APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[gaia]

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.

With passport & APEC card you should be fine.

If anyone wanted to get a quick visa, the chance of getting one within a week is almost nil pre Olympics.

 

[vt]

This may go someway in explaining the China visa and APEC card situation.

http://www.austrade.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/2292/Visa_summary.pdf.aspx

 

[infoworks]

APEC card holders can apply for electronic processing into and out of HKG. It requires passport, APEC card, 2 fingerprints (both index fingers) and photo, the prints and pics done at the time. No form filling (but you sign their printed one, which you get a copy of. There are booths just after you clear inbound immigration, clearly marked.

They put a barcode on your passport. In future entry through electronic gates, scan code, next step scan print, machine issues a sticker for passport. On way out there is no sticker, stamp, etc.

 

[ringwaldt]

APEC card holders can apply for electronic processing into and out of HKG. It requires passport, APEC card, 2 fingerprints (both index fingers) and photo, the prints and pics done at the time. No form filling (but you sign their printed one, which you get a copy of. There are booths just after you clear inbound immigration, clearly marked.

They put a barcode on your passport. In future entry through electronic gates, scan code, next step scan print, machine issues a sticker for passport. On way out there is no sticker, stamp, etc.

Hi,
Just to clarify, is it at these booths that you can complete the application, or would i need to complete this application prior to arrival on the internet or something. I was there a few weeks ago and didn't notice, but will look out for it when i'm there again shortly.

Thanks,
Sam

 

[moa999]

Also new APEC application form has been loaded on the Business Mobility website.. Note the DEpt of Immigration site points to the OLD incorrect form.

http://www.businessmobility.org/key/apec_application0509.pdf
Only some slight changes.
Basically now requires you to provide copies of passport and drivers license and have it certified as True and Correct.

Unfortunately they have not made it a PDF Form (unlike the previous version) meaning you can't fill it in on screen.

 

[infoworks]

Just to clarify, is it at these booths that you can complete the application, or would i need to complete this application prior to arrival on the internet or something

The booth (white with electronic immigration sign on it) is right after the immigration counters and before you go through the doors to baggage claim.

All you need is APEC or HKIA Frequent Visitor coard and passport. No forms. They will do everything. You will be asked to sign the form they produce (details summary and terms and conditions) and they will give you a copy of it.

 

[cosi]

Thanks inforworks for the tip - sounds great. Will apply next month when I visit HK

 

[NM]

I wonder if I can apply outbound at HKG? Or can it only be done inbound?

 

[infoworks]

I wonder if I can apply outbound at HKG? Or can it only be done inbound?

AFAIK it can only be done inbound. I am outbound this afternoon and will check. I am also not sure, having come in "manually" before getting the e treatment, whether I can go out smart or have to go to the guy to let them take the outbound bit of paper.

 

[NM]

AFAIK it can only be done inbound. I am outbound this afternoon and will check. I am also not sure, having come in "manually" before getting the e treatment, whether I can go out smart or have to go to the guy to let them take the outbound bit of paper.

Please do check. I will be outbound next week and of course have the slipt of paper in my passport for return during the outbound processing.

 

[infoworks]

Please do check. I will be outbound next week and of course have the slipt of paper in my passport for return during the outbound processing.

They wanted me to see the man at the counter and take my slip and stamp my passport. The e lanes were right next door and I went to use them, but was redirected, so I never got to actually test it. The e lanes outbound are desks with scanners, just place bar code underneath, then proceed to the "fence posts" where you place your finger for identification, similar to residents.

There was nowhere outbound to get signed up. I understand that if you go to the immigration office on the second level, they will do it.

Here are a couple of links:

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region - Immigration Department

Passenger Guide - Arrivals - Airport Services / Facilities - Frequent Visitor Channel - Hong Kong International Airport

 

[NM]

They wanted me to see the man at the counter and take my slip and stamp my passport. The e lanes were right next door and I went to use them, but was redirected, so I never got to actually test it. The e lanes outbound are desks with scanners, just place bar code underneath, then proceed to the "fence posts" where you place your finger for identification, similar to residents.

There was nowhere outbound to get signed up. I understand that if you go to the immigration office on the second level, they will do it.

Thanks for the update. Much appreciated.

 

[moa999]

They put a barcode on your passport. In future entry through electronic gates, scan code, next step scan print, machine issues a sticker for passport. On way out there is no sticker, stamp, etc.

So despite an Autralian ePassport, machine readable code on your passport and machine readable code on your APEC card, they add another barcode to the outside of your passport.

 

[infoworks]

So despite an Autralian ePassport, machine readable code on your passport and machine readable code on your APEC card, they add another barcode to the outside of your passport.

Yes!!! I asked the guy to put it inside the passport, but he said they were to put it on the outside back cover, which he did as he was holding both sticker and passport (where it currently still is)! I have considered peeling and relocating, but not bothered at this stage.

 

[sparoy]

I was in Bali last week and Indonesia has just deleted the USD10 visa on arrival (valid for 7 days).
Everybody now has to get the USD25 visa valid for 30days :evil:.

It makes my APEC card even more valuable now .

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I was in Bali last week and Indonesia has just deleted the USD10 visa on arrival (valid for 7 days).
Everybody now has to get the USD25 visa valid for 30days :evil:.

It makes my APEC card even more valuable now .

(Y)

Almost makes you want to fly there more often to get good value from the card...... then again perhaps not

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'm curious.....

At what airport/entry point do you think APEC card is most valuable?

 

[dajop]

A question re MEL & APEC

I noticed this evening MEL departures has been "renovated". As such you know go through security prior to passing through immigration. Not sure how long this has been the case, as last time ex-Aus I went through SYD.

When I went through (at about 6pm) , the place was deserted (as in there was me and one other person going through at the time), so I didn't pay attention to any lanes. But a question - does anyone know when the place is busy do APEC card holders get to use the "express" security lane, or do they have to queue with everyone else in the security lane?

 

[dot]

The new layout at MEL opened on Tuesday the 2nd of March - one week ago. I went though on Wednesday evening for QF29. I had a Express card and used that for both the security checkpoint and the immigration desk. There was no APEC signage at all - I asked at the Express lane desk about it, they siad that they realised that there was no signage for APEC and that they would try to get it fixed. They said that the APEC queue would be the same as the Express Card queue.

To be frank, when departing MEL, I find the Express Card more valuable than my APEC card because without the Express card, they will still weigh your carry on, with it, they don't bother. Also, the APEC card does not get you though the security checkpoint any faster, whereas the Express Card does. At least that was the case with the old setup - I haven't tried going through with just my APEC card through the new layout yet.

 

[NM]

To be frank, when departing MEL, I find the Express Card more valuable than my APEC card because without the Express card, they will still weigh your carry on, with it, they don't bother. Also, the APEC card does not get you though the security checkpoint any faster, whereas the Express Card does. At least that was the case with the old setup - I haven't tried going through with just my APEC card through the new layout yet.

not just departing MEL. I always have an express card visible when passing the weighing station and entering the queue. Then it gets popped back in my wallet for next time and the APEC card is used to "justify" my use of the express lane .