APEC Business Travel Card

[seanQLD]

I don't think the card has as much pull as you think it does.

I don't think it has "pull". I just think it is one-item of many, all taken together, strengthen the case to show that the (proposed) travel is for business... and jobs are at stake. The longer travel is prevented the more jobs will disappear. Business travel is fundamentally different to leisure travel. And should be treated differently. That's all.

 

[seanQLD]

Also.... some countries (e.g. Philippines ) have cancelled ALL "VISA-FREE entry". Without ABTC card, or some other explicit visa, that's what I would be using....
So instead of relying on "VISA FREE" to go there, now with the ABTC card, I have an explicit visa. I anticipate that each of these small steps will help, though none on its own is a silver bullet. YMMV.

 

[seanQLD]

Not much to report on my end, since my last post, 11 days ago, I have gained Mexico. Still no sign of Indo or Vietnam for my interim card!

Australia
Chile
China
Hong Kong, China
Mexico
New Zealand
Peru
Philippines
Russia
Singapore
Thailand

I now have:

Australia
Chile
China
Hong Kong, China
Mexico
New Zealand
Peru
Philippines
Russia
Singapore
Thailand


Still no sign of the Iterim Card , even though they email me on 03 June to say it was on its way...

 

[seanQLD]

Chinese Taipei ADDED about a week ago...
Seems very slow going now (have 12 approved) waiting on the slow ones now.

 

[seanQLD]

7 more to go .. Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, PNG and Vietnam

 

[seanQLD]

7 more to go .. Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, PNG and Vietnam

two more weeks passed.... 12 Aug.... no more countries added. Very slow going

 

[dairyfloss]

two more weeks passed.... 12 Aug.... no more countries added. Very slow going

Don't worry - ScoMO and co have pretty much confirmed you're not going anywhere until next year, anyway!

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[seanQLD]

Don't worry - ScoMO and co have pretty much confirmed you're not going anywhere until next year, anyway!

Cheers,
Matt.

there are exceptions being granted

 

[Daver6]

Not sure I see the value at all in applying for an APEC card now. If you need to travel and are going to get an exception, just apply for a regular visa if one is needed. The other major benefit of the card is express queues. I can't imagine that regular queues would be very long anyway.

 

[seanQLD]

Not sure I see the value at all in applying for an APEC card now. If you need to travel and are going to get an exception, just apply for a regular visa if one is needed. The other major benefit of the card is express queues. I can't imagine that regular queues would be very long anyway.

I guess you are aware that the card lasts for 5 years.. and it takes like 6+ months from start of application ... for all the countries to give approval before the card is granted. During this covid downtime, it seems is the best time to apply for it . I had been putting off applying for years because "too busy".

 

[Daver6]

I guess you are aware that the card lasts for 5 years.. and it takes like 6+ months from start of application ... for all the countries to give approval before the card is granted. During this covid downtime, it seems is the best time to apply for it . I had been putting off applying for years because "too busy".

Yes, I'm aware of the validity period. I think taking 6+ months now is due to Covid. Normally it's a couple of months between applying and receiving based on my and other colleagues experiences.

 

[rallymini]

two more weeks passed.... 12 Aug.... no more countries added. Very slow going

I’ve just had Malaysia added in the least few days. Finally another one of my interim countries!
Coincidentally my approval from the Malaysian government to enter Malaysia this Sunday just came through today, two weeks in KL coming up!

 

[jules.]

I’ve just had Malaysia added in the least few days. Finally another one of my interim countries!
Coincidentally my approval from the Malaysian government to enter Malaysia this Sunday just came through today, two weeks in KL coming up!

How did you get approved to leave Australia?

 

[seanQLD]

yeah I just checked on mine - also Malaysia added since I last checked
Now is 6 more to go .. Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, PNG and Vietnam

 

[rallymini]

How did you get approved to leave Australia?

Sorry, I should have mentioned I'm not living in Australia at the moment!

 

[jmillard]

Related info - My APEC card expires April 2021. I have asked about the possibility of an extension. No response yet after 14 days. To apply for a new card, one needs to demonstrate travel 4 (?) times to an APEC country in the previous 12 months. Fairly obviously, that is not going to happen.

Is anyone else in a similar situation?

 

[seanQLD]

Related info - My APEC card expires April 2021. I have asked about the possibility of an extension. No response yet after 14 days. To apply for a new card, one needs to demonstrate travel 4 (?) times to an APEC country in the previous 12 months. Fairly obviously, that is not going to happen.

Is anyone else in a similar situation?

What you need is RENEWAL not "extension" (not a thing) and not "application". My understanding is that the "4 times travel in previous 12 months" is a condition for the first application, but is not needed for a RENEWAL...

 

[jmillard]

What you need is RENEWAL not "extension" (not a thing) and not "application". My understanding is that the "4 times travel in previous 12 months" is a condition for the first application, but is not needed for a RENEWAL...

Hmmmm - not according to this -

2. How do I apply for or renew an APEC card?

From 1 July 2017, ABTC applications and renewals for Australian citizens must be lodged electronically through ImmiAccount. Please note, all applications received via mail and/or courier will not be accepted and will be returned to applicants.

The application process will prompt you to provide particular information depending on your individual circumstances. Incomplete applications could be delayed or, in some cases, refused.

Applications must include:

 A copy of the bio-data page of your Australian passport;

 Identity documentation;

 Supporting evidence to demonstrate your business is engaged in trade or investment activities between APEC economies;

 If you reside outside of Australia, evidence of authority to reside and work within this economy;

 Evidence that you have made multiple trips to APEC economies within the last 12 months.

 

[seanQLD]

Hmmmm - not according to this -

2. How do I apply for or renew an APEC card?

From 1 July 2017, ABTC applications and renewals for Australian citizens must be lodged electronically through ImmiAccount. Please note, all applications received via mail and/or courier will not be accepted and will be returned to applicants.

The application process will prompt you to provide particular information depending on your individual circumstances. Incomplete applications could be delayed or, in some cases, refused.

Applications must include:

 A copy of the bio-data page of your Australian passport;

 Identity documentation;

 Supporting evidence to demonstrate your business is engaged in trade or investment activities between APEC economies;

 If you reside outside of Australia, evidence of authority to reside and work within this economy;

 Evidence that you have made multiple trips to APEC economies within the last 12 months.

oh ok.... sorry I was wrong. I stand corrected. My opinion was formed by conversation with a colleague who renewed his in late 2019. He just implied that the renewal was far less hassle and less onerous and faster than the initial application. Sorry - I've learned something here today

 

[jmillard]

No need for apologies Sean

Your colleague is correct - I have renewed on a couple of occasions and it was simpler than the initial process.

I have not put in a application for renewal yet, but I was wondering how they were going to apply the 4 visit rule.