prepare the following documents:
- A picture of your passport
- A picture of yourself
- Your personal details, including details of your accommodation in Indonesia
Do note that you need to be a biometric passport holder in order to use the automated gates. A biometric passport is simply a fancy term for a passport that has a microchip containing all your details, like the Singapore passport.
Step 1: Upload a picture of your passport
Image adapted from: Ministry of Law and Human Rights Directorate General of Immigration
Ensure that you have a clear picture of your passport on hand. The website will not accept anything that isn’t in picture format. Stick to either .png, .jpeg, or .jpg. Files that are pdf or .docx will not be accepted. Trust us, we tried.
As stated on the website, make sure that the picture of your passport is clear and not blurred. Ensure that the entire page can be seen and isn’t covered, blocked, or folded in any way. The photo of your passport should also be in landscape orientation instead of portrait.
Step 2: Upload a picture of yourself
Image adapted from: Ministry of Law and Human Rights Directorate General of Immigration
This part is pretty self-explanatory. Simply grab any passport-sized photograph of yourself and upload it. Standard passport picture rules apply – your picture should be in color, should show your face and shoulders, and have a decent amount of headroom.
The max size of your picture should be 2MB. If your picture exceeds the file size, simply go to any online image compressor to reduce its size. Alternatively, save your picture as a .jpeg or .jpg file instead of a .png.
Step 3: Fill in your personal details
The next section might be a tad bit lengthy, requiring you to fill in your particulars. However, some of them would have been auto-filled after you’ve uploaded your passport. The most important thing you need on hand would be the address of your hotel or accommodation in Bali.
Image adapted from: Ministry of Law and Human Rights Directorate General of Immigration
After which, you’ll get a confirmation of your application:
Image adapted from: Ministry of Law and Human Rights Directorate General of Immigration
What to expect at the autogates at Bali airport?
Image adapted from: u/Busy-Rich-2895 on Reddit
The process is pretty similar to the one we have at Changi Airport. All you have to do is scan your passport, stand at the designated spot for about 30 seconds while it recognises your face, and you’re through
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Last we heard, there aren’t many instructions or signs pointing to the automated gates upon arrival at Bali’s airport – so you’ll have to do your due diligence in keeping a lookout for them or ask someone for directions.
Things you need to know before travelling to Bali
Now, before you book your flight, there are some things you need to know. The government in Bali has implemented a tourism tax of 150,000 rupiah (~S$12.80) from 14th February 2024. This also applies to the surrounding islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. You can pay at airport counters or on the Love Bali website before arrival to speed up the process.
However, the good news is that Singaporeans don’t need a visa to travel to Bali. Well, if you stay for less than 30 days, that is. Something to note is that the 30-day grace period starts from the moment you enter Bali – so even if you enter Bali at night, it’d still be considered 1 day.
If you’re staying in Bali for longer than 30 days, you should apply for a Visit Visa, or Visa on Arrival. This would allow you to process a one-time extension of another 30 days, which means you’ll be able to stay in Bali for 60 days. Do note that you’ll have to apply for the visa online prior to arrival in Bali.
How many airports are there in Bali?
Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, is the only airport in Bali – and it serves both international and domestic flights. Note that it is the only airport in Indonesia with these automated gates at the time of writing.
Transportation from the airport is relatively easy as those who are booking a private car can rest and wait for their transport at the Grab or Gojek pick up points located right outside the airport terminal.
Alternatively, you can choose to book a private hire to pick you up. The distance between the airport to popular Bali destinations such as Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud is less than a 2-hour drive.
Bookmark this article for your next trip to Bali
If you find yourself travelling to this paradise island more than once a year, going through the autogates at Bali Airport will save you a lot of time. Plus, there’s no better feeling than breezing through immigration if you’re arriving on a late night flight.
For more Bali-related articles:
Cover image adapted from: Ministry of Law and Human Rights Directorate General of Immigration