apec business travel card requirements

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Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

Apec business travel card (abtc) information about asia-pacific economic cooperation (apec) business travel card (abtc).

Notification for foreign APEC Business Travel Card applicants:

• If you plan to visit Japan in the near future before ABTC is approved, please consider applying for a visa and contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate nearest to your location.
• Once approved, the ABTC allows you to visit Japan for short-term business purposes with a maximum of up to 90 days at a time.
• ABTC can only be used for business purposes and cannot be used for any other purposes, including holiday, private, transit, recreational or sports purposes. If you are not from a visa waiver country or region, you will need to apply for a visa for your holiday travel to Japan.

Benefits of ABTC:

• No need to apply for visa before business travel.
• No limit on the number of times it can be used within the valid period.
• Maximum validity period of five years.
• Use of ABTC fast-track entry and exit lanes at major international airports. (Narita Airport (NRT), Haneda Airport (HND), Kansai Airport (KIX), Chubu Airport (NGO), New Chitose Airport (CTS), Fukuoka Airport (FUK) and Naha Airport (OKA))
• If you have an inquiry regarding Japan’s pre-clearance, you may contact the Japan ABTC Team only by email at [email protected] . Please be sure to include your name, ABTC application number and passport number in your email. Please note that we cannot respond on the status of pre-clearance including the expected date of approval.

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CBP Announces APEC Business Travel Card Program

WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced that it will publish an Interim Final Rule in the Federal Register to establish the U.S. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card Program (ABTC).  The U.S. APEC Business Travel Card Program is a voluntary program to facilitate travel for U.S. citizens engaged in verified business in the APEC region and U.S. government officials engaged in APEC business. In order to participate, applicants must also be members of a CBP trusted traveler program such as Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS, meaning they will go through or have already undergone a thorough vetting process including a review of all relevant national security and criminal databases prior to enrollment.  The U.S. APEC Business Travel Card will enable access to fast-track immigration lanes at participating foreign APEC member airports. The Interim Final Rule will be open for public comment for 30 days. 

“Expedited entry benefits that come with the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card will allow U.S. businesses to remain competitive with other APEC member companies conducting business in the region,” said Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske.

The ABTC was created through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2011 and the APEC Business Travel Card Operating Framework.  This rule sets forth the eligibility requirements, the application procedures and fee, and the parameters of the program.  The ABTC will enable access to fast-track immigration lanes at participating members’ airports, which is expected to save card holders an average of 43 minutes. Fully participating APEC members may provide “pre-clearance benefits” to card holders of other fully participating members; Pre-cleared card holders would not need to apply for visas or entry permits each time they travel to other participating APEC members. 

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is an economic forum whose primary goal is to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.  APEC is comprised of 21 members, including the United States.  APEC’s business facilitation goal is to reduce the costs of business transactions and to help importers and exporters in the Asia-Pacific region meet to conduct business more efficiently.  Facilitating travel for qualified business people within the APEC region contributes to the business facilitation goal, and to free, open trade and investment, and to the U.S. economy.   

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

• Entering, Transiting and Departing

APEC Business Travel Card

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card is a scheme designed to facilitate the movement of business travellers between APEC member economies.

Singapore citizens may apply for the card if they do not have any past criminal convictions, and are:

• A bona fide business person representing an economically active business entity; or
• A member of a professional body (for example, a doctor, lawyer or accountant); or
• A public officer representing a ministry, government department, economic agency or statutory board, travelling in official capacity.

Singapore citizens with a valid passport and the issued APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) may use the ABTC as a multiple-journey visa that enables expedited immigration clearance through designated lanes in the following participating economies:

If you travel to the US or Canada with an ABTC, you will be subjected to the standard immigration clearance processes; however, you may use ‘fast track’ immigration lanes (currently designated for airline crew) at major international airports*.

*The designated airports in Canada are:

• Calgary International Airport
• Edmonton International Airport
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport
• Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
• Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (Terminals 1 and 2)
• Vancouver International Airport
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.

You will need to provide original documents and official translations (for documents in languages other than English), as well as copies of the documents for ICA to retain.

ICA accepts:

• Translations provided by the embassy of the country that issued the document
• Translations produced by a notary public in Singapore or the country that issued the document
• Privately created translations attested by the embassy of the country that issued the document, or notarised by a notary public in Singapore or the country that issued the document.

