APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[one9]

I came through the new BKK airport today. Large and IMHO a blend of HKG and KLIA, lots of concrete inside and sails on the outside. Immigration was fairly quiet and is certainly more spacious than the old airport, counters are "zig zagged" and the counters are in pairs and more open than the old "boxes" (more like paired check in counters).

I saw no APEC/Diplomatic signs and as there were no lines it wasn't an issue. I asked the immigration lady who "stamped me" but she said she didn't know and thought they didn't have them at the new airport. She was much more interested in the length of my stay and not particularly helpful. I couldn't hang around as I had to get downtown for meetings.

On may way out on Sunday I will investigate further if I can.

I arrived at the new BKK airport on Sunday and could not see any lane for APEC/Diplomatic. I walked all the way to the left, and then back to the middle. (I didn't look all the way to the right). However there were plenty of of counters and staff and no lines anyway.

On exiting BKK, I flew Thai airways business class. Thai Airways Business and First Class have a seperate section for checkin and their own immigration. There were four counters for first/business immigration. No lines.

 

[infoworks]

My exit from BKK last sunday was at 6.30am and it was quiet, but still didn't see any "appropriate" lanes. I flew SQ F and didn't have the Thai benefit, although I did have access to the Thai F lounge which IMHO is still trying to get it's act together.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

infoworks - how is int->int transfers at NBK? Is it as easy as at Don Muang? Perhaps even easier if the transfer check in system is better (Don Muang was a pain if arrive at a time when your onward airline check in wasn't open).

 

[infoworks]

The signs for it seemed confusing to me, and as I was staying in BKK I didn't have to use transfer, I didn't investigate closely, but it appeared as simple as going upstairs (escalators or elevators available) located fairly centrally, but well before immigration, I came in from the C side and, like DM, it seems you can walk across to the other side of the terminal facing immigration without getting trapped there.

 

[moa999]

Chinese approvals.

FYI my APEC Application number (applied for in the last week) is in the mid 12xx_ range.
I did a search for other numbers to see at what level China (PRC) seems to have been generally approved for.

Appears that only entries under 45xx have PRC approval,

Assuming that the APEC numbers are issued broadly sequentially (although there are some numbers that are not valid) meaning China has something like 8,000 outstanding Australian applications or so...

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

The signs for it seemed confusing to me, and as I was staying in BKK I didn't have to use transfer, I didn't investigate closely, but it appeared as simple as going upstairs (escalators or elevators available) located fairly centrally, but well before immigration, I came in from the C side and, like DM, it seems you can walk across to the other side of the terminal facing immigration without getting trapped there.

Thanks - I'll find out for myself in a couple of weeks.

 

[infoworks]

I fly in again 17 Nov (SQ 62) out 19 Nov (CX to HKG), if timings coincide. I am working both days of the weekend.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I'll have to check my itin, but don't think so. My next trip through there is this month.

 

[one9]

Chinese approvals.

FYI my APEC Application number (applied for in the last week) is in the mid 12xx_ range.
I did a search for other numbers to see at what level China (PRC) seems to have been generally approved for.

Appears that only entries under 45xx have PRC approval,

Assuming that the APEC numbers are issued broadly sequentially (although there are some numbers that are not valid) meaning China has something like 8,000 outstanding Australian applications or so...

I got my Chinese approval a couple of months after receiving Australian approval. I called the lady in the Sydney office a few times requesting her to do her best to get it for me quickly. My application number is 9xx_

 

[caggs]

It's been a long time now since I went through Guangzhou, but my memory is it's a long, bust strainght walk, with no less bureaucracy, etc.

Have just returned from Canton Fair - Guangzhou East railway Station has no APEC line, however Hong Kong end does. It is in the middle with the HK residents.

Just need someone to find my card, lost somewhere between Guangzhou East immigration and HK immigration - bugger.

Caggs

 

[cowombat]

I got my Chinese approval a couple of months after receiving Australian approval. I called the lady in the Sydney office a few times requesting her to do her best to get it for me quickly. My application number is 9xx_

Mine is number 7xx_ - got PRC onto it almost a year ago, Nov 2005. I also dropped a note to the very helpful folks at the Dept requesting priority for PRC as I go there reasonably often. It took about 8 weeks or so, as best as I remember.

 

[moa999]

THanks useful to know.
Have also sent a request asking for expedited PRC.

After 3 wks I have the following
Australia, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore

I gather you get quite a lot in the 4-6wk window

 

[infoworks]

Immi told me that part of the country agreements was an agreed processing time (6 weeks if I recall correctly - but I can't swear to it). Some are better at meeting that than others, obviously.

You must also remember that all countries are processing applications form all participating economies, so China is innundated with Aussies as well as Malaysians, Singaporeans, etc. I am sure the screening and bureaucracy for any economy will have some impact on speed of response. Australia seems to be the main "pusher" which is good.

 

[gaia]

I got my Chinese approval a couple of months after receiving Australian approval. I called the lady in the Sydney office a few times requesting her to do her best to get it for me quickly. My application number is 9xx_

My application number is 5xx_ & 21 months old. I visit China 2 to 4 times per month every month. ABTC staff have been very helpful in putting forward my case for around a year now but no breakthrough yet.

I live in hope.

 

[dgruber]

After a wait since Dec 05, today I received my card which was mailed to my office.

I am pleased that I am cleared for ALL 17 economies. The main hold up was with China (PRC) and Peru.

I am really glad about China

My boss suggests that India should come on board.

The quality of the card with the hologram is impressive and for once my photo looks decent.

Thanks to the most helpful Immi dept and yes I have referred friends and colleagues, although some are a bit hesitant.

 

[mileagemax]

Anybody seen dedicated APEC lanes at the new BKK airport? Thanks!

 

[infoworks]

There weren't any on day two of airport operations (as posted earlier) and I've not seen any posts to suggest it's changed yet. I'll be there again in 2 weeks, and I'll be looking out for them then.

 

[gaia]

Anybody seen dedicated APEC lanes at the new BKK airport? Thanks!

It's the diplomatic channel. Yesrterday the woman looked at my non-diplomatic passport and asked "APEC?", to which I flashed the card and she very helpfully expedited me through.

 

[infoworks]

Whereabouts is the diplomatic channel in the new BKK airport?

 

[gaia]

Whereabouts is the diplomatic channel in the new BKK airport?

Passport channels are signed Thai, Foreign and one Diplomatic.

On departure Diplomatic is the middle one. It was closed last Friday and the closest channel (Thai in this case) processed me.

On arrival it was about 3 from the left.

You can't miss them on either departure or arrival.