APEC Business Travel Card

[Daver6]

There is no four visit rule. Not sure where that's come from.

When I applied for mine I think I had one, maybe two visits to Singapore. My application was done based on future travel for my job.

 

[dairyfloss]

There is no four visit rule. Not sure where that's come from.

When I applied for mine I think I had one, maybe two visits to Singapore. My application was done based on future travel for my job.

From an older APEC application of mine - but I think it's more relaxed now.

To be eligible for an ABTC, Australian applicants must satisfy
the following business-related criteria:
• the applicant must demonstrate frequent travel (a minimum
of 4 business trips in the last 12 months) from the
applicant’s place of residence to an APEC economy (other
than Australia) for business purposes;

Cheers
Matt.

 

[jules.]

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

Also my bad! I just assumed, haha. Safe travels!

 

[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

Now have Japan - now there are 5 remaining: Brunei, Indonesia, South Korea, PNG and Vietnam

 

[Laf2610]

Would anybody know how frequently they print the cards?. My interim countries are approved but the email suggests that they aren’t printing cards currently?

 

[jules.]

Would anybody know how frequently they print the cards?. My interim countries are approved but the email suggests that they aren’t printing cards currently?

I received approval from my final country over two months ago and haven't received my card yet...

 

[seanQLD]

My interim card approval was on 3rd-June-2020, I got the email saying card had been "issued". Sill have received nothing... I have since emailed them twice, their replies basically say - printing of cards is temporarily suspended "due to covid".... what a total joke ! I mean ... the public servants are all being paid still.... they all are, in theory, still working, albeit many "from home" (a joke in itself).... No status has been given on when printing resumes, or what actual logic exists for the card printing to be suspended... Having a card, or printing a card, does not make covid transmission more likely ! How could it possibly ?

 

[Laf2610]

Yes I received the same email with no further explanation. I got a card number but no idea as to when they are printing again.. all
In it together indeed

 

[seanQLD]

Now have Japan - now there are 5 remaining: Brunei, Indonesia, South Korea, PNG and Vietnam

Now have Indonesia - so only 4 remaining ..... Brunei, South Korea, PNG and Vietnam

 

[Laf2610]

Mine is on go slow.. up to 12. Would much prefer it if they would issue the interim card though so I can go back to work!..

 

[seanQLD]

Mine is on go slow.. up to 12. Would much prefer it if they would issue the interim card though so I can go back to work!..

I am in same boat about interim card (approved on 03-June)... if they'd send it to me.. I resume my business operations

 

[seanQLD]

Yes I received the same email with no further explanation. I got a card number but no idea as to when they are printing again.. all
In it together indeed

Where'd you get the actual "card number" from ??

 

[Laf2610]

Emailed to:[email protected]
adivided them that my interim countries had approved the application and asked when my card will be issued. They replied back (in 20 minutes shockingly):
Thank you for your enquiry.

The Department has issued you with a new ABTC (card no. xx_xx_). However, please be advised, due to the ongoing impacts of COVID19 pandemic, ABTC card printing has temporarily been suspended.

Your card will be printed and sent to you at the earliest possible time when our services recommence.

obviously it had the 6 digit card number but it was surprising, and rather annoying because as far as I know, these guys are all still working on full pay but can’t spit out a few cards

 

[seanQLD]

oh thats very strange - the emails I've received only contain 6 digit "application number" , none of those emails seem to contain "card number"... Anyway, I guess it is fairly meaningless becasue it is the "card itself" not the "card number" that is required....

 

[rallymini]

Now have Indonesia - so only 4 remaining ..... Brunei, South Korea, PNG and Vietnam

I’ve got PNG so only 3 remaining for me! Still haven’t got all my interim card countries, waiting on Vietnam for that!

 

[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?

Update FYI
I have received the following from the Dept of Home Affairs-

Thank you for your correspondence of 4 August 2020 to the Minister for Home Affairs,
the Hon Peter Dutton MP, concerning extending the validity of your APEC Business Travel
Card. The Minister appreciates the time you have taken to bring this matter to his
attention and has asked that I reply on his behalf. I apologise for the delay in responding.

It is not currently possible to extend the validity period of an APEC Business Travel Card
(ABTC). The requirement for an ABTC applicant to demonstrate frequent previous travel
to other APEC economies however, will be interpreted flexibly in consideration of global
travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Thank you for raising this matter with the Minister.

 

[seanQLD]

I’ve got PNG so only 3 remaining for me! Still haven’t got all my interim card countries, waiting on Vietnam for that!

Its now 29-Sept and I'm still waiting for PNG and the other 3

 

[dairyfloss]

Update FYI
I have received the following from the Dept of Home Affairs-

Thank you for your correspondence of 4 August 2020 to the Minister for Home Affairs,
the Hon Peter Dutton MP, concerning extending the validity of your APEC Business Travel
Card. The Minister appreciates the time you have taken to bring this matter to his
attention and has asked that I reply on his behalf. I apologise for the delay in responding.

It is not currently possible to extend the validity period of an APEC Business Travel Card
(ABTC). The requirement for an ABTC applicant to demonstrate frequent previous travel
to other APEC economies however, will be interpreted flexibly in consideration of global
travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Thank you for raising this matter with the Minister.

Interesting, though not very surprising.

I'd asked a similar question of the ABTC team in Brisbane some time back, and didn't hear from them. I guess it's quite a deal more complex than just Australia agreeing to extend the term on our card. All the other economies would need to agree and action from their sides as well.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Laf2610]

Sad part is a friend of mine from PNG received his new card last week.. seems not Everyone has put a stop on card printing for the moment

 

[seanQLD]

Overnight I was approved for PNG ... So now I'm just waiting for 3 : Brunei. Sth Korea and Vietnam.