ICA does not endorse any private translation companies or entities. Insufficient documentation may result in non-acceptance of your application. You may be required to provide additional documents to support your application.

You will need the following to apply for an ABTC using e-Service :

• Your recent passport-sized, digital, colour photograph taken within the last three months. Please see Photo Guidelines for information on photo requirements.
• Scanned signature image file:- in JPEG format ('jpg' extension)  - Preferred dimension of 250 x 220 pixels  - File size of less than 60 KBytes
• Scanned copy of a letter of authorisation or support from the organisation:- in JPEG format ('jpg' extension) or PDF format  - File size of less than 1 MB ( sample supporting document )- If the letter of support is self-signed, please provide a scanned copy of your ACRA Business Profile
• For members of professional bodies who are applying for the ABTC in their personal capacity, a letter  stating the reason for application, along with proof of membership from the professional body must be provided
• If you are applying as part of an overseas company, you must submit a scanned copy of the company's overseas business registration certificate written in any of the four official languages (English, Mandarin, Tamil or Malay).
• Valid Singapore passport.

Login to our e-Service  using your Singpass 2FA to complete the online application form.

If your ABTC has expired or there is a change in your passport details, you would need to submit a new application online. If your passport is expiring, or you have a pending passport application, please apply for a new ABTC after you have collected your replacement passport.

A non-refundable S$100 fee is payable.

Payment can be made using either:

• Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card
• American Express (AMEX) credit card
• Internet Direct Debit (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB and Standard Chartered Bank internet banking accounts in Singapore)

You may wish to save your receipt after you have made payment, as it will not be emailed to you automatically.

If your ABTC application meets the eligibility for approval, it will be sent to the APEC economies for their pre-clearance. Majority of applications take up to four months for full preclearance. For your convenience, ICA will issue you the ABTC about four months from the date of your application, based on the APEC economies that have cleared your application. If there are economies that submit their returns later, ICA will incorporate these additional economies in a final ABTC that will be issued to you about nine months after your application. Please note that foreign APEC economies are unlikely to process your application beyond the nine-month mark.

If your ABTC application meets the eligibility for approval, it will be sent to the APEC economies for their pre-clearance. You may subsequently check the pre-clearance status of your application via https://www.abtc-aps.org/abtc-core/status/check.html , about 4 weeks after your initial ABTC application. When checking, do select “Singapore” as the Economy of Application and key in the applicant’s passport number (all CAPS).  A list of the member economies which have approved your travel will be displayed.

• Advice for Singapore Citizens
• Apply/Renew a Singapore Passport
• Photo Guidelines
• Document: Specimen Letter for ABTC application (from supporting organisation) (PDF, 262KB)
• Document: Specimen Letter for ABTC application (for members of professional bodies) (PDF, 6KB)
• e-Service: ABTC
• Payment/Refund FAQs

APEC Business Travel Card: Travel Visa-Free with Fast-Track Entry

• What is an APEC Business Travel Card...
• What are APEC member countries and r...
• What the APEC Business Travel Card c...
• Do I need a visa if I have an ABTC w...
• Applying for an APEC Business Travel...
• How to apply for an APEC Business Tr...
• What is the cost of an APEC Business...
• How long does an APEC Business Trave...
• Use business debit cards on your tri...
• Business owners who travel frequently for  business purposes within the APEC region will find an APEC Business Travel Card, which entitles cardholders to visa-free travel among participating countries and regions in the APEC scheme, saves time and money.
• Check whether the APEC Business Travel Card entry permit is suitable for you by checking the eligibility criteria as well as a step-by-step guide to applying for the APEC Business Travel Card

If you’re a business owner operating in Hong Kong or mainland China, The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card can make travel easier for you. Discover the benefits of the APEC and eligibility criteria. 

Let’s start by taking a look at the APEC Business Travel card’s features.

What is an  APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) ?

Entry requirements for APEC economies normally include a business visa, and applying and paying for one every time you travel can be time-consuming and costly, especially you if you travel frequently.

The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) — a credit card-sized travel document launched by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, a 21-member group of economies pursuing free trade across the Asia-Pacific—solves this challenge.

