APEC Business Travel Card

[Daver6]

I have done US, Thailand, Phillipines, Singapore and HK when travelling for leisure and never gave it a second thought.

Not sure I would do North Korea, but would do China as I work in Investments and could just say I was doing general research.....

Not sure if that helps, and will leave it to those with actual experience.

Do you put business or leisure on the customs form?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Whilst I have never entred China from NK my advice would be that you will never be questioned entering China - just tick ‘Conference/Business’ and proceed to have a great time. Arrival Card here:



Please do report back on process crossing from NK to China - would love to know how it goes.

 

[cityloop]

Hi! I'm the holder of a brand new ABTC (first timer) and I haven't had the chance to "take it for a spin" yet.
This thread has addressed a couple of concerns I had about using the card for leisure/tourism (I know, I know, it's not what the card is intended for and is probably a technical breach.)

Anyway, I have a leisure trip to China and North Korea planned for the end of the year (I hope no one is going to try and argue with me on my choice of destination here - there's a separate forum for that on TripAdvisor lol.)

My question is: has anyone ever been questioned on the bona fides of their business travel when entering China - ever? Have you ever had to produce "proof" of your business travel? Sounds like most people here tick "business" on their immigration form and that's about it. I'm almost thinking about organising some business meetings for the peace of mind if I am questioned (and show proof of emails or something?)

Is this going overboard?!

It looks like I may have to enter China via Dandong (train) at the end of the tour - which is the China / North Korea border town. Would the risk perhaps be higher there if immigration officers are not as familiar with the ABTC or perhaps question why I'd be entering China for business from North Korea...? I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking it. As they say... you know you're in business when you wake up in cold sweats at 4 in the morning!

I've ticked leisure on many occasions and never been questioned. Skipped through the queue at PEK easily just recently.

 

[Kefci2000]

Leisure

 

[Jam85]

First time application for me - processing times below for reference.

4 July 2019 - Application submitted
8 July - More information requested
3 August - Additional details submitted
9 August - Application approved

By 13 August (first time I checked)
Australia
Brunei
New Zealand

14 August - new approvals
Chile
Indonesia
Malaysia
Philippines

16 August - new approval
Korea

11 economies still pending
China
Chinese Taipei
Hong Kong (SAR China)
Japan
Mexico
PNG
Peru
Russia
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

Will update as more come in.

 

[Jam85]

First time application for me - processing times below for reference.

4 July 2019 - Application submitted
8 July - More information requested
3 August - Additional details submitted
9 August - Application approved

By 13 August (first time I checked)
Australia
Brunei
New Zealand

14 August - new approvals
Chile
Indonesia
Malaysia
Philippines

16 August - new approval
Korea

11 economies still pending
China
Chinese Taipei
Hong Kong (SAR China)
Japan
Mexico
PNG
Peru
Russia
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

Will update as more come in.

Coming in fast ... 2 new approvals:
Hong Kong SAR approved on 20 August
Singapore approved on 21 August

Just waiting on hopefully China soon, and I’ll likely request the interim card.

 

[moa999]

From three applications previously China was always a laggard

 

[Brettmcg]

I received notifcation last Thursday (29AUG19) that my interim card had been issued.

Does anyone have any recent anecdotal evidence as to current printing and mailing times?

The automated email included the following:

Your card will be added to the queue for the next available print run.

Please note, due to current volumes, some delays may be experienced. If there is urgent or impending travel, the appropriate visas will need to be organised while the card is being printed and posted.

Once the APEC Business Travel Card has been printed, applicants in Australia can expect to receive their card in approximately fifteen (15) business days.

I have impending travel to Vietnam on 19SEP, and am wondering when I should just go ahead an organise a normal business visa.

Thoughts?

 

[Brettmcg]

First time application for me - processing times below for reference.

4 July 2019 - Application submitted
8 July - More information requested
3 August - Additional details submitted
9 August - Application approved

By 13 August (first time I checked)
Australia
Brunei
New Zealand

14 August - new approvals
Chile
Indonesia
Malaysia
Philippines

16 August - new approval
Korea

11 economies still pending
China
Chinese Taipei
Hong Kong (SAR China)
Japan
Mexico
PNG
Peru
Russia
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

Will update as more come in.

I applied on 08AUG and was approved the same day. Pre-clearance authorisations came in pretty thick and fast, and as of 04SEP I'm only waiting PRC, Chinese Taipei, Papua New Guinea, Mexico and Thailand to come in.

