APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[cssaus]

Has anybody used the APEC card for attending business meetings etc in Singapore?

I've just been told by our Singapore customer's HR department that the APEC card is not a visa... it just allows me to enter the country.

I've had the card for years and this is the first time that I've been stopped from attending a workplace without having an additional visa.

Called Singapore's MoM and was told that I needed to apply for a Social Visit pass upon arrival and then complete an eNotification to satisfy the visa requirements of Singapore.

Sounds like SG red tape to me and completely defeats the purpose of having SG on the APEC Card system!

Having travelled may times into Singpore on business to meet with clients etc., and even informing the immigration officer that the purpose of my visit to Singapore is for business meetings, I've never been informed that that I need to have anything other than the regular entry permit stamp that is given on entry. In fact, looking at the Singapore immigration card, there's not even anything on it that asks for the purpose of the visit.

It would appear that if you are intending to stay for a period longer than normally permitted by the social vist pass which is granted on entry into Singapore. Check the following link:

ICA - Business Visitor

 

[millesm]

I've phoned the MoM in Singapore and the Aust Immigration Dept (APEC Desk).

MoM said I must apply for a 'Social Visit Pass'.
APEC desk people said that's rubbish as the card is the Visa... they are now concerned about the MoM and somebody will call me back later to discuss further.

This is the first time I've ever had any trouble and I travel on it all the time. I think some upstart HR person in Singapore is just trying to give us grief to prove something to somebody. Oh well... it is their loss as they've spent millions on our software and it won't do much if I don't go over and show them how to use it and I'd rather spend time at home then go to SG for a week of meetings!

 

[cssaus]

MoM said I must apply for a 'Social Visit Pass'.
APEC desk people said that's rubbish as the card is the Visa... they are now concerned about the MoM and somebody will call me back later to discuss further.

Looking at my passport, the stamp you get at airport on entry into Singapore says "VISIT PASS" which is what MoM is referring to.

 

[vt]

Just call up the Singapore office and say:

OK OK LA
Chill LA, I have APEC card LA
No problem going through immi LA
APEC card is good enough LA

:mrgreen:

 

[cssaus]

Just a further thought, the HR person who no doubt is a Singaporean resident , would probably never have seen what a "social visit pass" even looks like.

My response to the HR person would be to say "yep, I have one of those" and if requested, show them the stamp in your passport that says "VISIT PASS". Remember it's a PASS not a VISA. In fact visitors from places such as Australia do not require visas for normal entry into Singapore.

 

[tscharke]

and also tell them to start attaching those bloody immigration stubs LA

the ones that always seem to fall out of the passport LA

and take up precious lounge time while trying to find the buggas LA

 

[infoworks]

Has anybody used the APEC card for attending business meetings etc in Singapore?

I've just been told by our Singapore customer's HR department that the APEC card is not a visa... it just allows me to enter the country.

The card is not a visa, but you don't need a visa to enter SIN. The card allows you you to be there on business, but not for employment, so attending regional meetings, etc, even though you are working, isn't the same as being employed in SIN.

IMHO you are quite OK to just fly in with your card.

 

[infoworks]

That would be "Lah"

 

[vt]

That would be "Lah"

Depends if you want the quick LA or the longer and linering LAH

I like to use the quick LA

 

[infoworks]

How about aiyoh!

 

[cssaus]

Anyone had any recent experience of crossing into Shenzhen at the Lo Wu border crossing using their APEC card since the tightening of entry by the Chinese authorities?

There's a suggest in another thread that APEC cards aren't being accepted until after the Para-Olympics have ended.

I'm going to be in HK in a couple of weeks time and I was planning on going over into Shenzhen on the weekend for a bit of shopping. Even though I have the APEC clearance for China, I was wondering if I ought to play it safe and get an actual Visa.

 

[jonesy]

I have been into Shenzhen three times in the last two months, most recently about 10 days ago and have had no problems at all. I have entered at the Shekou ferry port and also at Lok Ma Chau/Huang Gang border but havent tried Luohu (as I hate that border crossing).

My mate arrived on Tuesday night and I know he uses APEC card too so I think you will be OK. I dont know how long you can stay (I assume 30 days) as they dont write down any limit as they do in HK or other countries.

 

[cssaus]

I have been into Shenzhen three times in the last two months, most recently about 10 days ago and have had no problems at all. I have entered at the Shekou ferry port and also at Lok Ma Chau/Huang Gang border but havent tried Luohu (as I hate that border crossing).

That's good to hear. Certainly conflicts what others were reporting in the quoted thread and that China is honouring the APEC card after all.

I'm meeting my wife in HK (she has a Chinese Visa) and we're both going into Shenzhen on a Sunday to do some shopping. Actually I'm only going along to carry the bags

 

[infoworks]

I have been in and out of Shenzhen this week using the Houngang border crossing (by car) and there were no dramas with the APEC card. Consistent with My Lo Wu experince a few weeks ago.

 

[ozmerish]

Received an email from the folks at APEC reminding me that my card is due to expire in November.

I've just completed the application and posting off today. Will be interested to see how long clearances require on a renewal vs an initial application!

Anyone with any experience with renewal?

 

[jonesy]

Dont expect approval from China anytime soon. I was told unofficially that no APEC approvals will be done until after the Olympics - this is similar to many other types of China entry visas right now.

I have to reapply soon too - it took China almost 18 months to approve me last time (who knows why??) so am hoping for a bit faster response this time.

 

[ringwaldt]

Hi Guys,
Just a quick related question. I've had my APEC for a while now, but haven't tried to use it in China.
I read on the business mobility website tonight that in addition to my passport and APEC card, i need an Employment License? Does this make any sense to anyone?
I'm needing to go to Beijing on Monday to do some work for a couple of days, and am trying to find out if i should go get a visa or just trust my APEC to get me through.

By the way, just used it in Montreal Canada last week, which now has a designated lane, however the immigration girl had no clue what it was, so i thought i was going to get hassled for jumping all the queues but eventually talked my way through. Perhaps not enough of us use it in Canada? HK, NZ, USA, all a breeze with the card.
And except for one exception with a grumpy person in MEL, my wife has always been allowed to come through with me.

thanks for any advice about China.

 

[infoworks]

Hi Guys,
I read on the business mobility website tonight that in addition to my passport and APEC card, i need an Employment License? Does this make any sense to anyone?

AFAIK if you are just visting on business (yes I know it's work) but not going there to be employed, you are OK with passport and APEC card.

I am working in China a lot but not employed there, never an issue.

 

[Shano]

AFAIK if you are just visting on business (yes I know it's work) but not going there to be employed, you are OK with passport and APEC card.

I am working in China a lot but not employed there, never an issue.

My experience as well.

 

[gaia]

Received an email from the folks at APEC reminding me that my card is due to expire in November.

I've just completed the application and posting off today. Will be interested to see how long clearances require on a renewal vs an initial application!

Anyone with any experience with renewal?

My experience was almost 6 months exactly to the day.