The ABTC card provides cardholders with a more streamlined travel experience and eliminates the need for a business visa. It’s valid for five years and operates on an “apply once, information used for multiple purposes” model, which means you  only need to apply once for permission to enter participating APEC economies at ease.

What are APEC member countries and regions, and which use ABTC?

The APEC is composed of 21 members that work together to ease the movement of goods, service and people across borders.

19 of them are participating APEC economies in the ABTC Scheme: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

The United States and Canada are transitional members, meaning they don’t follow the same rules as the ABTC Scheme, but they do provide fast-track immigration lanes at major international airports for ABTC cardholders.

What the  APEC Business Travel Card  can do for you

Upon successful application, cardholders enjoy visa-free fast-track entry into the participating APEC economies for up to 60 or 90 days depending on the entry arrangements of the destination. 

By simply presenting your ABTC card and a valid passport to immigration officials to gain access to special service lanes at selected control points for entry and exit clearance and avoid long queues. If you haven’t been granted pre-clearance at your destination, you’ll still be able to use the special service lanes, but may be asked to go through the usual immigration clearance process, such as presenting a valid passport and where applicable, a valid visa.

Do I need a visa if I have an ABTC when travelling to the US or Canada?

Cardholders entering the United States are entitled to use the "fast-track" lanes designated for aircrew at all US international airports. However, ABTC cardholders will still need to go through the usual immigration clearance process, meaning you’ll need to present a valid passport and if applicable, a valid US travel visa.

Cardholders may also use fast-track lanes for passenger clearance at major international airports in Canada. Like the US, you’ll need to go through the usual immigration clearance process, and present a valid passport and Canadian travel visa.

Applying for an APEC Business Travel Card: eligibility criteria

To be eligible for an APEC Business Travel Card, you must:

• Be a bona fide business person engaged in the trade of goods, the provision of services or the conduct of investment activities who needs to travel frequently on short-term visits within the APEC region to fulfil business commitments;
• Be a permanent resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;  
• Hold a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and a valid passport;
• Not have been denied entry to any of the participating economies; 
• Not have been convicted of a criminal offence.

Unfortunately the scheme doesn't cover entertainers, musicians, or artists in similar occupations.

How to apply for an APEC Business Travel Card

Once you’re ready, click this link for the application form for an APEC Business Travel Card . Complete form ID900 and attach your photograph with the following: 

1.     A photocopy of the front of your Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card;

2.     A photocopy of your valid passport with the details of your personal particulars (nationality, dates of issue and expiry) clearly visible;

3.     Your photograph; and

4.     A letter from your employer supporting your application.

What is the cost of an APEC Business Travel Card ?

The application fee is HKD 540 (USD 69). Cash, Easy Payment System (EPS), Octopus, Faster Payment System (FPS), or a cashier order, bank draft or cheque are all accepted forms of payment. Payment should be addressed to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or "The Government of the HKSAR".

How long does an APEC Business Travel Card application take?

The application process normally takes two or three months from when you submit your application, allowing for time to notify all participating APEC countries and regions of your name and personal particulars for pre-clearance authorisation.

You can check whether your application has been approved by your home economy (application origin) and monitor which countries and regions have initiated pre-clearance using the ABTC Pre-clearance Status Tracker .

By taking advantage of an APEC Business Travel Card, you’ll save time and money over five years of visa-free travel and fast-track entry among participating APEC countries and regions! That’s more time that can be spent on making your business a success.

Use business debit cards on your trip to save FX transaction costs and handling fees 

Business owners and employees may benefit from using business debit cards for withdrawals and expenditures during business trips. Compared to business credit cards, business debit cards not only have lower application thresholds, but can directly deduct funds from the bank account, so that you don’t need to worry about overdrafts.

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Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card Fact Sheet

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ( APEC ) Business Travel Card ( ABTC ) provides expedited border clearance for business people travelling to participating APEC economies.

Those economies that are full ABTC member economies provide qualified business travellers with immigration pre-clearance and facilitated entry to participating member economies for a single fee paid to their home economy. The ABTC is valid for a maximum of five years. Membership allows card holders multiple short-term entries into participating economies, and speeds border processing by providing fast-track entry using special APEC lines at major airports.

