🥇 timer’s Guide to arrival in Bali - save this!

🚨U P D A T E

Since 1 September 2025, Indonesia requires all travellers - including Singaporeans - to use the new All Indonesia app when entering via Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport (and other major entry points).

Now, this app consolidates the old e-customs and health declaration forms into a single digital arrival card. All you need to do is download the app, submit your arrival declaration up to 3 days before you fly (sounds familiar, fellow Singaporeans?), and present the generated QR code upon arrival.

Note that you will still need to handle Tourist Levy payment and any visa applications separately as these are not included in the app.

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Don’t laugh — unlike many Singaporeans, I’ve never been to Bali until recently! 🤭 I jumped at the chance to (finally) visit the island and like everyone else, I went down the rabbit hole of blogs and websites to plan my trip. What struck me was how little clear, administrative information there is for first-time visitors, particularly Singaporeans. Given how “powerful” our passports are, we don’t always think about the paperwork but there are definitely some details you don’t want to miss.

So I decided to write the post that no one asked for — but every first-timer to Bali definitely needs.

Fellow newbies, this one is especially for you!

🛂 Your Pre-Trip Preparation Checklist

✅ Bali Tourist Levy

All tourists entering Bali need to pay a small tourist levy. While you can make payment upon arrival at the airport in Bali as you make your way from the plane to immigration, why do that when you can sort it out pre-trip?

👉 The official website for this is here: https://lovebali.baliprov.go.id/.

The cost is only 150k rupiah, and they accept YouTrip. Be careful not to pay more than this amount and stick to the official channel!

✅ Autogate Access Application

If you’re a Singaporean passport holder flying in from an ASEAN country, don’t forget to apply for Autogate access — this lets you breeze through immigration using the e-gates, rather than queueing at the manual counter.

Important:

This Autogate application also acts as your visa exemption registration if you’re staying 30 days or less. You do not need a separate visa-on-arrival if you meet these conditions.

👉 Apply here: https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/web/application_bvk

Yes, this is the same immigration portal where visa applications are handled. Don’t worry, it’s all explained on the site (eventually…).

✅‼️ All Indonesia App (Arrival Declaration) — NEW FROM SEP 2025

Instead of filling out separate e-customs and health forms, you now complete everything via the All Indonesia app. Simply:

• Download from iOS/Android App Store

• Submit personal, travel, and health info (up to 3 days before arrival)

• Get a QR code (emailed + in-app), then show this at immigration/customs

[P.s. if you are travelling as a kampung: group submissions of up to 10 travellers are allowed if everyone is a foreign visitor]

✅ E-visa information (if applicable)

If you plan to stay in Bali longer than 30 days, or you’re from a country that requires a visa, you’ll need to apply for a Visa on Arrival (VoA) online before your trip.

Same website, different purpose:

👉 https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id

Tip: It’s confusing because the government doesn’t separate these clearly on their site — which is why I’ve laid it out here.

Just remember:

• Under 30 days + Singapore passport = Autogate + Visa Exemption Application on immigration website

• Over 30 days = Visa on Arrival (electronic application via immigration website)

💡I used the Saved Messages function on Telegram to save the pdf files and/or screen grabs of my documentation so that I can whip out the needful quickly.

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✈️ Flying with Scoot ✈️

First time to Bali, and my first time on Scoot. Went Budget since I was tagging along with my husband on his work trip. Some things to note:

💢 Scoot departs from Changi Airport Terminal 1. While we had KrisFlyer Elite status, it does not automatically mean priority service. Unless you are flying ScootPlus, you will likely be directed to the regular queue.

💢 No KrisFlyer lounge access for Scoot flights so if you have a Priority Pass membership, check out the Plaza Premium Lounge. It is decent — most people there are sleeping at 6am (my flight time), but breakfast is served. Limited options available. If you don’t have a inflight meal ordered on your Scoot flight, fill up here or head elsewhere to spend some holiday money.

💢 Boarding was honestly quite a nightmare. There wasn’t a queue. Despite the announcements, people were crowded at the glass doors separating the boarding area and the jet bridge. If you have the Board Me First option purchased, you can exercise this but the chaos made it really difficult to tell if it was worth the extra $$ spent.

🧘Tip: take deep breaths and remind yourself that you’re heading for an ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ time.

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🛬 ARRIVAL IN BALI — an absolute mixed bag 🛬

Arriving in Bali was smooth and somewhat chaotic at the same time. I mean, it is an airport - literally a venue for transit.

🛃 As a Singaporean with Autogate application, I zipped through immigration in under 5 minutes. Just scan your passport, smile for the camera and you’re in. EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY BEACH BARS HERE WE COME! 🍹🏄🏻‍♂️

🛄 Immigration was waaaay faster than waiting for checked baggage. It took ~45 minutes before bags started arriving. If you can squeeze everything you need for your trip into a 10kg carry on, including liquids within the restrictions limit, just do it. But again, think about the (chaotic) boarding process.

💸🤑 You will notice plenty of porters around the baggage carousel. If you use their service, expect to tip them. But if you don’t need their help, they won’t engage with you — no questions will be entertained either.

‼️NEW from September 2025: Before you exit, you will need to show the QR code from your All Indonesia app. If you are travelling as a group, you can queue and present the group’s QR together - just make sure nobody wanders off with duty-free snacks while you are trying to clear customs.

🇮🇩 WELCOME TO BALI (in all its warm glory)

This part was a bit mind-boggling (for me). After clearing customs, you are immediately looped through a maze of shops and services before you can finally exit. Say what!? And no air-conditioning. Bali welcomes you warmly (literally) the moment you step out.

If you booked a private driver, you will find them waiting just outside with a handmade sign. I found someone with a signage clipped to the front of his shirt while he played mobile phone games as he waited.

If you are using Grab or Gojek, follow the signs to their designated meeting point. The Grab/Gojek lounge is well-organised! Simply show your booking code to the staff at the lounge, wait in air-conditioning, and they will connect you with your driver. We booked with Gojek and scored a discount. Something to note: watch out for touts trying to offer rides outside the lounge area. Politely decline and head into the lounge, they will leave you alone.

🛜 MOST CRITICAL INFO — Bali e-SIM 🛜

I bought mine off Shopee for $7.50. 5 days, 7GB. I received the QR code via email, stayed well-connected from the time I touched down till I left. It worked well everywhere I went.

📳 https://s.shopee.sg/9pMdLnDSaN

Congratulations! 🎉 You made it through Bali’s travel administration jungle and are all set to enjoy your time on this beautiful island. The paperwork might seem a bit much, but once it's done, you are all ready to soak up everything Bali has to offer.

P.s. I am thinking of going back to Bali again but maybe this time, I’ll fly with KLM or SQ 🌚

Read more 👇🏼

My somewhat-free stay at an expensive resort

#lemon8travel #bali #balirecommendation #traveltips #TravelGuide