Everyone who has flown into Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport likely shares a painful memory—especially during peak seasons or flight rush hours, the process from immigration to baggage claim can easily take one to two hours. Honestly, being stuck in a queue right after landing can halve your vacation mood.
But good news is here, Bali Airport is seriously revamping its immigration process with significant changes. I’ve compiled the latest key points to help you prepare for your trip to Bali.
Complete Reorganization of Immigration Routes
Leading this reform is the Class I Special Immigration Office at Ngurah Rai Airport, which has officially announced a complete overhaul of the international arrival area’s passenger routes.
Immigration Office Head Bugie Kurniawan admitted that Ngurah Rai Airport’s current immigration setup differs from Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport, with shorter immigration channels leading to severe congestion.
The core of the new route design is simple: direct all passengers straight to immigration checks upon disembarking, eliminating unnecessary detours.
Key Improvements at a Glance
The announced improvements are summarized into several key points:
1. New Arrival Route Design
- Upon arrival, passengers proceed directly to immigration checkpoints (autogate or manual counters)
- No more complex routing, saving significant time spent walking around the airport
- Expected to greatly reduce overall clearance time
2. eVOA Electronic Visa on Arrival with Autogate is the Way to Go
- Passengers who have already applied for eVisa or eVOA can use the autogate, completing immigration in seconds
- Visa on Arrival (VOA) service will still be available but requires separate counters
- Passengers without pre-arranged visas will be directed to VOA counters
- Those who haven’t filled out the All Indonesia Arrival Card will be guided to electronic kiosks for completion
3. Complete Pre-Arrival Tasks All at Once
To ensure smooth entry, complete these tasks before flying to Bali:
- Apply for eVOA Electronic Visa on Arrival (recommended two weeks before departure): Cost IDR 500,000 (~USD$16), valid for 30 days, extendable online for another 30 days
- Fill out the All Indonesia App arrival card and customs declaration
- Pay the Bali Tourism Tax (via LoveBali website or App)
- Prepare QR Code: Ensure your phone screen can display it anytime before and after boarding
4. Enhanced Health Quarantine Measures
These measures are in response to the recent Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship:
- 2 thermal scanners added to the international arrival hall
- 1 thermal scanner installed in the domestic arrival area
- Monitored on-site by Denpasar Health Quarantine Center (BBKK) personnel
Airport Communications and Legal Affairs Director Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi mentioned that these are preliminary measures to strengthen biosecurity protection. So in the future, when entering the country, you’ll go through a more comprehensive health screening process. No need to be too nervous, just proceed through customs as usual.
Passenger Traffic Is Truly Remarkable
Here’s a statistic to help you understand the pressure on Bali’s airport — from January to April 2026 alone, Ngurah Rai Airport handled over 4.5 million passengers, a growth of more than 10% compared to the same period last year. This year, Bali aims to welcome 7.5 million international tourists, and within the next three to four years, they plan to upgrade the airport’s capacity to 32 million passengers.
This is why the airport and immigration authorities must speed up process improvements — if they don’t act, the queues during peak season will be unbearable.
Our Recommendations
Honestly, these changes are very practical good news for travelers. Here are our suggestions for those planning to fly to Bali:
- Two weeks before departure, complete your eVOA to save time queuing for a visa on arrival
- Before landing, fill out the arrival card on the All Indonesia App and save a screenshot of the QR code for backup
- Tourism tax (IDR 150,000) — pay it in advance on the LoveBali App so you don’t have to queue on arrival
- After arrival, go straight through the autogate for automated immigration — if your passport qualifies, the whole process takes just seconds
Truthfully, Bali’s progress in tourism infrastructure over the past few years has been astonishing. From airport improvements to traffic upgrades in Uluwatu and beach enhancement projects in Kuta, it’s clear they’re serious about making the island an international tourism hub.
Next time you land at Ngurah Rai Airport, hopefully we’ll all experience that smooth “from plane to car in under 30 minutes” feeling. After all, every minute of your vacation should be spent by the beach or enjoying great food, not standing in queues.
👉 Quick Reference: 2026 Bali Ultimate Guide | Must-Read First-Timer’s Guide
