APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[Bob]

Hola Bob. I received your pm but thought I would post so all could read the advice.

I really can't add a great deal to what I said previously. My Spanish is not even at a schoolboy level because I studied Italian instead! But while they appear daunting in their military style uniforms and perched position in the immigration booth, the Chileans are generally quite nice people.

Proffer a buenas dias up front to show you have at least learned to have manners in their language and you should be ok with a slow and direct explanation in English.

Definitely direct the immigration officer to consult with the reciprocity payment counter (directly on the left as you come down the escalator). Remember to go to the booth on the far right after passing the first counter. As stated, remain firm and state that Chileans do not pay to get into Australia if they have this card.

Don't feel intimidated and you will be fine. Chances are any delays at this stage won't prevent your early departure from the airport as the local baggage handlers have a very laid back approach towards a speedy offloading of luggage.

Buenos suerte amigo.

Hola sully,

No hay problemas. The agent accepted my broken Spanish explanation.

Gracias

 

[v8Statesman]

It took over 4 weeks for my letter to come. The letter arrived last weerk.

 

[one9]

It took over 4 weeks for my letter to come. The letter arrived last weerk.

the letter was slow for me also. but i am happy as i am now cleared for china, which is the country i have been waiting for.

I sent my application in February, received a confirmation letter in March, and now I am cleared for 15 out of the 17 countries. So for me it has taken around 3-4 months.

The only two countries that I am not yet cleared for yet are Peru and Taipei. Why Taipei is taking so long is strange.

 

[Soundguy]

SIN and PNG seem to have really got their act together; my application is only about 4 weeks on and have clearance for:

Australia
Hong Kong (China)
Chile
Malaysia
PNG
Singapore
Chinese Taipei

 

[Sorky]

APEC Card in China - A tip

For those of you waiting for pre-clearance for China - do not be concerned!


I had two visits to China where I had the card but no pre-clearance so I got a visa BUT I still used the APEC line!

I remember standing in the middle of the China lanes looking for the APEC lane when a guard came up and directed me to the 'Foreign' counters. I just held up the card and he very politely (bow, etc) led me to the APEC/Diplomat line (which was un-manned). He then went and found someone who escorted me through and around the back to the head of one of the Foreign lines!

I've since got the pre-clearance, so I don't need the VISA and the card has well and truely paid for itself.

RULE # 1 : Flash the card!

 

[Mal]

It appears the website URL has changed.

It's now:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/apec/index.htm

DIMA havn't put a redirector on the old page, so may be worth updating the initial post.

(It appears they've updated the website/application form to include more information about who is eligible and when to use the card. I also get the perception they've tightened up the qualifications needed)

 

[bigjobs]

Re: APEC Card in China - A tip

RULE # 1 : Flash the card!

i agree with you 100% on this rule ... by flashing the card i have been moved around to the front of queues in a number of countries.

it's good stuff ... i ain't got time for queues man

 

[cowombat]

Ahhh... self satisfaction! Last week was the BIG week in Japan for summer holidays. Departing Narita on Monday, the queues were massive at immigration in terminal 1. I had to shuffle my way past the people at the very back of the hall (because the queues went all the way to the wall) to get over to the VIP window. There I got instant service! I must have saved half an hour. Great tool! (Now if only India would join APEC...........)

 

[tallboy]

Re: APEC Card ~ How long to issue Interim Card?

This sounds like a great benefit for me and as soon as I read about it I organised my application. Thanks to those who initiated and have updated the thread.

My story is that I mailed my application on 28 July and about a week later received an acknowledgement letter dated 1st August. By 8th August I had been cleared for Oz, and by the 15th NZ, Peru, SIN and Chinese Taipei had been added. By the 22nd Malaysia and Japan were also there, and just checking now HKG has been added today.

My question now is: Approximately how long after requesting an interim card does it take to receive it? I have a long trip coming up starting 8 September and would like to use the card on that. Obviously I would like to wait as long as possible so that more economies can be added before they issue the card.

Can anyone provide any advice on how long they take to issue and mail an interim card?

I am based in MEL.

Thanks and regards,

tb

 

[one9]

Re: APEC Card ~ How long to issue Interim Card?

This sounds like a great benefit for me and as soon as I read about it I organised my application. Thanks to those who initiated and have updated the thread.

My story is that I mailed my application on 28 July and about a week later received an acknowledgement letter dated 1st August. By 8th August I had been cleared for Oz, and by the 15th NZ, Peru, SIN and Chinese Taipei had been added. By the 22nd Malaysia and Japan were also there, and just checking now HKG has been added today.

My question now is: Approximately how long after requesting an interim card does it take to receive it? I have a long trip coming up starting 8 September and would like to use the card on that. Obviously I would like to wait as long as possible so that more economies can be added before they issue the card.

Can anyone provide any advice on how long they take to issue and mail an interim card?

I am based in MEL.

Thanks and regards,

tb

It is fairly quick to receive an interim card once you request it. From memory it was about a week. To be safe, I would allow 2 weeks.

 

[Damien]

Re: APEC Card ~ How long to issue Interim Card?

Can anyone provide any advice on how long they take to issue and mail an interim card?

