Billy Bagus
Sep 11, 2025
If you are heading to Bali or anywhere else in Indonesia, a major shift has just taken place at the border. Since 1 September 2025, the country has rolled out the All Indonesia Digital Arrival Card, a new online system that every international traveler must complete before setting foot in the archipelago. This move is designed to cut through airport bureaucracy and replace the maze of paper forms that used to slow down the immigration line.
For visitors to Bali, where long queues at Denpasar airport have often been a sore point, this change could be a game-changer!
What Exactly Is the Digital Arrival Card?
The new card unifies several entry requirements into one online form. Previously, travelers had to fill in separate documents for immigration, customs, health declarations, and quarantine. Now, these have all been consolidated into a single digital submission.
The form is free, can be completed online via the official website https://allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id/, or through the official mobile app. Travelers must fill it out within 72 hours before arrival. Once completed, the system generates a QR code that becomes your digital key for immigration and customs clearance.
Where and When You Need It
The rollout began on 1 September 2025 at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Surabaya’s Juanda International Airport, and Batam Port. By 1 October 2025, the requirement will cover all international entry points across the country. This means that anyone landing in Bali for a beach escape, a yoga retreat, or a surf trip must complete the card before departure. Without it, you risk delays or even denied entry!
How the Process Works
Completing the Digital Arrival Card is straightforward. You input your passport details, flight and itinerary information, accommodation address, and basic health and customs declarations. The system also requests your IMEI number if you are bringing a mobile phone into the country. After submitting, a QR code is generated and sent to your email or stored in the app.
That QR code is what immigration officers and customs officials will scan upon arrival. In practice, this should mean less paperwork, fewer bottlenecks, and a more seamless welcome.
What the Card Does Not Replace
It is important to note that the Digital Arrival Card is not a visa. Travelers must still secure the right visa type for their stay, whether that is a Visa on Arrival, an electronic VOA, or another category. Ideally, this should be done at least 48 hours before travel. The card functions more like a digital gateway that complements, rather than replaces, existing visa requirements.
Why This Matters for Bali
For Bali, which attracts millions of foreign visitors each year, the implications are significant. Shorter airport queues mean less time spent under fluorescent lights after a long flight and more time stepping into the island’s tropical air. The system also reduces the risk of misfiled paper forms and ensures data flows directly to the authorities in real time.
Yet questions remain about how smoothly this digital transition will unfold. Will all airports have the infrastructure to scan codes efficiently? Will older or less tech-savvy travelers struggle with the online-only requirement? These are challenges that could define the system’s success.
