APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[infoworks]

I haven't found the smartgates (SYD) to be so effective with my new passport. Even the immi guys who come to help when I throw a tantrum think it's going to fail, then about half the time it will give the green light. My feeling is the digital images and reality are not so close.

I tend to look see where I think I'll have the advantage, especially when the APEC line is clogged with air crew or (heaven forfend) other APEC card holders!!!

 

[serfty]

Note this is the smartgate trial, I do not yet have an ePassport.

Perhaps my mug does not change that much. I have had one failure in over 20 uses since I enrolled early 2005.

 

[infoworks]

I found the "original" trial to be more "accommodating" and reliable - maybe because the face scan was real time, than the new system - where it's based on the digital photo sent in for the passport. I now know why we are not allowed to smile - there is nothing to smile about on re-entry!

 

[serfty]

Makes a lot of sense ... Perhaps for my new passport, I shall arrange for my Mug shots to be taken upon arrival from o/s on a 10h+ flight preceded by a few hours in a QP ...

•(Getting a bit OT I guess - however it's sort of there in relation to my awaiting a new PP prior to arranging an APEC card.)

 

[vt]

Just to report the use of my shiny new APEC card on my recent trip.

HK - Locals lane, straight through. Officer knew what it was. Excellent. Both directions quite easy.

PEK - APEC lane, straight through. Officer again recognised the card. Only issue was going out on an early flight, noone was manning the lanes. so a 15 minute lineup at the normal lanes.

KUL - APEC lane, straight through. officer recognised card. In and Out quite easy and efficient.

SCl - Went to the APEC/Crew/Dimplomat lane and was told that the tourist lane was on the right. Kept indicating that I was showing the officer an APEC card. Also kept pointing to the sign above the officers head the big APEC and the APEC on my card. Eventually got one of the LAN pilots to tell the officer to read the sign above the counter. Didnt try using the card on outbound as I did not want the hassle.

MEL - Crew line, straight through. As an aside, they were filming Border Security. Its been a while since I entered the country through Melbourne, but it seemed very unorganised. May well have been airport management trying to create a scene for the film crew. There was a large backlog of passengers waiting for the 1 immigration officer to check the declaration slip to get into the lanes.

Hope this helps. Generally I found the APEC card greatly helpful. Since I am not going to South America anytime soon, I am not to worried about a repeat...yet. My main focus is on Asia, and on that front, the level of training is sufficient.

 

[cssaus]

Next month I'm going to be travelling on the KCR train from HK to Lo Wu Station in Shenzhen, China.

Anyone have any user experiences of going thru Chinese Immigration at this location with the APEC card? On the return, where does one go thru HK Immigration, at the same location?

 

[dot]

Next month I'm going to be travelling on the KCR train from HK to Lo Wu Station in Shenzhen, China.

Anyone have any user experiences of going thru Chinese Immigration at this location with the APEC card? On the return, where does one go thru HK Immigration, at the same location?

Hi cssaus, I did the train trip a few times earlier in the year. Immigration conrol is at Lo Wu for both directions. There are APEC lines in HK direction only which will save you a lot of time. On the Lo Wu -> HK direction, it is on the far right. Last time at Lo Wu it saved me about 25 mins (I know because I had to wait for some French collegues to get through the normal lines. I am not sure why there wasn't a APEC line when heading to Shenzhen - by all means have a look for one and let nme know if there is one there now.

Be aware that you have to pay for the train tickets in local curreny in cash - no credit cards accepted. So, from Shenzhen, you pay RMB, and from HK, you pay HK$ - although you might be able to use an Octopus card in Hong Kong for your ticket (not sure on that though).

 

[infoworks]

There is an APEC lane in Shenzhen as well, also to the right. It is a VIP/APEC lane.

Also be aware thet entering China via Lo Wu/Shenzhen they use different immigration and customs forms than entering by air. On the way out the departure form is the "standard" blue departure form.

 

[Febs]

Bah, could've realllllyy used the card arriving at LAX the other day. Is it just me or is TBIT immigration a LOT slower than T4? Maybe they stick the new graduates there...?

Pretty sure the card would've arrived by now, waiting at home for me...completely useless to me right now, ha.

 

[cssaus]

Be aware that you have to pay for the train tickets in local curreny in cash - no credit cards accepted. So, from Shenzhen, you pay RMB, and from HK, you pay HK$ - although you might be able to use an Octopus card in Hong Kong for your ticket (not sure on that though).

Thanks for that tip, I'll change up some money for Chinese currency in HK before heading over.

