New Autogate Installation at Bali's International Airport: Important Changes for Visa Applicants
International arrivals passing Immigration check via new autogates at Bali Ngurah Rai Airport.
WELCOME AUTOGATES
For individuals hoping to apply for a new visa during their trip to Indonesia, the recent installation of 30 autogates at Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has brought about significant changes. The advanced technology, which uses facial recognition, aims to streamline the immigration inspection process for travelers.
The autogate system verifies passport data and is connected to an Interpol database which will improve state and global security. For Indonesian citizens, autogates may be used whether their passport has an electronic chip inside or not.
From the 1st of February 2024, which saw the trial period for the new technology begin, over 112,000 passengers have used the autogate facility. The majority of users are foreigners, with the top ten countries being from Australia, China, South Korea, the United States, Japan, England, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan and the Visa on Arrival (VOA) being the most commonly held visa when passing through.
VISA APPLICATION CHANGES
Following autogate installation, visa applicants must now be outside Indonesian territory in order to apply for a new visa. In practice, this means that if an individual entered Bali on a ‘Visa on Arrival’ (VOA) and then wished to change to a ‘Business Visit Visa’ (C2), they would first need to leave the country before submitting their new visa application. Consequently, travellers will now be required to stay outside Indonesian territory until their new visa gets applied for, verified and successfully issued. Depending on a visa type, that could mean that a traveller may need to stay out of the Indonesian territory anywhere from 3 to 7 business days (effectively for the duration of time needed for the new visa to be reviewed and issued). As opposed to the former regulations, where individuals could apply for visas while still onshore in Bali, fly out only briefly, and then return with a new visa. This new policy will mean applicants may wish to consider their travel plans more carefully due to the additional time needed.
An example of a failed visa application due to applying while applicant is onshore.
REDUCED TIMES IN AIRPORT
Whilst the autogate installation may initially cause some confusion, it is a very positive development for Bali's tourism industry. The improved efficiency and security measures are likely to reduce waiting times for travelers and provide greater security for Indonesia at large. With a total 50 units having been scheduled for installation in the airport for 2024, these improvements should increase, providing visitors to Bali with a faster arrival experience as the year continues.
If you have been considering submitting an application for a new visa soon, we would advise you to plan your trip with new regulations in mind, so you have sufficient time to complete the process outside of Indonesia. Should you have any queries or wish to know more about the new regulations, feel free to reach out to us at Bali Solve, so we can help you find the best solution for you.
Written by Team Bali Solve
