APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[BlacKnox]

You apply to the country of your passport, so, yes Aussie Expats are eligible, but you apply thru Immi in Oz.

Thanks for the reply infoworks. I've since reviewed the application and quote:


"Hong Kong Permanent Residents note...

If you are an Australian citizen and you are also a permanent resident of Hong Kong please be aware that Hong Kong is currently not granting pre-clearances to foreign APEC Business Travel Card applicants who hold Hong Kong permanent resident status. This means your card will not be valid for entry into Hong Kong.

This should not present a problem, however, as ABTC holders use the permanent resident lanes at Hong Kong International Airport, which you are eligible to use anyway if you are a permanent resident of Hong kong.

If you prefer to have a card with Hong Kong included on it you can apply for a card through the authorities in Hong Kong, by virtue of being a Hong Kong permanent resident."


This implies that Australian passport holders with permanent residency in an APEC country have the option to apply via Australia immigration OR their "permanent residence" country.

However as a Japanese resident (and not permanent resident) I am limited to apply through Australia.

 

[infoworks]

It's not an issue for me as I am based and resident in Oz. One thing, the HK entry for a "normal" Oz passport is for 90 days, using apec is only for 60 days. It doesn't impact me, but may others...however, the resident lines are usually empty and certainly faster moving than the "great unwashed masses" lines.

I would think having the card, even if you can't use it as a foreign resident, but still travelling a lot in Asia, especially Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, China would be a real benefit.

 

[BlacKnox]

...One thing, the HK entry for a "normal" Oz passport is for 90 days, using apec is only for 60 days. It doesn't impact me, but may others...

Good point.

I would think having the card, even if you can't use it as a foreign resident, but still travelling a lot in Asia, especially Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, China would be a real benefit.

Agreed. Printed my application form earlier today .

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

I applied for and was granted my card while a resident of Singapore (P1 work permit). Applied through DIMIA back in Australia - credit card payment with application in thepost and so problems.

At Hong Kong, there are the queues for "residents" and permanent residents" I recall (the right and farrrr-right). APEC card can only be used in the right lane and NOT the farrr-right. (Same line as if you held a working visa).

As for which country you apply through - the card needs to be issued by the same country as your passport (your passport number is recorded on the APEC card). So if you have a HK (or JP!) passport, and you travel on that passport frequently, go for it.

 

[BlacKnox]

On the application form you are asked to declare:

I am a business person...

Does anyone know if (self employed) professional athletes would qualify? Specifically professional golfers and tennis players on the Japanese/ Asian tours?

 

[infoworks]

On the application form you are asked to declare:

I am a business person...

Does anyone know if (self employed) professional athletes would qualify? Specifically professional golfers and tennis players on the Japanese/ Asian tours?

If you regard it as your business and how you earn your living, then IMHO yes.

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

if (self employed) professional athletes would qualify? Specifically professional golfers and tennis players on the Japanese/ Asian tours?

Depends on how you've set yourself up - do you have an Australian company/ACN etc? Do you bring your earnings back to Australia? If you are you're an EXPORTER! (yet I somehow suspect you're not...) Give it a go! You could e-mail or call the Dept. in CBR. They're very helpful and forthcoming with info. In reality, the more people using the pass, the happier they are as the project is successful...

Gambatte!

 

[BlacKnox]

if (self employed) professional athletes would qualify? Specifically professional golfers and tennis players on the Japanese/ Asian tours?

Depens on how you've set yourself up - do you have an Australian company/ACN etc? Do you bring your earnings back to Australia? If you are you're an EXPORTER! (yet I somehow suspect you're not...) Give it a go! You could e-mail or call the Dept. in CBR. They're very helpful and forthcoming with info. In reality, the more people using the pass, the happier they are as the project is successful...

Gambatte!

When I first came to Japan I had an Australian company/ ACN, which helped with things like renting office space (World Trade Center etc). Now everything is registered in Japan, though this may change again later.

I did e-mail the Dept. yesterday and inquired, highlighting the golfing trade and investment side, while downplaying the prizemoney side. I'll post their response to this forum once received.

Gambarimasu!

