APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[Danger]

There goes any chance I had of requalification. I'll still give it a shot but somehow I think I'll by throwing away $200.

Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

 

[infoworks]

They certainly asked the tough questions regarding my son's renewal earlier this year, but he was able to provide suitable evidence.

Now they just have to have immigration provide the inbound/outbound SYD service they promise - lately I have found the dedicated inbound lanes unmanned and they don't seem too concerned about it. Outbound now seems to be the left side all priority/right side everyone else, but a shambles when its busy.

 

[cssaus]

Now they just have to have immigration provide the inbound/outbound SYD service they promise - lately I have found the dedicated inbound lanes unmanned and they don't seem too concerned about it. Outbound now seems to be the left side all priority/right side everyone else, but a shambles when its busy.

I too have noticed in Sydney that the inbound lanes have been frequently unmanned and unfortunately entrance via the smartgate terminals are becoming ever increasingly popular

 

[nb123]

I read this thread a while back, but can't remember the following info, so here goes my question

I got my card approved about 2 months ago but I haven't issued it yet as Japan and China have not approved it yet, which are frequently traveled regions for me.

1. So, let's say I issue an interim card today, then the 3 years validity will begin from today right? It begins when the interim card is issued?

2. Once Japan and China approve, I'll need to re-issue again right?

3. I remember when I read this thread before (might be remembering wrongly) that China could take a year to approve, is this correct? What's the average time on this? What about Japan?

Thanks guys

 

[jonesy]

China takes a long time because.... its China!!

Mine took over a year for them to clear but colleagues have got China in less than six months.

I am pretty sure your three year validity is from two months ago when they first issued you the card. If you get Japan soon then apply for an interim card as that will at least get you there (and into other quickly approved countries) whilst China gets around to it. I did use the CHL of Chile and just feigned stupid foreigner a couple of times to get into China :idea:

 

[infoworks]

Yes, the 3 years is from the date of the first interim card being issued. You should also apply for a renewal a good 6 months ahead of the expiry date. APEC wrote to me in January regarding renewal, which I did immediately, and it took until June to have everyone signed off. Interestingly it was efficient Singapore that dragged their heels ofr months.

 

[nb123]

Thanks for the tips guys!

 

[Quentin]

I have been using my APEC card for many years throughout Asia. Haven't tried it yet to US but landing at JFK in Jan 2011 so I'll give it a try. In most cases I'm traveling alone and have had very few problems. Although I had the family with me in Beijing last year and we were all cleared through the Diplomatic channel with big smiles from the staff.

Some of the more far flung airports in Indonesia had a bit of an issue with it, but a chat with a supervisor normally over came that. Philippines can also be a slight problem sometimes but just use the Diplomatic lane and it's normally resolved.
It has been a god-send at most airports speeding up the process and I was even able to re-enter Australia through Sydney after having my passport stolen inside Singapore airport. Immigration used the info on my APEC card to emergency clear me.

One of the biggest arguments I've had though was returning to my home town of Darwin where, standing in the very clearly marked APEC lane, the immigration official was very rudely trying to insist to me - from some distance away - that I was not to stand there as there was no such thing. Fortunately a supervisor corrected this fool who very begrudgingly cleared me.

The card is not for everyone. You really do need to be a regular Asia Pacific business traveler, especially to get any real value from the card. But if you make more than 8 to 10 trips a year into any of the economies served by the APEC card, then this should be a must have in your travel kit as it not only saves you a lot of time (normally) but it saves you dollars on all the visa costs.

 

[markh]

One of the biggest arguments I've had though was returning to my home town of Darwin where, standing in the very clearly marked APEC lane, the immigration official was very rudely trying to insist to me - from some distance away - that I was not to stand there as there was no such thing.

Ha ha same thing happens in Cairns International Airport when we arrive back every time. We go into the combined crew / APEC line, an immigration official always tries to direct us back into the normal Australian Passport Holders line. A wave of the APEC card and they melt back into the shadows ...

Must be an international regional airport problem where they don't get many APEC card holders through their immigration lines.

 

[nb123]

It seems like people have been able to use the APEC card while traveling with family to clear the whole family through the APEC lane yeah? What about colleagues? If I'm traveling with 3 colleagues without APEC cards, can they follow me through the APEC lane?

Finally decided to issue it this week, Got rejected by Japan ... , still waiting for China after something like 8 months I think, but most of the other countries have approved... any idea why Japan rejected? I've traveled there a few times in the past 2 years...

 

[trippin_the_rift]

It seems like people have been able to use the APEC card while traveling with family to clear the whole family through the APEC lane yeah? What about colleagues? If I'm traveling with 3 colleagues without APEC cards, can they follow me through the APEC lane?

Finally decided to issue it this week, Got rejected by Japan ... , still waiting for China after something like 8 months I think, but most of the other countries have approved... any idea why Japan rejected? I've traveled there a few times in the past 2 years...

Are you a C-Level executive doing $5m/year with Japan?

Apparently the new requirements may affect existing applications?!

 

[Quentin]

Just an addendum to my post in October querying the use of the card at JFK. I traveled with Delta and we came in through Terminal 3 at JFK (which I might add as an aside, is on par with some of the lesser terminals I've been through in Indonesia! Bloody awful) However, the upshot for this forum is that officials there had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned or showed the APEC Card.