Looking at the KCR web site it looks as if the Octopus Card is accepted.

 

[infoworks]

Thanks for that tip, I'll change up some money for Chinese currency in HK before heading over.

Looking at the KCR web site it looks as if the Octopus Card is accepted.

Octopus card is accepted for the train.

 

[cssaus]

There is an APEC lane in Shenzhen as well, also to the right. It is a VIP/APEC lane.

Also be aware thet entering China via Lo Wu/Shenzhen they use different immigration and customs forms than entering by air. On the way out the departure form is the "standard" blue departure form.

I assume that entering China thru the APEC lane at Lo Wu station (or any other entry point for that matter) that by being a holder of an APEC travel card there's definitely no requirement to have a Chinese Visa in one's Passport.

 

[jasonja3]

You have assumed correctly!

Although when I am checking in for departure to China, my expired visa is invariably questioned in my passport, and then I need to show the APEC card also...

 

[dot]

I assume that entering China thru the APEC lane at Lo Wu station (or any other entry point for that matter) that by being a holder of an APEC travel card there's definitely no requirement to have a Chinese Visa in one's Passport.

Correct. I have been to China four times this year using the APEC BT Card, no dramas. Just put your card number in the space for Visa number on the immigration form.

 

[dot]

You have assumed correctly!

Although when I am checking in for departure to China, my expired visa is invariably questioned in my passport, and then I need to show the APEC card also...

Yep that happens to me (in China and Korea) - I have several old Chinese visas in my passport - I find that not everyone is familiar with the APEC card, but it has never failed to get me in yet despite sometimes the Immigration officer having to refer to his/her supervisor (worst case).

 

[cssaus]

Correct. I have been to China four times this year using the APEC BT Card, no dramas. Just put your card number in the space for Visa number on the immigration form.

Great.

Thanks for the tip about substituting the APEC card number for the Visa #.

 

[infoworks]

I have found China entry/exit to be really good about the APEC card, from Shanghai (2 lanes at the right now), Lo Wou and two other border crossings when I have been driven from remote Daya Bay back to HKG. They always look for visa by habit, but quickly recognise the APEC card.

 

[sue_in_oz]

Hi all APEC BTC gurus,

I applied for the card a couple of weeks ago & received the email below a couple of days ago.

Dear Applicant,

Just a quick email to acknowledge that we have received your application for an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC).

As part of our processing we must make sure that each applicant meets the eligibility criteria. The APEC Business Travel Card is specific in the type of travel it covers and is strictly limited to business travel for trade and investment purposes. As mentioned above it is absolutely crucial that each applicant meets the eligibility criteria as the clearances issued as a part of the application process are similar to visas, and we must ensure that they are appropriate for the travel you undertake.

To assist with this process, we would be grateful if you could provide a list of your activities whilst travelling in the APEC region, and explain if or how they relate to trade and/ or investment. We will hold your application until we hear from you.

In my application I stated that I was a project manager doing medical equipment & information systems installations, including pre-sales activities.

I note in the ABTC operating framework doco the eligibilty criteria as

"Eligibility Criteria
3.1.2 The Card will be available to business persons who:
• are citizens of the participating APEC economies or in the case of Hong Kong China, its permanent residents who hold Hong Kong permanent identity cards;
• have never been convicted of a criminal offence;
• hold a valid passport issued by the home economy and in the case of Hong Kong China, its permanent residents who hold a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport or a valid travel document issued by another country or territory;
• are bona fide business persons who may need to travel frequently on short term visits within the APEC region to fulfil business commitments.

3.1.3 A bona fide business person is taken to mean a person who is engaged in the trade of goods, the provision of services or the conduct of investment activities. It specifically does not include:
• the business person’s dependent spouse and children;
• persons who wish to engage in paid employment or a working holiday;
• professional athletes, news correspondents, entertainers, musicians, artists or persons engaged in similar occupations."

I therefore take this to mean I am eligible (and I do not meet any exclusion criteria).

However I am no wordsmith. I am hoping that one of you may be able to suggest some pertinent words for me to include in my response to the folk at the APEC unit.

Many thanks & kind regards

Sue

 

[jasonja3]

Interesting. I applied, no follow up calls, no nothin, just acceptance.

If you have already been travelling within the region for your role, I would include in your response some of your itineraries and clients to justify your travels, and any future travel plans. A letter from the G.M or CEO would also help IMO.

 

[Shano]

My primary role is as a project manager and on my form I put words like "business development", "market / project evaluation", "supplier evaluation".

I also do some commissioning of the products we install but excluded any reference to this on the application.