APEC Business Travel Card

[Sabbasolo]

Do you have to do business in a country to be approved, or are you basically only subject to a security check by each country before they approve you?

Also, how difficult is it to get approval - I have a business etc, but my investment in APEC countries is largely passive....

 

[dairyfloss]

Do you have to do business in a country to be approved, or are you basically only subject to a security check by each country before they approve you?

Also, how difficult is it to get approval - I have a business etc, but my investment in APEC countries is largely passive....

From the APEC BTC pages:

You can get an ABTC if:

• You travel frequently to an APEC economy (other than Australia or your place of residence) for business purposes.
• You have not been convicted of a criminal offence.
• You are either:
  • the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or regional or country head of a registered business entity
  • an owner or director of a registered business entity
  • a board member of a registered business entity
  • the CEO or CFO of an Australian-based business peak body
  • a Vice President, Executive, Director, Senior Manager or similar
  • an employee of a registered business entity nominated by the CEO, CFO, regional head, owner or director of the organisation
  • a senior government official.
• Your business entity or Australian-based peak business body is engaged in international trade or investment between APEC economies. See Business assessment below for details. If you are living outside Australia, you must have permission to live and work within this economy of residence. Applicants may be required to provide evidence of their work and residency permit with their application.

I guess the first point is the one of interest... though I don't know how much, if any, true validation of the travel being for business purposes is carried out. In prior applications, I'm sure I have noted a visit to an APEC economy which might not have truly been for business purposes, but got me over the line on the frequent travel criteria, at that time.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Daver6]

I was approved even though I had done zero travel to APEC countries yet (for business). I could show the company has offices in various locations and that my job would require travel in future.

 

[dairyfloss]

I was approved even though I had done zero travel to APEC countries yet (for business). I could show the company has offices in various locations and that my job would require travel in future.

Now that is very interesting, indeed. I wouldn't have thought that would work, given this statement on the application:

Note: You must provide documentary evidence of frequent business travel. This evidence can include boarding passes, airline
frequent flyer statements or third party documents that identify you and relevant travel information. The department will also
confirm this information against its arrival and departure records.

You must have been in the Friday afternoon batch

Cheer,
Matt.

 

[Daver6]

Now that is very interesting, indeed. I wouldn't have thought that would work, given this statement on the application:



You must have been in the Friday afternoon batch

Cheer,
Matt.

I essentially described what my job role was and the requirements. I had this signed off by someone above me in the company who verified this and provided that evidence too. Another factor is my role, where I'm a single person covering the entire APJ region....or I just got lucky.

 

[Isochronous]

Speak of the devil - fully approved today! Looking forward to receiving the new card soon.

 

[ermen]

just a data point

- got into Vietnam on the ABTC. No forms to fill at immigration and they just stamped me through without asking anything.
But i bought a visa letter just in case.

 

[Daver6]

just a data point

- got into Vietnam on the ABTC. No forms to fill at immigration and they just stamped me through without asking anything.
But i bought a visa letter just in case.

Isn't that the whole point of the ABTC...is that you don't need a visa? Well that and sometimes the shorter immigration lines.

 

[Comoman]

Isn't that the whole point of the ABTC...is that you don't need a visa? Well that and sometimes the shorter immigration lines.

Correct - you don’t need a visa to any of the approved countries on the back of your card.

Hanoi I was out 10 mins after landing. HLO and no queue at APEC counter.

Wonderful.

 

[ermen]

meant to say as a tourist

 

[Isochronous]

I have found the airports at both SGN and HAN surprisingly modern and efficient.

 

[UnoSumo]

Recently found this forum . . great info here . . Can some knowledgeable person help me with this scenario?
- I have a valid APEC Card
- I planning to work in China for 6 months on a project. (Planning on doing 60 day stints with trip back& forth to HK)
- My wife wants to join me in China.
I assume my wife will need to get a visa(s). Any suggestions on which one? Or alternate strategies?

Many thanks!

 

[mushez]

- My wife wants to join me in China.
I assume my wife will need to get a visa(s). Any suggestions on which one? Or alternate strategies?

Many thanks!

The "norm" is visitor visa supported by a letter of invitation from the Chinese partner company you are dealing within China inviting your wife to come with you to China.

China is big on having a through itinerary for anyone visiting as a visitor unless with a recognized tour company or invitation to visit alongside someone there on a Business Visa.

It is simply easier to get the letter of invitation. Just note letter of invitation needs her full name, DOB, Passport number, and Passport expiry. Almost a full copy of the details page info of the Passport to be accepted. Often you type up the invitation letter yourself and email to them to put on their letterhead.

I have done the same many times for my wife and/or sons to travel with me to China while doing my trips on a business visa - and is what they told me to do.

 

[UnoSumo]

Thanks Mushez
Very helpful. Especially about the Letter of Invitation.
Just to clarify . . . Are you suggesting she apply for a standard Tourist Visa (Type L)?

Thanks again!

 

[mushez]

Thanks Mushez
Very helpful. Especially about the Letter of Invitation.
Just to clarify . . . Are you suggesting she apply for a standard Tourist Visa (Type L)?

Thanks again!

Yes, L type visa, but paperwork put forward about going with you and letter of invitation from Chinese partner company you are working with. Seems weird, but it is what they have asked me to do each time in the same situation.

 

[Isochronous]

My passport is basically full of stamps and I will need to renew sometime this year. That will also necessitate an updated APEC Card with the new passport number - do I have to go through the full rigmarole with employer's letter like a new APEC application?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

My passport is basically full of stamps and I will need to renew sometime this year. That will also necessitate an updated APEC Card with the new passport number - do I have to go through the full rigmarole with employer's letter like a new APEC application?

I'm sure I recall reading on the site that you can send them new passport details and they'll print a new card. This was my concern too. Under the previous 3-year scheme you needed an entirely new application.

I'm getting a new passport in 3 weeks. Will report back then!

 

[mushez]

My passport is basically full of stamps and I will need to renew sometime this year. That will also necessitate an updated APEC Card with the new passport number - do I have to go through the full rigmarole with employer's letter like a new APEC application?

NZ Passport/APEC card here - with my first card under 3 year year time frame, when I got a new passport within the 3 years, I was sent out a new APEC card noting new passport with the expiry being the full 3 year period.

Have a 5 year passport with 10 year APEC card - was told the same would happen when I get a new passport, just email the NZ APEC office and they would send me out a new card with same photo etc to take me out to the full 10 year term of the application.

 

[Daver6]

My passport is basically full of stamps and I will need to renew sometime this year. That will also necessitate an updated APEC Card with the new passport number - do I have to go through the full rigmarole with employer's letter like a new APEC application?

I don't think so. See Step 2 here Business Travel Card for Australian citizens

 

[UnoSumo]

Yes, L type visa, but paperwork put forward about going with you and letter of invitation from Chinese partner company you are working with. Seems weird, but it is what they have asked me to do each time in the same situation.

Thanks Mushez,
You made it all so simple.
Cheers!!