APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[moa999]

Now that China PRC appears to have gotten their act together.

Laggards are:
Brunei and
PNG.

Neither myself (nor any of the applicants around my number appear to have these countries)

 

[sully]

Me too aubs. Not that I really care about either at this stage.

 

[Damien]

Laggards are:
Brunei and
PNG.

Is PNG in the program now? That would explain why I haven't received my full card yet. I've had Brunei for a while now.

 

[RTWFF]

Yes PNG is one of the two I'm waiting for - but I've got clearance for Brunei. I'm not sure I'd ever want to go to either

 

[RTWFF]

Arrived LAX yesterday & went to the crew lane. ... Saved me at least 40 minutes.

Which terminal - UA or another?

 

[wantok]

I got PNG straight away, it came through the same time as AUS and NZ etc. Biggest hassles that I have had are Philippines (just got it Friday) Indonesia, nearly 12 months and STILL waiting and Brunei - But no problems with that, not on the radar.

BTW, I dont count myself lucky I got PNG so quick, but maybe had something to do with working and living there for a while.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Which terminal - UA or another?

I had a similar experience to Gaia, at the AA terminal (not sure which terminal Gaia was in).

Maybe 200-300 people ahead of me (from my flight and earlier arriving QF147). I wandered across to the Air Crew lane. One of the officers spotted me coming across and preemptively told me to go back to the main line, but after flashing my card, was happy to let me through the aircrew desk.

Probably saved myself about 30 minutes or so, and my luggage was already onto the carousel. I'm amazed how quickly they get the priority luggage off the plane at LAX.

 

[Soundguy]

Do I take it you folk all have clearance for Peru? That is the only one I don't have after about 9 months or so..... not that I plan to go there anytime soon.

 

[infoworks]

I travel to PNG regularly and the APEC card works well, they have a separate lane (POM only has 3 lanes!) and it has saved me $$$ in work visas worth more than the APEC card. Not to mention the savings from Indonesia and China. The only countries I haven't yet used the card are South American and Brunei.

In fact my 3 years are almost up and starting the renewal process next week 9as well as new passport).

 

[Sorky]

My last visit to LAX was rather strange...

I went to the crew lane but no one was at the desk so I just waited patiently . After a couple of minutes a guy went to the desk and as he did so he looked at me with a "what do you think you are doing" expression. I flashed the card. He nodded and continued into the booth to get started.

A female officer came over and asked what I was doing and I explained that I'm with APEC and I am supposed to use this lane. She'd never heard of it and ask the guy who'd just got behind the desk and he told her it was ok.

Then the guy at the US Citizens desk called me over and (while processing me) asked why I was standing there. On explaining yet again, he said, I thought we stopped all that and told me that next time I should line up in the correct place. I commented that there as no problems in November and he said "don't argue with me" so I shut up and nodded (do not mess with US Immigration officers).

I'm assuming this guy just didn't know the drill and that the crew-lane use is still available - anyone got any other experiences with LA?

 

[sully]

This expereince really suggests to me that as a community we should perhaps ask the Dept of Immigration to issue some clarification of the matter with the US officials. Surely even a politely worded letter from Australia could suffice so that they can see over there that we are acting in good faith and not just trying to take advantage of an unclear situation.

We have all experienced very good service from Canberra in receiving our cards and so it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask if they can act in an official manner regarding this issue

 

[Shano]

Am considering applying for the APEC BTC due to projected increase in travel to China and Malaysia over the next couple of years.

On previous visits to China I have had to organise a letter of invitation, which was then used to obtain a visa through the Chinese consulate in Melbourne.

Am I correct in assuming that with the BTC that this procedure no longer applies, and that the card alone will gain me entry to China for up to 60 days at a time?

 

[cssaus]

My last visit to LAX was rather strange...

I went to the crew lane but no one was at the desk so I just waited patiently . After a couple of minutes a guy went to the desk and as he did so he looked at me with a "what do you think you are doing" expression. I flashed the card. He nodded and continued into the booth to get started.

A female officer came over and asked what I was doing and I explained that I'm with APEC and I am supposed to use this lane. She'd never heard of it and ask the guy who'd just got behind the desk and he told her it was ok.

Then the guy at the US Citizens desk called me over and (while processing me) asked why I was standing there. On explaining yet again, he said, I thought we stopped all that and told me that next time I should line up in the correct place. I commented that there as no problems in November and he said "don't argue with me" so I shut up and nodded (do not mess with US Immigration officers).

I'm assuming this guy just didn't know the drill and that the crew-lane use is still available - anyone got any other experiences with LA?

Was this at the UA terminal or at the TBI terminal?

If I were you I'd be letting the friendly people at the Business & Mobility Group in Canberra know (the ones who administer the card) as they would be interested to hear about these sorts of incidents. The contact details are:

Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Ph: +61 2 6264 1457
Fax: +61 2 6264 3547
Email: [email protected]

A letter to the US Consul General wouldn't hurt either to complain about the fact that US Immigration Officials aren't honouring the commitment made by the US Secretary of State last November.

 

[Sorky]

November visit (worked a charm and it had only just started) I was flying with United, so I presume UA terminal.

January visit (has the little hickup) was with Qantas, so I assume TBI terminal.

It was recognised by one person, but another just decided to be a bit difficult - I'll do the letter thing if it ever becomes a serious issue, just keen to see that it is discussed.

 

[cssaus]

November visit (worked a charm and it had only just started) I was flying with United, so I presume UA terminal.

January visit (has the little hickup) was with Qantas, so I assume TBI terminal.

It was recognised by one person, but another just decided to be a bit difficult - I'll do the letter thing if it ever becomes a serious issue, just keen to see that it is discussed.

Check out the following links. You might want to make printed copies and have them with you just in case you encounter any future confrontations:

Remarks at the APEC CEO Summit

APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC): Frequently Asked Questions

 

[kingjf]

Hi Mal how do I apply for this necessary work tool.Please e-mail to [email protected]. Thank you for the tip , Regards john f king.

One of the important things to note about this card is that it is not available to everyone...

"Who is eligible

If you want to apply for the card, you need to be a business person who:

* holds a valid passport of a participating economy;
* travels frequently to conduct trade and investment activities within the APEC region; and
* has never been convicted of a criminal offence.
"

 

[straitman]

Hi Mal how do I apply for this necessary work tool.Please e-mail to [email protected]. Thank you for the tip , Regards john f king.

Use the link in Post #1 of this topic should do it.

p.s. ..and welcome to AFF from everyone here.

 

[one9]

Question regarding using your card with others

Hi,

When I have travelled with my girlfriend, we have both used the APEC lane in several countries (inc Australia) with no problems.

My question is whether you think it is ok (or if you do) use your card when travelling with collegues and/or friends and for you to all use the APEC lanes together?

 

[infoworks]

I think the card is for our specific business benefit. If you are travelling with colleagues, especially regularly, they could apply too or just join the other lines. I also have had my Son (who now has a card in his own right) and partner (she doesn't) go thru the APEC lanes with me without problems. But Ii has been occasional and I have always tried to minimise and respect the reasons for the card and its benefits. I have not done so with other colleagues.

Bottom line - occasionally is OK, but not habitually.

 

[Helot]

Fantastic card; told about it by my regular driver believe it or not.