APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[moa999]

I thought CAN was the same as the USA - it doesn't provide a visa, just the express line.

My MEX approval on the otherhand has come through if I relogin to the businessmobility site.
Had to dig through the archive to find the application number

 

[Shano]

My MEX approval on the otherhand has come through if I relogin to the businessmobility site.
Had to dig through the archive to find the application number

Same for me too.

I then emailed abtc enquiring when the new card would be issued, got a reply a few days later and the new card about a week after that.

 

[NM]

I thought CAN was the same as the USA - it doesn't provide a visa, just the express line.

That is also my understanding. So CAN will not appear on the back of anyone's card. They provide express lane access, not pre-clearance or visa alternate.

 

[QF WP]

I've just realised that after moving house 18 monthas ago, I misplaced my letter with my code on it in my filing and never requested my card to be printed. Found the letter last weekend and then realised that it was linked to my old passport (replaced 3 months ago). I wonder what happens now - I'd better email them.

 

[Damien]

You need to re-apply using your new passport number. The card doesn't transfer across passports.

 

[infoworks]

You need to re-apply using your new passport number. The card doesn't transfer across passports.

Depending on the time gap, they will transfer the card across to a new passport for free. My son renewed his passport within a couple of months of the card being issued, and even though we filled out everything expecting to pay, requalify, etc, Immi swapped it across painlessly and quickly. Email them and explain and they will let you know, but if it's only 3 months you may be in luck.

 

[tscharke]

a disappointing observation this morning at YOW...no APEC express lane on the exit!

 

[garyjohn951]

You need to re-apply using your new passport number. The card doesn't transfer across passports.

AND PASS GO and PAY 200.00

 

[cssaus]

Still waiting to hear when the APEC card is going to be recognised at Australian airports to use the priority clearance lanes for AQIS.

As stated on the APEC web site "The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) cuts though the red tape of business travel". In my opinion, having an APEC should have the same status as the priority cards that airlines are handing out to their premium passengers when going thru AQIS clearance.

 

[simongr]

It does refer to cutting red tape rather than making the process faster so in theory no need to give AQIS clearance/priority. Also not all airports actually have express lanes for priority pax at quaratine (or equivalent) or immigration so matching to premium status is not a push either I would think.

 

[cssaus]

I've been reading about how China is tightening up visa applications leading up to the Olympic games. I was wondering if anyone has heard if there's been any affect to entry using for APEC card holders.

 

[infoworks]

I haven't heard one way or the other, and plan to aviod going to China around that time (but will be there next month, so will see then). Given the clearances that take place to be approved for entry, i doubt APEC card holders will be affected.

 

[garyjohn951]

RE: China without APEC Card

This is how I have been advised the new China Visa System will work for regular business people by our people in China.

1/ Obtain single entry Visa in Australia.

2/ When you arrive in China at your destination, obtain paperwork from your business contact and go to local Visa office in the city the business is in and then you will be issued with a multi-entry 6 months Visa.

 

[Damien]

My understanding is that people with China on their APEC cards still won't need a visa to enter China. Obviously, check that before departure...

 

[garyjohn951]

My understanding is that people with China on their APEC cards still won't need a visa to enter China. Obviously, check that before departure...

Ye APEC card holders are ok, no Visa.

My reference is to people without APEC Cards.

If you only travel to China and nowhere else even if regularly you can't get an APEC Card

 

[cssaus]

If you only travel to China and nowhere else even if regularly you can't get an APEC Card

Can you expand on this. I thought the target for APEC card holders were for those who had a requirement for regular travel throughout the APEC economies.

 

[Shano]

Can you expand on this. I thought the target for APEC card holders were for those who had a requirement for regular travel throughout the APEC economies.

Interestingly, when I applied for my card last year I had only made 1 trip to an APEC economy in the last 7 years and my applications was approved. I had made multiple trips in the 5 or so years prior to that, but do they really check your travel history?

I would have thought if you could show a compelling reason for business travel to APEC economy/ies there would not be any problem with getting a card.

 

[dot]

If you only travel to China and nowhere else even if regularly you can't get an APEC Card

I disagree. The APEC BT card is for people who travel regularly (I recall 2-3 times per annum being their definition of regular) to APEC member countries. It does not say that you must travel to multiple member nations.

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

• [FONT=&quot]Is a passport holder of a participating economy i.e. citizen (or a [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Hong Kong[/FONT][FONT=&quot] permanent resident with any valid travel document); [/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Travels regularly to conduct trade and investment activities in the APEC region; and [/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Has not been convicted of a criminal offence. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

 

[dot]

While we are discussing the APEC BT card and China, there is a note on the businessmobility site that says:

UPDATE: China has not been processing Australian applicants since early March. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has not yet been advised when processing by China will resume. Australian ABTC applicants who intend to travel to China, and do not have Chinese pre-clearance, will need to apply separately for a visa for entry to China. Please note that China is recognising all existing Chinese pre-clearances.

So it would appear that unless you already have a card, you wont be able to get the Chinese clearances until they start processing again. This could be a pain for my renewal later this year.:evil:

 

[cssaus]

So it would appear that unless you already have a card, you wont be able to get the Chinese clearances until they start processing again. This could be a pain for my renewal later this year.:evil:

Obviously ties in the with the stricter visa application process now being applied to coincide with the Olympics.