APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[Shano]

I found on my most recent trip at each of CAN, HKG and MEL there was just a cursory glance at the card. Little interest shown in passport number on the APEC card.

 

[jasonja3]

I used my card in SIN last month without clearance.

I am still waiting for Peru and Singapore. It would seem there is not much logic or a pattern on which countries are slow. China, HKG and Chinese Taipei were some of my first countries cleared.

 

[cssaus]

Recent experiences with the use of the card:

Last week flew into Hong Kong at midday where the visitor lines were snaking back to the entrance of immigration. No one waiting at the "Resident/APEC" lines and went thru straight away.

Flew back into Singapore at 7.00pm, all visitor lines were queued right back and so were the resident's lines. Unlike previous times, no APEC holder lines were posted so had to line up with visitors

Arrived back in Sydney at 7.30pm, got to immigration, no lines for either visitors, residents or APEC holders. Also, the crew/APEC counter was not manned so went straight thru the residents line without delay:-|
​

 

[simongr]

Recent experiences with the use of the card:

Last week flew into Hong Kong at midday where the visitor lines were snaking back to the entrance of immigration. No one waiting at the "Resident/APEC" lines and went thru straight away.
​

Did you happen to see how long the HK Frequent Visitor cardholder lines were?

 

[cssaus]

Did you happen to see how long the HK Frequent Visitor cardholder lines were?

What's the difference to the APEC lines?

Looking over to the other side of the APEC lines there were people going thru booths there but I assumed these were regular resident lines and the lines were quite small.

 

[jasonja3]

The frequent Visitors card line is usually roped off to the right of visitors with an attendant at the end of the que taking your card number etc, I assume for their database for card holder activity and future renewals.

I sometimes use this if it is closer or the APEC que has a few people waiting, plus it will help me renew the card when due...

 

[serfty]

Did you happen to see how long the HK Frequent Visitor cardholder lines were?

Arriving ~5:30am in April; the HKFVC queue was closed until about 5:50am by which time we had reached the front of the non-residents' queue.

Coming thru immigration on departure ~4pm the non-residents' queues were each about 50 people/20 metres deep, The FVC queue was operating had about 2 people in it. I and mrs serfty walked up; they scanned the barcode on the back of my card (using a portable unit) which validated it and we were through to the wing about 2 minutes later.

(Note, this was the south end (mainly CX) immigration area, we had checked in at the Airport Express Station so used the area nearest the wing. It is quite possible the northern immigration area was less crowded at that time of the day.)

 

[simongr]

Thanks as always guys. I have applied for the card and just harassed them to get it issued (and have realised I only applied on 29 May) - if I get my card before 7 July then I will take a side trip to the big buddha on my way to the UK. If not then the trip might be deferred.

S

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Thanks as always guys. I have applied for the card and just harassed them to get it issued (and have realised I only applied on 29 May) - if I get my card before 7 July then I will take a side trip to the big buddha on my way to the UK. If not then the trip might be deferred.

S

Don't go on the cable car!

 

[simongr]

Oh - that was exactly what I planned to do. Not fun?

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Oh - that was exactly what I planned to do. Not fun?

They had An Incident over the weekend.

Hong Kong cable car crashes to ground - New Zealand's source for travel news on Stuff.co.nz

Whenever I read a story about engineering in Asia with lines like "Seven senior staff... resigned shortly before the opening citing a lack of transparency" I start to worry.

 

[jasonja3]

Thanks as always guys. I have applied for the card and just harassed them to get it issued (and have realised I only applied on 29 May) - if I get my card before 7 July then I will take a side trip to the big buddha on my way to the UK. If not then the trip might be deferred.

S

I applied from Sydney, and had it back from HKG in 9 working days...........

 

[straitman]

Oh - that was exactly what I planned to do. Not fun?

The cable car was actually great fun, however not so sure now...

 

[Shano]

Well, just received my final BTC with all 17 approvals. Took about 3 months in total from time of application.

 

[infoworks]

My renewal is still short two economies after 3 months - PNG (I go there) and Peru!

I requested an interim card on Friday as I'll not be visting either of the above soon and my old card is about to expire.

According to immi there is a shortage of card stock at the moment and they are being selective about issuing cards:

There are currently some problems with the supply of stock for printing cards, and non-urgent cards are taking 3-4 weeks to arrive. By doing this it means that I can still process urgent cards immediately - so please let me know if the card is required more urgently than this. Thank you for your understanding in this matter and assistance in ensuring that all applicants can receive cards prior to their travel.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

My renewal is still short two economies after 3 months - PNG (I go there) and Peru!

I requested an interim card on Friday as I'll not be visting either of the above soon and my old card is about to expire.

According to immi there is a shortage of card stock at the moment and they are being selective about issuing cards:

There are currently some problems with the supply of stock for printing cards, and non-urgent cards are taking 3-4 weeks to arrive. By doing this it means that I can still process urgent cards immediately - so please let me know if the card is required more urgently than this. Thank you for your understanding in this matter and assistance in ensuring that all applicants can receive cards prior to their travel.

I got the same email, since I am doing budgets etc at the moment I emailed back saying to just issue it when they get chance (ie not urgent) and my interim card arrived this morning anyway.

 

[tscharke]

received my interim card today (all countries minus Peru & Indonesia) - 8 working days after the request

 

[Chucksta]

If i have an APEC card, can both my wife and I use the APEC lanes? Or just the holder of the card?

i.e. Are you allowed to bring people travelling with you through the APEC lane?

thanks

Chucksta

 

[sully]

If i have an APEC card, can both my wife and I use the APEC lanes? Or just the holder of the card?

i.e. Are you allowed to bring people travelling with you through the APEC lane?

thanks

Chucksta

I think the official line is that only you can access the priority lanes simply for the reason that you are the travelling businessman who is a frequent traveller to the APEC countries. Some places are OK. I have heard that when you return home the aussie immigration people are OK with it. I would think that if you tried it on in most places the non card-holder would be booted.

 

[cssaus]

I think the official line is that only you can access the priority lanes simply for the reason that you are the travelling businessman who is a frequent traveller to the APEC countries. Some places are OK. I have heard that when you return home the aussie immigration people are OK with it. I would think that if you tried it on in most places the non card-holder would be booted.

Going thru immigration here in Sydney (both outbound and inbound) I've not had a problem fronting up with my APEC Card with my wife. I've also not had any problems going into Singapore with my wife and card.