Bali’s new autogates have been fully operational for just under a month.
The new autogates installed at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport are helping reduce queue times for both domestic travelers and international tourists.
Although autogates are now widely used in airports around the world, many travelers are yet to use the technology, so Bali Immigration has issued some hints and tips to help keep everyone moving.
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is now home to 90 autogates, with 60 in the arrivals hall and an additional 30 in the departure areas.
The autogates can be used by all Indonesian passport holders with an e-passport and all international travelers who have an e-passport and an e-visa.
This includes the e-visa on arrival. The autogates cut immigration processing times down to an average of 23 seconds, and staffed counters are always still open for those who wish to talk to an immigration officer on arrival.
The installation of the autogates has taken many months, and speaking at the official sign-off on the mega project, the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, told reporters, “As one of the main gateways for Indonesian tourism, the average international arrival at TPI Ngurah Rai Airport reaches 18,000 – 21,000 people per day.”
He added, “With the autogate facility, the immigration inspection process only takes 15-25 seconds per person. This is a good breakthrough to smooth immigration inspection traffic, becoming more effective and efficient.”
As more tourists feel comfortable using the autogates, usage is increasing from both domestic travelers and international tourists.
However, initial figures show that around 67% of international travelers are using the autogates, and 62% of Indonesian passport holders are.
To help encourage more passengers to use the autogates, the Indonesian Immigration Agency has released a series of top tips and best practices to keep everyone moving through the autogates as efficiently as possible.
In a social media post, Immigration explains the common mistakes that mean that tourists are either denied entry through the autogates, are stopped by immigration officials, or cause delays for fellow users.
The first top tip is for passengers to remember not to step over the yellow line before their turn in the queue.
The thick yellow line on the ground is a marker for all autogate users waiting their turn to stand behind; this way, the passenger in front has sufficient space to enter the autogate passageway, and the queuing passengers do not interfere with the opening and closing of the gate mechanism, and are not caught by the ID scanning camera in the autogate itself.
The second is not to take photos or videos nor as selfies of the autogate and immigration area. This is a rule that applies to the staffed immigration counters, too. Photography and videography are not permitted, and anyone caught doing so may be subject to additional checks and questioning.
When standing in the queue to use the autogate, it’s a good idea to open the passport to the ID page, also known as the biometrics page, as this is the only page that the autogate will scan. Scanning the wrong passport page causes extra delays.
Wearing facial accessories such as sunglasses and face masks is prohibited since the autogate scanner needs a clear view of the face to conduct its automated checks. Hats, caps, and headphones must also be removed.
Bali Immigration is also advising travelers to keep an eye on their belongings as they pass through the autogates.
One of the most common mistakes immigration officers see is passengers walking off and leaving their hand luggage on the floor of the autogate passageway once the front gate opens.
For those who need additional support or for those who are expecting problems with the autogates, immigration staff is also supervising the autogates at all times.
Immigration staff at Bali Airport can speak a range of languages, and there are always English-speaking staff on hand to help travelers navigate the airport upon arrival and departure.
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Randy
Sunday 27th of October 2024
Many of the readers and others may NOT know that VFS global will now handle Indonesian VOA arrival on their live website as of December 2024 for 97 countries. Travellers to Indonesia can complete the entire process online before departure and receive a pre-approved e-VoA. The e-VoA can be obtained by visiting VFS Global’s website, submitting all the required documents, and paying the necessary fees online prior to travel. A more streamline process without using the official immigration website.
Finally the user-friendly eVoA solution aligns with Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to enhance its tourism infrastructure and services. Well, no one will have to hear complaints from clueless and less savvy computer knowledge from foreign travelers trying to navigate the cumbersome present immigration website. VFS global will handle it now.
Paul
Saturday 26th of October 2024
Got a. Voa on arrival and you don't have to use the gates at l simples
Randy
Saturday 26th of October 2024
Indonesian passports holders are NOT able to use the auto gates upon departure but on arrival only. This issue is only related in Bali, go figure!!
How many times have I heard over the vines how Indonesians have complained about the slow process at departure. The two person counter is also combined with KITAS/KITAP, air crew and Diplomatic, a two lane process while the foreign tourists have many lanes available besides the auto gates that are readily available for them. Is that really fair?? There is a fair number of Indonesians leaving in and out of Bali to begin with. Now wonder Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International airport is more efficient for both Indonesian and foreign passport holders. And the whole dynamic is more fengshui and welcoming. There are more Indonesians leaving and entering out of the Jakarta International terminal departure.
The Bali international departure hall where ticketing are located inside has no seating available or in the Domestic hall either for that matter. Come on seriously... The airport terminal at the Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta has given up on x ray machines for luggages and other belongings when entering the departure hall. Where as in Bali, the X-ray machines are still being used to enter the international terminal.
The auto gates are easy to use and it’s a no brainer !! And yes Indonesian airports are still better than let’s say US airports where waiting in line to be processed that could stretch farther as the eye can see. Auto gates do not exist unless you pay a fee to use the global entry and still may be verified by a border agent upon entry. And not all US citizens pay to register to use the global entry self auto gates.
Exp
Saturday 26th of October 2024
The problem is not the auto gates but completely inadequate signage and control of flow when entering the immigration area: Do like other countries and put up large text overhead signs and dividers to steer people in the right direction.
I arrived trying to use auto gate. Got red light. Nobody there to tell me what was the issue. Ok I guessed not ready for KITAS. However, unable to find sign anywhere for KITAS manual desk. That is not good enough. I should never have reached the auto gate queue in the first place if clear direction are put up.
Barryco
Tuesday 29th of October 2024
@Shorty, KITAS can use autogates out AND into DPS. I’ve been doing this multiple times since May 2024
Shorty
Tuesday 29th of October 2024
@Exp,
If you have KITAS and previously traveled you don't need signs directing you to the appropriate counter. You will be aware the auto gates won't work for you.
Of course airline procedures at many places can be improved.
I've just returned from a quick trip to Sydney. I have a chipped Australian passport and KITAS.
Ngurah Rai sh*ts on Sydney.
Carry on luggage, customs to outside 21 minutes.
Randy
Sunday 27th of October 2024
@Exp, an Indonesian border agent would direct you and if you look Indonesian by your appearance, one would direct you to the far corner where a two person counter and a two lane queuing for KITAS/KITAP, Diplomatic, Airline crew and all Indonesians. Indonesian passport holders leaving out of Bali cannot use the auto gates unlike leaving out of from Jakarta using the auto gates. Go figure!!