About the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme
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About the scheme
The APEC Business Travel Card Scheme is an APEC initiative.
The Scheme was developed in response to the need of business people to gain streamlined business visitor entry to the economies of the Asia-Pacific region to:
- explore business opportunities
- attend meetings
- conduct trade and investment activities.
See also:
Business Mobility Group
APEC Secretariat
Benefits for cardholders
The APEC Business Travel Card cuts through the red tape of business travel. Through a single application form, the card allows accredited business people to obtain multiple short-term business visitor entry to participating economies.
This saves cardholders time and effort involved in applying for individual visas or entry permits.
Period of stay
Cardholders can stay at least two months on each visit, with some participating economies providing three months stay on each visit. The APEC Business Mobility Group website provides a summary about the period of stay allowed in each participating economy.
See: Summary of Periods of Stay for ABTC Holders
Streamlined immigration processing
Cardholders may also access special 'APEC lanes' at major international airports which fast-track immigration processing on arrival and departure. The APEC Business Mobility Group website provides a summary of APEC lanes arrangements at major international airports.
As of 19th November, 2006, ABTC holders are also able to use the card to access fast-track air-crew lanes throughout international airports in the United States.
Please note: Cardholders will still need to present valid passports and visas if required by existing United States law.
See: Arrangements at International Airports
Card validity period
Cards are valid for multiple entry to participating economies for 3 years.
Please Note: If you obtain a new passport, you must obtain a new APEC Business Travel Card as these two documents are linked.
Conditions of entry
Just like a visa, the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme does not affect the right of each participating economy to determine who may travel to, enter and remain in their economy, even after a business person has been issued with an APEC Business Travel Card.
Your APEC Business Travel Card does not replace your passport and your passport remains the primary travel document. You will still need to carry your valid passport when you travel.
APEC Business Travel Card
Your APEC BusinessTravel Card is the size of a credit card. It contains your photograph and signature on the front side for secure identity recognition. The reverse side of the APEC Business Travel Card contains your passport number and the three letter code of each economy that your APEC Business Travel Card is valid for travel to.
Please Note: There is no economy code required for the United States as the card only allows for access to the fast-track air-crew lanes. Cardholders will still need to present valid passports and visas if required by existing United States law.
Participating economies
There are 17 APEC economies currently participating in the APEC Business Travel Card scheme:
- Australia
- Brunei Darussalam
- Chile
- Hong Kong (China)
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- People's Republic of China
- The Philippines
- Malaysia
- Peru
- Singapore
- Chinese Taipei
- Thailand
- Vietnam