 

[BlacKnox]

I did e-mail the Dept. yesterday and inquired, highlighting the golfing trade and investment side, while downplaying the prizemoney side. I'll post their response to this forum once received.

Here is the response and further eligibility guidelines:

Dear BlacKnox

The Operating framework that governs the ABTC scheme (available on-line at www.businessmobility.org/key/abtc_operating_framework.pdf ) and outlines Australia's obligations to the other participating economies states that the card is only available to bona fide business people. Specifically,
section 3.1.3 states that:

"A bona fide business person is taken to mean a person who is engaged in
the trade of goods, the provision of services or the conduct of investment activities.

It specifically does not include:

• the business person’s dependent spouse and children;
• persons who wish to engage in paid employment or a working holiday;
• professional athletes, news correspondents, entertainers, musicians,
artists or persons engaged in similar occupations."

 

[QF WP]

Application Update

Following on from receiving their letter dated 29 August, I have been tracking the progress of my application.

Still says:

You have been pre-cleared by the following economies:

Australia

They say the average clearance time is currently one month for all economies except China (where clearances are taking in excess of 4 months).

Wonder how long it will be before additional countries start popping up. Their month is almost up...

 

[infoworks]

The best bet is to look up the website update with the code number they gave you. Many economies take a while, some come through more quickly. I guess demand is growing as well, and given the bureaucratic nature of these things, will take longer. 5 months is not unusual.

BTW (the outcome of a longer story is) I asked the SIN Immi today when they were getting their act together and it was suggested they'd be starting in october.

 

[Damien]

You will notice that several will appear all at once after a couple of months. I have everything except for China (which I've been waiting for for 10 months now).

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

Yep - seems normal.

As I understand it, they do the Australian check first BEFORE they send the paperwork overseas - they wouldn't want to get the other countries working on it if the Australian government didn't approve you...

So, you'll find that a number of countries will appear as cleared within a short period. It may be woth getting yuou interim card then. It costs no more.

It took nearly a year to get China clearance!

 

[QF WP]

Thankfully have no plans to go to China in the foreseeable future, so I'm not holding my breath - however a HKG visit is likely in the next 12 months. I'm a patient man...

 

[PaulZ]

I wonder if you experts out there on the APEC Card can help me with a question i have.

At the moment i am regularly travelling from Adelaide to China - Shanghai mainly - 6 times p.a. I am importing some earthmoving equipment which costs a 1/4 of what i used to pay for them in the USA.

At the moment, i am getting a Visa every time i travel.

If i get the APEC Card (and yes i am a business person, no conviction etc), does it mean that once China is approved (which you guys seem to indicate could take between 4-12 mths), i will be able to travel to China without a Visa for a maximum of 60 days (i am only usually there a 10 days at a time).???

It just seems unbelievable that such a card could make my life so much easier, because the Chinese Embassy have never really wanted to make my travel plans easier

Thanks for your assistance.

Paul

 

[QF WP]

PaulZ, here are the benefits of the APEC card.

This table outlines the maximum period of stay permitted for holders of the APEC Business Travel Card when visiting other participating economies. Table refers to maximum number of days permitted per visit. All economies will provide for a stay of at least 60 days.

You are correct wiith the timeframe of 60 days for China.

 

[infoworks]

Offically, until you are pre-approved by China you need the visa.

Unofficially, if you have a visa and an APEC card (even without China pre-approval), I have found they are OK with processing you through the APEC/Diplomat lane (which in Shanghai at the wrong time can save 2 hours in line).

Immi will tell you to have a visa until the China pre-approval comes through.

 

[Vjmabroad]

Still Indo need Visa on arrival?

Does this card allow holders to by-pass the Indonesia Visa on arrive (US10 /3 day)? Or just allow past track through immigration?

 

[infoworks]

Yes.

 

[QF WP]

Well I just checked again and nearly fell off my seat :

You have been pre-cleared by the following economies:
Australia
Philippines
Hong Kong
Chile
New Zealand
Malaysia
Japan
Chinese Taipei

Now to check whether there are any left to be processed (other than China, of course :roll: )