Bali’s Immigration Revolution: New Visa Lounges Set to Simplify Travel for Tourists by 2026

Bali Immigration to Enhance Visa Services Accessibility for Tourists in 2026

December 12, 2025 – In a move set to greatly simplify visa-related processes for visitors, Bali’s immigration authorities have announced plans to make visa services more accessible, with the introduction of permanent Immigration Lounges in public spaces by 2026. Trial Success at Discovery Mall Bali

The initiative began with a successful two-day trial of a pop-up Immigration Lounge at Discovery Mall Bali in Kuta on December 6-7, 2025. This pilot event aimed to test providing key immigration services in a more convenient location for tourists and residents alike. During the trial, the lounge served 384 people, demonstrating robust demand, with capacity to accommodate up to 1,000 visitors over the event period.

Permanent Immigration Lounges Planned

Following positive reception, Indonesian Immigration officials confirmed plans to open a permanent Immigration Lounge within a centrally located shopping center in Bali sometime in 2026. The exact mall location is yet to be finalized, but the concept has been widely praised for its potential to bring essential immigration services closer to travelers and reduce congestion at traditional office locations.

Winarko, Head of the Ngurah Rai Class I Special Immigration Office, explained the wider vision behind this effort. “Bali is an international tourism hub with high mobility among Indonesian and foreign nationals. Making immigration services fast and accessible is increasingly important,” he said. According to Winarko, the pop-up lounge represented "the first step towards collaboration in providing immigration services in public spaces," aiming to cater to the high movement of people on the island.

Focused Services Provided

While the Immigration Lounge did not offer all possible immigration procedures, it featured the two most in-demand services: passport renewal for Indonesian nationals and stay permit extensions for tourists. These services are branded as “Eazy Passport” and “Eazy Stay Permit,” reflecting the Immigration Directorate’s commitment to delivering faster, more efficient, and standardized processes.

Saroha Manullang, Head of the Travel Documents, Residence Permits, and Immigration Status Division at Bali’s Regional Immigration Office, praised the collaboration with Discovery Mall Bali and highlighted the community benefits of the new service model.

Context: Current Visa Processes and Developments

At present, visa extensions for tourists and other categories require an online application through Indonesia’s Hybrid Application System, followed by an in-person appointment at Immigration Offices typically located in Denpasar or near Ngurah Rai Airport. While functional, the process can be inconvenient for those wishing to stay longer or requiring quick assistance.

Recognizing the need for enhanced convenience, Bali has recently expanded its immigration infrastructure. In November 2025, two new Immigration Offices commenced operations—one in Tabanan Regency and another in Klungkung Regency—offering more localized access for residents and visitors in western and eastern Bali regions respectively. These new offices operate as Class III facilities and provide limited but valuable services closer to popular tourist and expatriate areas such as Canggu, Kedungu, Candidasa, and Semarapura.

Visa Options for Travelers

For visitors on shorter trips, the 30-day eVisa on Arrival remains the most appropriate and widely used option. Travelers can apply for this visa online via the official Indonesian eVisa website up to 72 hours before arrival, though earlier application is recommended. Priced at IDR 500,000, the eVisa on Arrival also grants access to automated immigration gates at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, streamlining entry and exit procedures.

Looking Ahead

The introduction of Immigration Lounges within shopping centers represents a significant step towards modernizing and simplifying immigration services for the island’s dynamic traveling population. As Bali continues to welcome millions of tourists annually, these service enhancements are expected to improve visitor experience and support the island’s status as a premier international tourism destination.

For further information about visa regulations and immigration services, travelers are encouraged to consult official Indonesian government channels prior to their visit.