I also traveled through Tokyo on this trip and could not see a marked lane for APEC cards on departure or arrival. Hong Kong also no longer seems to show the words APEC as part of their lane assignment, neither does Singapore. I know you can use the card, but there does not seem to be designated entry / exit lanes marked for APEC cards in many of the Asian ports these days.

In China and a few other locals, I have tended in the past to use and bluff my way through the Diplomatic lanes using the APEC card. I have found that if you approach the counter with purpose and insist that it's ok, you normally get passage through.

This worked fine, except in Guanzhou who could read and speak quite proficient English and wasn't about to be bluffed by some Gwailo.

 

[NM]

It seems like people have been able to use the APEC card while traveling with family to clear the whole family through the APEC lane yeah? What about colleagues? If I'm traveling with 3 colleagues without APEC cards, can they follow me through the APEC lane?

in many countries where APEC card is recognised, its possible to take family/colleagues through the line marked for APEC card holders. However, that only provides entry to the line which one would hope is shorter than other lines. The card holder is pre-approved for visa entry into the countries listed on the back of teh card so the APEC holder's processing time at the immigration check-point is generally less than non-APEC card holders. The family/colleagues will still require to meet their own valid entry criteria such as holding a visa and their processing will be the same as if they used their regular service line for their type of entry.

For access to things like security express lanes such as at Australian international
terminals, I have had no issues being accompanied by family members traveling with me.

 

[DTM1]

Just an addendum to my post in October querying the use of the card at JFK. I traveled with Delta and we came in through Terminal 3 at JFK (which I might add as an aside, is on par with some of the lesser terminals I've been through in Indonesia! Bloody awful) However, the upshot for this forum is that officials there had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned or showed the APEC Card.

I also traveled through Tokyo on this trip and could not see a marked lane for APEC cards on departure or arrival. Hong Kong also no longer seems to show the words APEC as part of their lane assignment, neither does Singapore. I know you can use the card, but there does not seem to be designated entry / exit lanes marked for APEC cards in many of the Asian ports these days.

In China and a few other locals, I have tended in the past to use and bluff my way through the Diplomatic lanes using the APEC card. I have found that if you approach the counter with purpose and insist that it's ok, you normally get passage through.

This worked fine, except in Guanzhou who could read and speak quite proficient English and wasn't about to be bluffed by some Gwailo.

I think it makes a difference as to which terminal you arrive in.

JFK

Usually, where an airport has multimple terminals, they will only set up an APEC line where there are flights arriving from an APEC economy. It does not surprise me that there was no line at T3. In fact, not sure from memory (T8?) where I have seen one at JFK, but not that many direct APEC flights coming through.

Singapore

Definitely still an APEC queue in Singapore. T1 has it on the left (near Singapore residents' entry). T3 as it towards the right.

Tokyo

APEC lane is on the far left at NRT.

China

Can only comment on Shanghai, but when I was there last week, I showed my APEC card to a security person, who directed to the express lane on the far left.

Indonesia

Jakarta is the same as the diplomatic lane on the right. Bintan even has a lane at the ferry terminal, but you have to know that its the premium lane on the left, as it says nothing about apec.

 

[nb123]

Thanks guys - yeah, not a C-level executive here , card is already issued so I think I got it just in time!

 

[markh]

... Hong Kong also no longer seems to show the words APEC as part of their lane assignment...

Arrived into HK airport two days ago and had no problem finding the APEC line.

 

[moa999]

Arrived into HK airport two days ago and had no problem finding the APEC line.

Also in HK APEC card allows you to get the eChannel sticker - give away a thumbprint and you can clear the border with no human intervention

 

[dot]

For HKG, as an APEC BT Card holder, you are automatically entitled to a HK Frequent Visitor barcode for your passport which will allow you to use the HK equivilent of Smartgate on entry and exit from HKG - faster than using the APEC queue IMO. On exit from HKG immigration control, there is a small office before you move into the baggage carosel area where you can sign up for the sticker that goes onto the back cover of your passport.

 

[Jobu]

Finally decided to issue it this week, Got rejected by Japan ... , still waiting for China after something like 8 months I think, but most of the other countries have approved... any idea why Japan rejected? I've traveled there a few times in the past 2 years...

Not sure if it's related but they are tightening up on the requirements to be issued a card as I understand that some APEC nations were concerned about the number of Australians getting APEC cards, so they will now only approve for senior execs in companies that do a certain amount of trade with APEC nations.

 

[NM]

Also in HK APEC card allows you to get the eChannel sticker - give away a thumbprint and you can clear the border with no human intervention

For HKG, as an APEC BT Card holder, you are automatically entitled to a HK Frequent Visitor barcode for your passport which will allow you to use the HK equivilent of Smartgate on entry and exit from HKG - faster than using the APEC queue IMO. On exit from HKG immigration control, there is a small office before you move into the baggage carosel area where you can sign up for the sticker that goes onto the back cover of your passport.

I have the barcode on my passport and have used it many times. Its great. However, my APEC card expired in January and I have not even bothered trying to renew it as I do not meet the new criteria. So I wonder is the barcode is still valid until my passport expires (quite a few years out) or is it only valid for as long as mY APEC card was valid? I have not been through HKG since my APEC card expired.