APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[moa999]

Re: At last! The USA

Some US press on the issues:
Tennessean.com - Nashville news from The Tennessean, MUSIC CITY U.S.A

Buried in a White House list of accomplishments from the summit was cheery news for foreign travelers: A faster way to get through U.S. airports.
It's the APEC Business Travel Card. Don't leave home without it.
The U.S. plans to start recognizing the card, which has existed since 1997.
Business travelers carrying one can look forward to speedier processing in fast-track lanes at major U.S. airports.

Cardholders must have a passport from a participating country, travel regularly to conduct trade in the APEC region and have no criminal record.
They also don't have to apply individually for visas or entry permits every time they travel to a country in the program. The card becomes their visa.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking to world business leaders at the summit on Saturday, touted the card as a way to foster trade and travel.

"Everywhere I go, I hear about the visa issues," Rice said. "Let me assure you that the United States of America wants to be open - open and secure - but open to a free flow of people."

 

[simongr]

Thats actually great news - just another 16 months until I can apply for citizenship and then apply for this Mind you - who knows if I will be travelling in 16 months...

 

[infoworks]

Don't hold your breath all you APEC terrorists!!!

 

[cssaus]

No mention of the date as to when the card will start to be accepted. I suppose card holders will need to apply to have USA clearance included and to have their card re-issued.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I am guessing current card-holders needn't worry, their card will come up for renewal before US gets around to implementing it.

Given all the flight diversions whenever someone spots a unusually spelt name, perhaps they need to put APEC lanes in at Bangor?

 

[moa999]

Sent an email to the Australian APEC Card team.
The answer is GOOD - IMMEDIATE fast-track via air-crew lanes

Email from APEC Unit

The US will not appear on the back of the card, but listed below is how you will be able to use the card on entering the US.

Effective from 19 November 2006, all APEC Cardholders from all 17 ABTC member economies will be entitled to use 'fast-track' immigration lanes upon entry (currently designated for air-crew) at all international airports in the United States. Airports have also been advised to provide signage to indicate these new arrangements, where possible. (The United States does not have an exit immigration process, so there will be no additional benefits to APEC Cardholders upon departure).

However, it is important to note that APEC Cardholders will still need to present valid passports and visas if required by existing United States law for their national passports. Effective from 19 November 2006, the US Government will also provide expedited visa interview scheduling for APEC Cardholders at United States Embassies and Consulates in APEC economies, if a visa is required for the Cardholder to travel to the United States (for example, if they are not from an economy that is eligible for Visa Waiver).

 

[NM]

Sent an email to the Australian APEC Card team.
The answer is GOOD - IMMEDIATE fast-track via air-crew lanes

NOw that is great news. Time to apply for the card now!

 

[simongr]

Wow thats great news for some people. Man I wish I had sorted my perm residency 2 years earlier than I did (I was elligible just didnt get around to it) This would make my US trips a lot easier

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

that is good news - hope it lasts longer than the other expedited entry programs tried in US

 

[infoworks]

Great news. That will hopefully ease my travels there a bit. Now to tackle the x-ray, etc screening, still a nightmare.

Sounds like it's a card to use the lane, rather than a business clearance like other member countries. This is great if it helps speed processing like elsewhere. Did they elaborate:

1. If this might change and if/when we should apply? (I have a business visa for US already, but like Indonesia, Taipei, for example, having the card eliminates the visa on arrival issue/cost, and for all other economies it implies you are ok for business travel/related work).

2. If this is the same for entry to US, say from a canadian immigration point, not just all US international arrival points?

 

[Sorky]

Woo-Hoo

I'm off to the US tomorrow! I'll keep my eyes open for the signs and if the line is HUGE (as it was the last time I entered) I'll try and take the fast track!

 

[straitman]

Woo-Hoo

I'm off to the US tomorrow! I'll keep my eyes open for the signs and if the line is HUGE (as it was the last time I entered) I'll try and take the fast track!

Really great for those who travel enough to use the APEC card. Please don't look down at the rest of us too severely. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[serfty]

Woo-Hoo

I'm off to the US tomorrow! I'll keep my eyes open for the signs and if the line is HUGE (as it was the last time I entered) I'll try and take the fast track!

I would hope that the people you have to deal with have been advised of the new LOTFAP use of the APEC card.

 

[cssaus]

I'll be very interested to hear of people's actual experiences of using the card especially at entry points at SFO and LAX.

 

[Sorky]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

LAX - Cruised up to the Crew Line and asked "APEC?" - YES!

[I had a seat near the front and got to immigration quickly and the normal line was short but I just had to know!]

No signs and the guy at the desk had never done one, but luckily for me, the guy I asked knew all about it and told him - "Same as anyone else, just get to use this lane".

Now if only they could work out a way to make the baggage get through quicker so I don't have to wait for it!

 

[infoworks]

fan-bloody-tastic! Well done!
Thanks.

 

[gaia]

Absolutely great news. This'll make the LAX part of the jouyrney less of an ordeal.

 

[RTWFF]

SFO report

Monday 27 November, SFO, 0910. There is no signage as there is in, say, Sydney or Melbourne. However, heading over to the Crew Lane on the far left I eventually could see that the neon sign said "Crew Lane" in big red letters and underneath, scrolling, was the legend "APEC Business Travel Card Holders". I suspect mine was the first one that particular immigration officer had seen but certainly he didn't query my right to use the lane, just a close scrutiny of the card to see what it actually was, I guess. Through in about 3 minutes - given all the finger-printing nonsense they go in for, not bad

 

[one9]

Re: SFO report

Monday 27 November, SFO, 0910. There is no signage as there is in, say, Sydney or Melbourne. However, heading over to the Crew Lane on the far left I eventually could see that the neon sign said "Crew Lane" in big red letters and underneath, scrolling, was the legend "APEC Business Travel Card Holders". I suspect mine was the first one that particular immigration officer had seen but certainly he didn't query my right to use the lane, just a close scrutiny of the card to see what it actually was, I guess. Through in about 3 minutes - given all the finger-printing nonsense they go in for, not bad

I assume you still need to provide fingerprints when you go through the Crew/APEC lane?

 

[RTWFF]

Re: SFO report

I assume you still need to provide fingerprints when you go through the Crew/APEC lane?

I thought that was implied in my last sentence "Given all the finger-printing nonsense ..."