Bali is a favourite destination for Australians, but entering through the island’s already difficult airport has become even more challenging with new taxes and declarations for arrivals.
Two new conditions for entry were introduced this year: A tax for visitors and a declaration for the mpox virus.
With the disease declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation, Indonesia imposed new rules from August 27. Visitors must fill out a health pass at least 48 hours before they depart for the country.
“If one comes from abroad, they must fill in a form by using a QR code. There’ll be three kinds of results; yellow, green, or red,” Bido Gunadi Sadkikin, Indonesia’s Health Minister, said.
“Green result means there is no need to do anything. If the result is either yellow or red, we must check the temperature and if it turns out to be high and there are rashes, the suspect will undergo a PCR test.”
Mpox is an infectious disease that results in painful rashes and fevers. Although most people recover, it has the potential to make some incredibly unwell.
It spreads through contact with infected people’s skin or from animals.
Full details for Indonesia’s SATUSEHAT Health Pass (SSHP) can be found here.
Before entering Indonesia, you need to complete the SATUSEHAT Health Pass. You can complete the form online before you check in for your flight. If you have Mpox symptoms, you may be referred to a hospital for treatment on arrival. https://t.co/bRkWecn81m@DubesAustralia pic.twitter.com/l2xmeduBfa
— Smartraveller (@Smartraveller) August 30, 2024
Tourist tax
The tourist tax that came into effect earlier this year will set back visitors about $15 each and can be paid online or in person on arrival at Bali Airport.
The levy must be paid every time someone enters Bali, even if they depart for another area of Indonesia and return.
Smartraveller, the Australian government’s travel advice site, said the levy was separate from the e-Visa on Arrival or the Visa on Arrival.
“Cashless payments can be made online prior to travel or on arrival at designated payment counters at Bali’s airport and seaport,” Smartraveller said.
“You must have an ordinary [non-emergency] passport with at least six months of validity from the date you plan to enter.”
Exemptions are available to student visa holders, crew members on transportation vehicles and holders of diplomatic and official visas.
Bali’s governor previously stated that the levy would help make tourism on the busy resort island more sustainable.
Some tourists, including those who hold Australian passports, are also required to pay roughly $50 for a visa on arrival at the airport.
Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport has a reputation for long lines and waits. Photo: Getty
Navigating Denpasar Airport
Denpasar International Airport is infamous for its long immigration queues, with lines lasting more than two hours if passengers arrive at a busy time.
One way to speed up this process is to ensure that forms and the tourism tax are paid ahead of time. Even so, baggage claim can take up to 90 minutes during peak times.
Island officials committed to reducing wait times in 2023, but visitors have still complained about the constant queueing and slow pace of processing in 2024.
There has been an influx of tourism to Bali from across the world this year.
The largest cohort still comes from Australia, whose residents make up about 25 per cent of all tourists to the holiday island.