APEC Business Travel Card

[Daver6]

According to Speed your way through Changi with Singapore's Frequent Traveller Programme APEC card holder with Singapore approved can apply for the Singapore Frequent Traveller program. I wasn't aware of this and assumed I'd still need to the two visits in 24 months.

I had previously signed up but that was in my now expired passport. Looks like I'll be able to sign up immediately on my next visit.

 

[albatross710]

According to Speed your way through Changi with Singapore's Frequent Traveller Programme APEC card holder with Singapore approved can apply for the Singapore Frequent Traveller program. I wasn't aware of this and assumed I'd still need to the two visits in 24 months.

I had previously signed up but that was in my now expired passport. Looks like I'll be able to sign up immediately on my next visit.

thanks for the tip for SGP. So signup has to be done at 10 Kallang Road, Level 4 (next to Lavender MRT station)?

I also just checked for HKG and they also now extend to ABTC without requiring the 3 visits. e-Channel Services for Visitors | Immigration Department

With a new passport and new ABTC it's worth having both of these hubs for easy entry (when HKG is more sensible again)

 

[Daver6]

To close the loop on SYD T1. I had a call back from the airport to now confirm that APEC card holders can use crew lanes for everything both inbound and outbound. Staff have had a talking to.

This should save significant time at the outbound security screening during busy times.

 

[Jamie R]

Arrive in some of the other (non west coast) USA airports and there might be an issue. I've tried it and have been issues for me in the past. And of course, as you know, if they don't know the APEC rules, they're not for listening to the APEC passenger waving the APEC card.

Can confirm - tried using APEC in the crew lane (preCovid) out of Dublin heading to the east coast and the US officials knew nothing about it. Just had to smile and join the queue along with everyone else

 

[kyanar]

Can confirm - tried using APEC in the crew lane (preCovid) out of Dublin heading to the east coast and the US officials knew nothing about it. Just had to smile and join the queue along with everyone else

Same at IAH last I tried - you just get blank stares and pointed back to the general queue.

 

[dajop]

Same at IAH last I tried - you just get blank stares and pointed back to the general queue.

Have had no problems using ABTC at JFK, EWR or ORD (all off flights from Asia, at signposted APEC lane), and almost goes without saying at LAX and SFO no problems either (when on business travel, anyway). But back to DUB pre-clearance, from memory I don't remember being able to use at Canada pre-clearance either.

 

[jmillard]

I was advised by the Chinese Embassy that "virtual" APEC cards are not accepted. The same as Russia. You need a physical card.

I wrote to the APEC office here requesting a physical card and received the following reply -

"Thank you for your email. We are aware there have been issues with some economies not accepting the virtual ABTC at this time.
We are working with these economies to resolve the issue.
Unfortunately, as Australia has fully transitioned to virtual ABTCs, physical cards are no longer printed.
We recommend applying for an appropriate visa if you wish to travel to China at this time."

 

[Daver6]

Government departments. Helpful as always.

 

[dajop]

Have had no problems using ABTC at JFK, EWR or ORD (

Well that post didn’t date well. No dice at JFK T4 today from SQ26. “That was stopped before the pandemic”. Must have been just before, as I last arrived from this flight in Nov 2019.

But SFO was fine with using it in June.

 

[dairyfloss]

Well that post didn’t date well. No dice at JFK T4 today from SQ26. “That was stopped before the pandemic”. Must have been just before, as I last arrived from this flight in Nov 2019.

But SFO was fine with using it in June.

Well, it's only the west coast of the U.S. that's on the Pacific, right?

 

[albatross710]

Didn't get any ABTC love arriving/departing in/out of YVR from Bne.

 

[mushez]

Got this email today:

Dear virtual APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders,



New Zealand has received a notice from the APEC Business Mobility Group (BMG) that China has advised they will not be accepting the virtual ABTC at this time.



Until further notice, all travellers holding a virtual ABTC will need to apply for a visa to enter China.



We understand the inconvenience this may cause. New Zealand government agencies will continue working with the BMG to promote the acceptance of the virtual ABTC amongst all APEC economies. We will provide further updates via the INZ website when they become available.



Kind regards

Immigration New Zealand

 

[jmillard]

Got this from Australia APEC

At this time, Australia is not printing physical cards for ABTC holders as we have transitioned to the virtual ABTC.

If we receive any further advice from China regarding the acceptance of the virtual ABTC, this will be communicated to cardholders.

And this from China -

As we are not the department who issued you the APEC card, we can't give you the information as the following:

• Is the policy of not accepting Virtual APEC cards temporary or permanent?
• Is there a simple process of obtaining a Visa for Virtual APEC card holders?
• Why, when other countries accept a Virtual APEC card, does China not?

 

[albatross710]

Just a few data points on the current country approvals after having my new card issued.

Within one month = 13 economies inc both my priority countries within two weeks

Now after four months just waiting PNG & Vn

 

[mandja]

Had a look today, my application is pending approval from 4 countries:

Brunei
Mexico
Papua New Guinea
Vietnam

All 15 other countries have approved it and I could get temp card issued for them today - but that starts the clock on my card's life - and as I don't plan to travel until March 2022 - there is no point in doing that at this time and just sit back and do so closer to March 2022.

I am exactly 6 months since my application today.

I have a newly issued ABTC (virtual card on app), as no physical cards issued now.
Its says - "valid for travel to AUS". I need it for Singapore, thailand, vietnam, and Indonesia. How do i add those?

 

[dairyfloss]

I have a newly issued ABTC (virtual card on app), as no physical cards issued now.
Its says - "valid for travel to AUS". I need it for Singapore, thailand, vietnam, and Indonesia. How do i add those?

You need to wait until each economy has reviewed your request from our Home Affairs dept, and processed their acceptance. It sounds like you have a card which is issued already with only AUS on it? As a general rule, you shouldn't seek to have the card 'issued' (not sure if the same practice exactly as it was with the physical card) until you have the economies processed that you most need or want, as it starts the validity clock ticking from the first point you do this. Not so much of a concern with 5YR validity these days, I guess.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[mandja]

oh. yes. that makes sense.
So i just wait and check back from time to time when more will (hopefully) be added

 

[Danger]

Is there an email address for Australian card enquiries?

 

[dairyfloss]

Is there an email address for Australian card enquiries?

I've used one previously, which was abtc[at]border.gov.au , but with limited success.

It looks like they've added a form for contact:

Immigration and citizenship Website

Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[albatross710]

I have a newly issued ABTC (virtual card on app), as no physical cards issued now.
Its says - "valid for travel to AUS". I need it for Singapore, thailand, vietnam, and Indonesia. How do i add those?

are you looking on the ABTC app on your phone? It will show the economies already approved and ready for travel.

there was a place on your application to add priority economies.

from my application SIN, THA, IND were all completed within a month. VN is still to be added.