Bali’s New Entry System Ushers in a New Era for Travel and Tourism in 2025
Bali, renowned worldwide as a premier destination for its beaches, culture, and vibrant lifestyle, has taken a significant step to transform the traveler experience through the launch of a streamlined entry system. Effective from September 1, 2025, this new digital process promises to simplify arrivals at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport and, subsequently, all major international entry points across Indonesia starting October 1, 2025. ### Simplifying the Arrival Experience with the All Indonesia Online Declaration Card
Historically, visitors to Bali faced a complex and often confusing entry process. Multiple digital forms—ranging from e-visa applications and customs declarations to health passes introduced during recent health crises—combined with payment of tourism taxes often resulted in long wait times and traveler frustration, especially among first-time visitors.
Recognizing these challenges, the Indonesian government has introduced the All Indonesia online declaration card, an innovative digital system consolidating all required entry forms into a single, unified platform. Travellers must complete the online declaration at least 72 hours prior to departure, enabling a seamless, efficient arrival experience.
Initially launched for three airports including Bali’s Ngurah Rai, Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta, and Surabaya’s Juanda, the system will expand to cover all international gateways such as ferry terminals from October 1, 2025, standardizing entry procedures nationwide.
Impact on Tourism: Enhancing Efficiency and Experience
Tourism is a cornerstone of Bali’s economy. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 800,000 Australians visited Bali in the first half of 2025 alone, underscoring its strong appeal, particularly from Australia. The ease of entry brought by the new system is anticipated to encourage even broader international visitation, including from Europe and North America.
The streamlined process is expected to reduce airport congestion and wait times significantly. Many travelers can avoid the traditional queues as they have pre-submitted their documentation digitally, facilitating smoother immigration clearance. Parents traveling with children, in particular, stand to benefit from reduced stress and more time to enjoy their vacation.
Aligning Tourism Growth with Sustainability Goals
Bali’s government has been proactive in addressing the challenges of over-tourism, emphasizing environmental preservation and cultural integrity. Recent measures include shutting down illegal businesses that do not comply with local regulatory standards in sensitive areas like Bingin and Balangan, focusing on sustainable tourism development.
The new entry system fits into a broader modernization strategy aimed at balancing tourism growth with sustainability. By reducing administrative hassles, Bali aims to attract tourists who value wellness, cultural experiences, and responsible travel practices.
The Broader Trend Toward Digital Transformation in Travel
Bali’s adoption of the All Indonesia online declaration card follows a global trend toward digitalization in travel, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries around the world have embraced online entry requirements to enhance border security, reduce processing times, and offer travelers more convenience.
For Bali, this digital transformation signals a commitment to creating a user-friendly and forward-thinking travel environment. Visitors can focus more on enjoying the island’s renowned attractions instead of navigating bureaucratic procedures.
Economic and Future Outlook
Easing the entry process is poised to reinforce Bali’s position as a leading international tourist destination and stimulate its vital tourism sector. By welcoming more visitors through efficient and sustainable mechanisms, the island can achieve economic growth while safeguarding its unique natural and cultural assets.
Looking ahead, Bali’s new entry system represents a new chapter in its tourism evolution—one that harmonizes accessibility, sustainability, and visitor satisfaction. As travelers embrace this innovation, Bali continues to set a benchmark for modern, responsible tourism in Southeast Asia and beyond.
The introduction of the All Indonesia online declaration card marks a pivotal advancement in Bali’s tourism infrastructure, promising not only convenience for travelers but also benefit for the island’s long-term appeal and preservation. As 2025 progresses, visitors can look forward to an enhanced, streamlined travel experience—one that makes Bali more accessible without compromising the qualities that make it extraordinary.
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