Both Canada and the United States are transitional members of the ABTC process. The two countries facilitate travel for ABTC holders. Foreign ABTC members must present all required travel documents, including passports, visas and permits for entry into Canada.

What is the Canadian ABTC Pilot?

The Canadian ABTC pilot was launched on June 16, 2014. It allows Canadian business travellers who are ABTC members to use special fast-track APEC lines at major airports. Canadian ABTC holders can also benefit from faster border clearance using trusted traveller kiosks when returning to Canada.

Canadian ABTC holders must obtain and present all required documentation, such as passports, visas and permits, when entering participating foreign APEC economies.

The ABTC is valid for five years, unless the cardholder’s passport and/or NEXUS card expires within the five-year period. If one of these documents expires within this time period, the ABTC will also expire. Members should check the expiry dates on all of their documents. In addition, the ABTC membership will no longer be valid if the card holder’s NEXUS membership is revoked.

Canadian business travellers

Canadian citizens who are NEXUS members who conduct regular business in the APEC region are now eligible to apply for the ABTC. Enquiries regarding the Canadian ABTC pilot should be directed to the CBSA ( [email protected] ).

Enquiries regarding the NEXUS program, go to www.NEXUS.gc.ca .

For general information on the ABTC, visit the ABTC Web site .

Foreign cardholders

Currently, 19 of the 21 participating APEC economies issue ABTCs to their qualifying citizens. These foreign ABTC holders are able to enter Canada using the special service line at Canada’s eight major international airports in the following cities: Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Halifax.

When using the special service line to enter Canada, foreign ABTC holders will continue to be required to show the following travel documents to border services officers:

• a valid ABTC;
• a valid passport; and
• a visa if they are from one of these economies: Chile, China, Chinese Taipei (unless holding  an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the personal identification number of the individual), Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.
• Work permits may also be required depending on the nature of the business to be conducted in Canada.

The APEC Business Travel Card

The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) scheme was developed to provide the region’s business community with easier access to other economies in the Asia-Pacific region. The ABTC supports APEC goals of business development, trade and investment through the facilitation of travel between economies.

Currently of the 21 participating economies, 19 are full members which issue cards to their own citizens and provide pre-clearance approval and fast-track lane access to business travellers from other economies [1] . The United States and Canada are transitional members who participate in all aspects of the scheme except they do not issue pre-clearances in advance and instead still require ABTC holders to present at the border any visas, travel or other entry documents that are required for entry. Fully participating economies benefit from a reduced burden on at-the-border security resources because ABTC holders are screened by all economies to ensure they are low-risk travellers [2] .

The ABTC is valid for five years and permits eligible businesspeople with legitimate business travel needs to travel without the need for separate visa applications in fully participating economies and provides access to priority fast track lanes at border immigration inspection facilities in all economies. Thus, the card aims to save cardholders considerable money in terms of visa fees and considerable time in terms of border entry processing. The scheme reduces travel costs between APEC economies by 38% for cardholders [3] . Businesses pay 27% less in application fees and 52% less in immigration processing. This increases the ability of businesspeople to travel internationally [4]

Video Credit: APEC Secretariat

Photo Credit: APEC Secretariat

Context-development of the APEC Business Travel Card 

Australia, Korea, and the Philippines were the three original members of the scheme when it was first trialled in 1997. The ABTC aimed to support APEC’s objectives of regional economic integration and the facilitation of regional trade and investment by reducing the costs of cross-border trade and the movement of people across borders. It is this strong alignment with APEC’s objectives that encouraged economies to support the scheme initially.

The design of the ABTC scheme also allowed economies to signal interest and agree in principle to the scheme without needing to sign up initially. Economies with hesitations around the scheme or domestic regulation which hindered immediate participation were able to monitor the progress of the scheme and sign up when the economy was comfortable to do so. Early adopters of the scheme tended to be economies that already had high levels of visa free arrangements which meant the risk to sign up for the scheme was reduced. However, this also meant that initial participation in the scheme from those economies was lower as there was less need for a citizen to apply for a card if the economy they were travelling to already allowed visa free access. In comparison, economies which viewed the scheme as a greater threat to border security waited to observe the success of the scheme before signing up but found greater value in participation.

