Bottom line: As long as you have your e-Visa (eVoA) ready and the tourism tax paid, you can head straight to the auto gates upon arrival at Bali Airport, bypassing the queues for visa on arrival and manual immigration stamping. The process is cut from 6 steps down to 4. Bali Airport now has 80 auto gate units in total—60 for arrivals and 20 for departures.
What is Auto Gate Clearance?
Starting in 2024, getting your e-Visa on Arrival (eVoA) in advance not only saves you from queuing for a VoA (Visa on Arrival) but also eliminates the need to wait in line for immigration stamping. The time you save lets you soak up more of Bali!
In January 2024, Bali launched this auto gate system. Plans are to add 50 more auto gate units within a few months, bringing the total to 80 units across Bali’s international terminal for fast clearance (60 auto gates for arrivals/entry and 20 for departures/exit).
Post-Landing Clearance Process
The standard procedure is:
Get off the plane ➡️ Queue for visa on arrival ➡️ Queue for immigration passport check and stamping ➡️ Pass through immigration ➡️ Collect luggage ➡️ Show QR code at customs ➡️ Pay tourism tax
For those who follow us and know to apply for an e-Visa and pay the tourism tax in advance, the clearance process becomes:
Get off the plane ➡️ Use automated immigration ➡️ Collect luggage ➡️ Show QR Code to customs ➡️ Pay tourist tax
Not only do you skip two lines entirely, but you also avoid facing immigration officers who might ask questions or cause trouble!
Real Experiences from Group Members
(Provided by group member Ellen Yang):
(Provided by group members Sam & Sandra):
When we arrived at Bali Airport on February 6, 2024, we applied for an electronic visa online in advance and tried the new automated immigration system. The whole process was quick and smooth—we cleared customs in less than three minutes, which was incredibly convenient! I highly recommend applying for the visa online beforehand to save a lot of time and hassle.
The airport staff were all very friendly. Shortly after we got off the plane, someone asked if we had already applied for the e-visa and kindly guided us to the automated immigration area. However, since we were traveling with a child under 14, the airport staff informed us that children under 14 cannot use the automated gates. Fortunately, when the customs officers saw that only one child in our family couldn’t pass through, they immediately led the child to a dedicated counter nearby. The process was very efficient, with no waiting in line at all. Meanwhile, the adults who had already passed through automated immigration waited by the counter for the child.
Editor’s note: Currently, children aged 6 and above can also use the airport’s automated immigration gates. Previously, this lane was only available to those aged 14 and older.
Additionally, Ellen reminds travelers that the handwritten customs declaration form has been discontinued for some time. Many people still don’t realize until the last checkpoint, after collecting their luggage and heading to customs, that they need to fill out the electronic customs declaration online. This causes delays at the final stage as they spend time completing the e-CD form. Don’t miss this step! See the guide on filling out Indonesia’s mandatory e-CD customs declaration
Further reading: Complete Guide to Applying for Indonesia/Bali eVisa (eVoa)
Requirements for Using Automated Immigration
Excited about this super convenient service? To use the ultra-fast automated immigration system, you need to meet these two essential requirements:
- You must hold a valid Electronic Visa on Arrival (eVoA) — this is a prerequisite for Bali Airport’s automated immigration. You can apply for and obtain this visa online before arriving in Bali to ensure a smooth clearance process.
- You must be at least 6 years old. The automated immigration system is only available for passengers aged 6 and above. Those under 6 will need to be guided by customs officers to a dedicated counter for clearance.
Don’t Take Random Photos at the Airport
Finally, a reminder (applicable to airports worldwide): taking photos near immigration or customs can land you in serious trouble. In airports, photography in immigration or customs areas is generally discouraged for security and privacy reasons. Airports are highly secure zones, and taking photos may be misinterpreted as challenging security measures or posing a potential threat. Additionally, photographing immigration or customs facilities may violate laws or regulations, especially in sensitive areas. Showing respect and following local laws is the best way to avoid problems — it’s best to refrain from taking photos to steer clear of unnecessary trouble.
Further reading: 2025 Bali Entry Changes in One Minute: Indonesia/Bali Arrival Process — From Disembarkation, Immigration, to Baggage Claim
