APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[Damien]

A good news story on why this card is da bomb.

Call it 'da bomb' when you go through Australian immigration and see what response you get!

 

[one9]

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.

Jakarta is a bit of a strange situation. I went to the APEC lane on the far left, and then I was told to go to the diplomatic lane on the far right.

 

[Sorky]

Too many good stories = Too many people getting the card = less of an advantage

I think we need to hide this thread

 

[serfty]

Too many good stories = Too many people getting the card = less of an advantage

I think we need to hide this thread

Not really, it does cost $155 to apply for one and you would really need to travel O/S to APEC countries more than once a quarter for it to start being cost effective (even though that would be generally tax deductable).

More than that, you have to be able to demonstrate a need for it.

BTW, the link as published in the first post is not onger valid: Here is the current one: APEC Business Travel Card Scheme .

 

[one9]

Not really, it does cost $155 to apply for one and you would really need to travel O/S to APEC countries more than once a quarter for it to start being cost effective (even though that would be generally tax deductable).

More than that, you have to be able to demonstrate a need for it.

BTW, the link as published in the first post is not onger valid: Here is the current one: APEC Business Travel Card Scheme .

It is hard to put a value on convenience and saving of time. Different people value time differently (and rightly so) and different people value convenience differently. Just one trip may justify the $155 for some people.

 

[infoworks]

On one of my frequent trips thru the region, have my partner (domestic) in tow and APEC card has saved a good hour in each of HKG (in) and NRT (in and out) with immigration officers kindly allowing her through with me. NRT has never been a problem this way, HKG can be.

Now if only in Sydney they would stop lining up "ordinary" pax ahead in the line and allowing aircrew priority, or on the QF side, program in arriving flights so the eye scanner will work. last 2 times the flights hadn't been programmed into their system (QF20 and CX139)

 

[Bradd_N]

Jakarta is a bit of a strange situation. I went to the APEC lane on the far left, and then I was told to go to the diplomatic lane on the far right.

Don`t worry, be happy. But it`s interesting was u told by who?

------------------------------------------------------------
Credit Card Offers - Training Courses at UK Virtual College

 

[infoworks]

My experience with JKT is they are pedantic about only using the right lane for processing APEC entry. I have tried using other lanes, especially at times when the right lane has (as often is the case) a "complicated" paperwork case ahead being dealt with and no sight of a near-term resolution, but the other lanes refuse to help, even though they have noone in line.

 

[one9]

Anyone been to Tibet with the APEC card?

Foreigners to Tibet require a Tibet Travel Permit.

However Chinese passport holders and I believe Hong Kong passport holders and I believe diplomat passport holders do not require the permit.

Given the fact that an APEC cardholder does not need a Chinese visa, does an APEC cardholder require a Tibet Travel Permit?

 

[infoworks]

I am pretty sure Tibet is not included under China. It is certainly not a "entry point" that accepts the APEC card.

 

[one9]

I am pretty sure Tibet is not included under China. It is certainly not a "entry point" that accepts the APEC card.

But to get into Tibet, I would have already entered China from Beijing/Shanghai. Tibet is part of China (disputed), so really I am remaining in China.

The instructions say that to enter Tibet you need to have a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit. (except for China, HK and diplomat passports). So I don't have a Chinese visa if I enter by APEC card - do I still need the travel pass?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I am pretty sure Tibet is not included under China. It is certainly not a "entry point" that accepts the APEC card.

Pretty sure one9 would still need the travel permit. Think of Tibet as a country within a country. China is controlling access to it. Just because you're in China legally doesn't mean you can visit Tibet.

 

[sully]

Geez, I love our egalitarian country. I went down the left hand side this moning after arriving in from Singapore on BA. With delays the other planes were there too and so the queues were pretty large. I walk past the hordes and wait for the one person in front of me to be processed. About 3 or 4 voices questioned why I was in that line and how come they had to wait. I just said this line was for special travellers, couldn't be buggered to explain why.

I must say it is fun watching all the rest running for the lines.

 

[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

Bom Dia from Brasil.

A quick update to say that I received my interim card just before travelling on 08 Sept, and it did take about a week to post out. At that stage I was pre-cleared for 12 economies, which was pretty good for just over a month from initial application.

I am very pleased that I waited for Chile to be added, as it saved me USD $59 in reciprocal visa fees when I landed there on Saturday.

Best regards to all,

tb

 

[dannyb]

Hi guys,
I'm new here on the forum. Thanks for all your help. I googled APEC Travel Card and got this thread.

I applied for my card about a month ago and have about 10 countries approved. My PA tells me that the staff were super friendly and helpful.

Everyone mentions SIN (airport code), but can I confirm that the SGP on the back of my card is actually the country code for Singapore and I'm approved?

Also, last time I was in BKK (about a month ago - no card sadly at that time), I looked out for the APEC queue and it seemed to have GONE. Now, of course that was Don Muang and I know they're moving to Suvanaphumi - any idea if BKK has dropped the scheme? I sure hope not, I'm going there ONE DAY after the major airport swap (29 Sep) and I'm assuming it will be chaos!

Thanks.

 

[infoworks]

SGP is indeed SIN. Don Muang won't happen after Thursday 28th when they use new airport. They are still a part of the scheme and look for diplomatic or similar lane. I expect to pass through there Friday too...it will be "interesting".

I am at MNL and the card just heled me jump 200 people. At MNL the right hand fast track lane is the place to go. (left side inbound)

 

[dannyb]

Thanks, Infoworks. I'll let you know how I go.

 

[caggs]

I applied for the APEC card 12 months ago and am still waiting for the CHina clearance - has anyone got Chona latey - how long did it take?

I'm off to China in 3 weeks, so will have to get a paper visa.

Thanks

 

[infoworks]

Caggs, I would do a few things:

1. Check with Immi and ask if they can chase up China. Immi are responsive and will tell you how the situation is. China is slow but usually not 12 months slow.

2. Get a paper visa if time is against you. 1 above may save the cost.

3. When you get there go to Apec lane (Shanghai is on the far right) anyway and show your APEC card, and as long as you have a visa they will be responsive and process you (at least that was my experience before my clearance came through) and since they have been just as obliging.

 

[dannyb]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone been to Suvanabhumi and seen if there are APEC lanes there?

(The new Bangkok airport has been working as NBK for about a week now with limited flights).

Thanks.