When you call and request it, they will tell you to expect it in around 1 week.

 

[simongr]

Hmm - 22 pages of this was a interesting if somewhat disappointing read. I was clinging to the vain hope that this ABTC could be acquired by non-OZ citizen but nothing seems to be available to me.

I am a UK cit, permanent resident in Oz (about 18 months away from Oz citizenship) and am going to be doing a reasonable amount of travel in Asia (SIn - Nov, Japan - Dec to start) so this sounded like a winner. I just cant seem to find a way round the citizenship requirements. Any thoughts?

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

I am a UK cit, permanent resident in Oz (about 18 months away from Oz citizenship) and am going to be doing a reasonable amount of travel in Asia (SIn - Nov, Japan - Dec to start) so this sounded like a winner. I just cant seem to find a way round the citizenship requirements. Any thoughts?

You can't do it - been trying for three years - it's tied to an APEC-issued passport. And don't forget you are 18 months away from applying for citizenship, so three months to the interview, six weeks to get the letter and then another six months to your ceremony

 

[bfmi]

....I was clinging to the vain hope that this ABTC could be acquired by non-OZ citizen but nothing seems to be available to me.

Same goes for our US guys

 

[cowombat]

Re: APEC Card ~ How long to issue Interim Card?

It is fairly quick to receive an interim card once you request it. From memory it was about a week. To be safe, I would allow 2 weeks.

But if urgently needed, mention this in the request. The APEC folks are excellent - very customer focused and have always responded quickly in my experience.

 

[mileagemax]

Re: APEC Card ~ How long to issue Interim Card?

But if urgently needed, mention this in the request. The APEC folks are excellent - very customer focused and have always responded quickly in my experience.

Agree! I don't deal with government departments or agencies much, but I was totally amazed at the service and responsiveness of the APEC staff.

 

[tallboy]

Re: APEC Card - Progress

Progress report:

Mine moving quite quickly so far. Four weeks after mailing off the application I have been pre-cleared by:

[FONT="MS]Australia[/FONT]
[FONT="MS]Hong Kong (China)[/FONT]
[FONT="MS]Chile[/FONT]
[FONT="MS]New Zealand[/FONT]
[FONT="MS]Malaysia[/FONT]
[FONT="MS]Indonesia[/FONT]
[FONT="MS]Japan[/FONT]
[FONT="MS]Peru[/FONT]
[FONT="MS]Singapore[/FONT]
[FONT="MS]Chinese [/FONT][FONT="MS]Taipei[/FONT]
[FONT="MS]Vietnam[/FONT]

Just waiting on one more (Thailand) before applying for the interim card.

Cheers,

tb

 

[Sorky]

Worth waiting for Thailand as I used it on my last two trips to Bangkok.

Very busy when I arrived so I stood in the APEC/Diplomats marked lane behind a group - no idea why they were in that line.

Got out my card and made sure I was holding it so it was clearly visible. I very soon had someone lead me through to one of the back desks for immediate processing - Remember the rule - Flash the card!

Now if I could only use it to get into the US quicker on my next trip there!

 

[tallboy]

Worth waiting for Thailand as I used it on my last two trips to Bangkok.

Thanks for the advice.

I am scheduled to arrive BKK just after the new airport opens (current date...), so could be even more useful then...

 

[sully]

A good news story on why this card is da bomb. I am in Jakarta at the moment and with the card have 60 days available to me. Not that I am taking it mind you.

The benefit of the card is clear given my last adventure here pre-ABTC. Last time I arrived on a Sunday evening (QF 42). There were delays in arriving and long queues for the visa on arrival which meant I picked up my 3 day visa at about 2230. I was here for 3 days, departing on Wednesday evening. At immigration on my way out of the country I had the unsettling experience of rasied eyebrows, pregnant pause and a declaration of "you stay here" as the official stepped out of his work area and disappeared behind a door with my little blue book. My favourite little blue book when I am overseas.

He returned some minutes later and declared that I had overstayed my visa. How? I got here on a Sunday night and am leaving on a Wednesday? M/T/W = 3 days!!?? Apparently not as S/M/T = 3 days and I had been here four according to them! After a futile attempt of trying to explain that 3 days equals 72 hours and I had technically been here with about 2 or 3 of them to spare I had to accept whatever their solution would be. Funnily enough it had something to do with a quantity of green currency from the bank of InGodwetrust. $20 lighter and (to my absolute jawdropping surprise) with a receipt for that same amount in my hand I was able to exit.

Now to the current situation. I arrived the other day on a SQ flight which arrived with 2 others. The queues were all about 50 metres long. I go to the left where the APEC sign is to find it unmanned. A customs officer spies me and asks my business. Showing him my APEC card he then tries to direct me through the fast lane that only nationals can access via a smart card. Seeing it wouldn't work he then escorted me in front of the lines down to the Diplomatic line. Striaght through, bingo!

My only problem is that I rarely travel Star Alliance and so have no status. The time saved in the line was largely used up waiting for my bag. Anyway my return QF flight tonight shouldn't have any nasty surprises waiting for me . I hope, but for the 2 hour anticipated journey from the office to the airport. Aaaahhh Jakarta.