 

[hj.au]

I received notifcation last Thursday (29AUG19) that my interim card had been issued.

Does anyone have any recent anecdotal evidence as to current printing and mailing times?

The automated email included the following:



I have impending travel to Vietnam on 19SEP, and am wondering when I should just go ahead an organise a normal business visa.

Thoughts?

I was informed that my Interim Card was issued on 13 Aug but I am still waiting for it to arrive.

 

[dajop]

I was informed that my Interim Card was issued on 13 Aug but I am still waiting for it to arrive.

I was going to say the card took a 1.5-2 weeks to reach me .... in Singapore. But that could be quicker than going via Australia Post domestically

 

[hj.au]

I applied on 08AUG and was approved the same day. Pre-clearance authorisations came in pretty thick and fast, and as of 04SEP I'm only waiting PRC, Chinese Taipei, Papua New Guinea, Mexico and Thailand to come in.

I applied on 25/Jun and approved on 10/Jul. 17 counties approved so far except Papua New Guinea.

 

[Brettmcg]

I was informed that my Interim Card was issued on 13 Aug but I am still waiting for it to arrive.

You should definitely follow that up

Once the APEC Business Travel Card has been printed, applicants in Australia can expect to receive their card in approximately fifteen (15) business days. Applicants residing overseas can expect to receive their card in twenty (20) business days. Response to card issuance enquiries will only be provided after the previous mentioned timeframes have elapsed.

 

[hj.au]

You should definitely follow that up

I sent email twice, NO response!

 

[Brettmcg]

I applied on 25/Jun and approved on 10/Jul. 17 counties approved so far except Papua New Guinea.

Apparently Papua New Guinea is always glacially slow.

I sent email twice, NO response!

Interesting. They've always been really quick to respond when I've emailed!

 

[hj.au]

Apparently Papua New Guinea is always glacially slow.


Interesting. They've always been really quick to respond when I've emailed!

Sent another email this morning and got response this afternoon: "Please note, due to current volumes, some delays may be experienced. If there is urgent or impending travel, the appropriate visas will need to be organised while the card is being printed and posted."

 

[Jam85]

Coming in fast ... 2 new approvals:
Hong Kong SAR approved on 20 August
Singapore approved on 21 August

Just waiting on hopefully China soon, and I’ll likely request the interim card.

The last of my essential approvals (China) came through today, so have requested the interim card. Overall 17 of the 19 economies have approved, with PNG & Chinese Taipei still outstanding, in just less than a month from the original approval.

Updated list & timeline:
Application submitted - 3 August
Application approved - 9 August
Australia, Brunei, New Zealand - by 13 August (3/19)
Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines - 14 August (7/19)
Korea - 16 August (8/19)
Hong Kong - 20 August (9/19)
Singapore - 21 August (10/19)
Russia - 23 August (11/19)
Vietnam - 28 August (12/19)
Japan - 2 September (13/19)
Peru - 3 September (14/19)
Thailand - 5 September (15/19)
China - 6 September (17/19)

 

[Brettmcg]

The last of my essential approvals (China) came through today, so have requested the interim card. Overall 17 of the 19 economies have approved, with PNG & Chinese Taipei still outstanding, in just less than a month from the original approval.

Updated list & timeline:
Application submitted - 3 August
Application approved - 9 August
Australia, Brunei, New Zealand - by 13 August (3/19)
Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines - 14 August (7/19)
Korea - 16 August (8/19)
Hong Kong - 20 August (9/19)
Singapore - 21 August (10/19)
Russia - 23 August (11/19)
Vietnam - 28 August (12/19)
Japan - 2 September (13/19)
Peru - 3 September (14/19)
Thailand - 5 September (15/19)
China - 6 September (17/19)

We must have been in the same batch, as my approval from China also came through today. I am now also only awaiting PNG and Chinese Taipei.

I ended up going ahead and organising a Business Visa for Vietnam. I have no trust whatsoever in the Gov agencies to efficiently process my interim card!

 

[dairyfloss]

Hi All - I will submit the Immi online request tomorrow for a replacement ABTC, due to an updated passport number. Any recent experiences with how long the re-issued card takes? I have travel coming up after the Xmas hols in mid January which it would be nice to have it back for.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Given imminent holiday period I would suggest 0 chance it will be through in time - but you never know - good luck