APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[vt]

I think there term for business person is a bit different in meaning to maybe what you have interpretted or what a normal person would interpret as.

I applied as I have aimport/export business with alot of sourcing from asia. Specifically China where I have a factory there.

They may have taken you primary role as project manager to mean you are in paid employment and do not contribute to "trade and investment". It would possibly have been different if your role was the sale/manufacture of such equipment.

At least you have been given a please explain email I guess.

I would second the suggestion that you provide previous travels to the apec economies as well as filling out the role of sales.

I only have a limited understanding of the criteria as I only looked into it in my perspective.

Someone in a similar position/role may provide a better understanding explanation of this please explain email.

 

[dot]

Well, I got the same email as sue_in_oz. I simply responded with what I did and how it would benefit the companies that I dealt with in the APEC member countres. Basically, I detailed the individual industries that would benefit from my work and how they would benifet. It took me about 15-20 mins to wordsmith... no dramas.

Some collegues in a similar role to mine had their application go straight through, and looking at their application form, it wasn't significantly different to mine. I am not sure why I was singled out for additional justification, but, sue_in_oz, I wouldn't worry about it - pen a response that provides a justification based on their issueing criteria and you should be fine.

 

[one9]

Sounds like other countries are getting annoyed such a huge percentage of the issued cards are to Australians! Or maybe AU is getting closer to their limit (was it 10,000?)

 

[infoworks]

As mentioned earlier, getting a CEO letter clarifying and supporting goes a long way. I did that for my son when he joined the business and I confirmed he travels/will travel as my regional production manager, and Immi accepted it. I also assume as part of their checks they can access immigration records of when applicants have left/returned to Oz and that may have some bearing on their approach.

 

[jaltraveller]

Have received 10 clearances so far on my card but the one I need most is Japan. Indicated on my application form this clearance was a priority. From experience, how long does the Japan clearance usually take?

 

[cssaus]

After applying for the card back in November 2005, I received in the mail yesterday a replacement APEC that finally included all of the eligible economies.

 

[jasonja3]

From experience, how long does the Japan clearance usually take?

Japan took about 5 months for me.

 

[Febs]

Well that would explain it...

I applied for an APEC card about 6-8 weeks ago, and ticked "Australia and Japan" only for my interim card. They charged my CC weeks ago, but the card still hasn't arrived.

Might try to call up when I get back and ask if I can have one with Australia-only. Truth be told, I want it for the US most.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Shano]

Quite amazing how inconsistent the processing times are. Japan took about 8 weeks for me, with all clearances gained in about 12 weeks.

 

[dot]

For me, Japan was one of the first to clear me (along with New Zealand, Hong Kong and China). The hold outs for me were Singapore and Bunei. I had all bar them after about 12 weeks, but then had to wait another 4 months for them to come through.

 

[jonesy]

There doesn't seem to be much logic on which countries process fastest. Japan was very quick for me when I applied two years ago but China took 16 months!!

In the meantime I got two interim cards - the first so that I could do a Japan trip where it actually rescued my boss and I from a mile long queue in Narita aiport - we didnt know there was a public holiday weekend and a security guy saw my card and marched us to the head of the line! The second so that could go easily into anywhere BUT China (which is my #1 destination).

The card is well worth the money as it really shortcuts the hell out of many understaffed, overcrowded airports in Aisa - but I wonder if it takes as long to renew as it took to obtain???

 

[Febs]

Just called them up (as http://www.businessmobility.org/key/CardStatus.asp wasn't working) and apparently I've been approved for Brunei, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, HK, Japan, Singaore and a few others).

Seems like they weren't going to send an interim card out (I'd asked for one for Japan), but I asked again and they were more than happy to do so. Fingers crossed it arrives soon.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Shano]

Seems like they weren't going to send an interim card out (I'd asked for one for Japan), but I asked again and they were more than happy to do so. Fingers crossed it arrives soon.

I requested two interim cards. The first arrived in about 8 days, the second only 3 days after emailing the request through

 

[QF WP]

This has reminded me that I have never asked for them to send my card. With some possible travelling to these countries early in 2008, better check to see whether any more countries have been added since my last list at post 40.

 

[Shano]

This has reminded me that I have never asked for them to send my card. With some possible travelling to these countries early in 2008, better check to see whether any more countries have been added since my last list at post 40.

The card should automatically be sent when all economies have cleared - two years and you are still waiting

 

[NM]

The card should automatically be sent when all economies have cleared - two years and you are still waiting

At what point are you charged? At application time or when they send you your first card?

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

At what point are you charged? At application time or when they send you your first card?

Application (technically when they accept your application, as you can be asked to justify it)

 

[Febs]

Seems like they weren't going to send an interim card out (I'd asked for one for Japan), but I asked again and they were more than happy to do so. Fingers crossed it arrives soon.

Received the interim card today. Australia, Chile, China, HK, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan.

Happy man.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[sierragolf]

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

Arrived at MEL, took my wife and child along, and was sandwiched between crew. Near view, the immi officer shouted at me that the lane was for crew only. Explained that I had APEC card. OK. Once at counter, was reprimanded that use of lane is for card holder only and that I was holding up the line and that family members could not be cleared there. Wife and child obviously frightened to bits while I lean forward and asked if I may have permission. Immi officer said "No!" but asked that the two accompanying to step forward and be processed. It was loud and embarrassing.

On departure, we obviously did not attempt to use the APEC lane. We were then sandwiched between PRC travellers. And it was mayhem with the frontline screeners asking for passports and boarding cards. Officers were stern and had assumed that I didn't know what they were saying (e.g. "...get them to show their bloody boarding passes...".

We've had a wonderful time being well treated by everyone in MEL except at the airport. Actually the airport is fine, it's just some of the CIQ officers. The departure passport control desk was fine. I was quite pleased to see many Asians manning xRay screening and passport control stations.

It should be interesting to research on what's running in some of these CIQ officers' minds :shock:, e.g. ?difference in their behaviour before and after getting on the job and to what extent they may be racist. It always puzzles me as to the constant source of irritation to CIQ officers :evil:.

 

[serfty]

Welcome to AFF sierragolf ...

Interesting handle - does that mean you are QF SG?