Some economies were able to join the scheme quicker than others. For economies like Peru, who approved its incorporation into the scheme in 2000, a coordinated effort was required between relevant domestic authorities to create regulation so that the economy would be able to participate in the scheme. It was officially implemented in 2003. Included in this regulatory change was the necessary work on how Peru would decide the criteria for a businessperson, determining who would be eligible for the scheme. The ABTC Operating Framework maintains a broad definition of a businessperson which ensures economies can offer eligibility and flexibility to a wide range of people under its own domestic laws and policies. Individual economies are responsible for further clarifying the definition which can mean some travellers are ineligible.

There were some reservations with the scheme when it first launched. The criteria that must be met to apply for the ABTC, coupled with the requirement that each economy individually approve the cardholder meant that the approved participants were low risk.

Characteristics of the ABTC Cooperation

To receive an ABTC, applicants who meet the criteria must make a single application to the economy for which they hold a passport or have permanent residence (in the case of Hong Kong, China). If this economy assesses the application as meeting the relevant criteria, the applicant’s details are provided to the other participating economies who conduct their own assessment of whether to grant pre-clearance. When all economies have made a pre-clearance decision, the applicant receives an ABTC that lists the economies to which they have permission to travel. The work is shared between economies as each is responsible for managing the processing of their own pre-clearance applications and no economy has any influence over the processing timeframes of another. The ABTC Operating Framework provides that pre-clearance processing times are expected to be kept as short as possible and that pre-clearance should be completed within 2-3 weeks of economies receiving the request. However, processing of the application can generally take much longer, 3-6 months on average. Applicants are able to receive an interim card which is sent out once the five priority economies that the applicant has self-selected have provided clearance which helped to partially reduce the long waiting times cardholders were experiencing.

Canada and the United States are transitional members. This means they participate in some, but not all aspects of the ABTC scheme. While transitional members do not participate in the preclearance portion of the scheme, they do issue ABTCs to their own citizens so that they can utilize fast-track passenger processing lanes in other economies. The United States offers foreign cardholders expedited visa appointments, when feasible, and access to specialized passenger processing lanes upon arrival.

The ABTC gives frequent business travellers fast-track entry and exit through special APEC lanes at participating airports and, for cardholders of fully participating members, multiple short-term entries to precleared APEC economies without having to make a separate visa application to fully participating members.

Benefits of the APEC Business Travel Card vary between economies

The advertised benefits of the ABTC are attractive for business travellers seeking to regularly travel within the Asia-Pacific region. ABTC holders are able to travel to economies that are full members of the scheme for business purposes without needing to pay for and take the time to submit separate visa applications each time they travel. This reduces the expense for businesses collaborating and trading within the Asia-Pacific region, particularly for those who travel frequently for business.

Separate APEC cardholder lanes at airports aim to reduce waiting times when travelling and provide a smoother experience. Peru and Chile specifically noted businesspeople appreciate the special entry lanes for the quicker transit times through the airport, which makes it easier to schedule business meetings. While quicker movement through airports is attractive for busy business travellers, this benefit is not necessarily guaranteed. At busy airports, cardholders waiting in the specific lane can spend just as long, or even longer waiting to be processed than travellers using the regular lanes. Additionally, infrequent travel by ABTC members through certain airports can result in cardholder lanes being neglected as it is less cost effective to keep the lane constantly staffed. Greater levels of communication and training for border officers has been pinpointed as an effective way to reduce these issues, particularly in smaller airports where ABTC holders are less common.

The popularity of a scheme can depend on the advantages offered to participants. Variations in the extent to which it benefits certain groups can lead to inequal participation rates between economies. In the case of the ABTC, economies which already have visa free travel schemes with a greater number of economies see less benefit from the scheme and tend to have lower rates of participants. For example, Singaporean citizens tend to already have visa free access to many economies so participants in the scheme may use the card mainly for the fast-track lanes at airports rather than for the visa component. In comparison, Peruvian citizens would ordinarily need to obtain visas to access many APEC economies, so the multi-economy visa access provides a clear and valuable benefit to Peru cardholders and the Peru economy as this reduces the need to process individual visas for each entry and exit.

Economies may have different views on the advantages of a scheme, depending on the level of effort required. ABTC preclearance application processing requires significant resourcing, even though economies may not see a reward from this work if the applicants never visit their economy. This is especially an issue for smaller economies such as Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.  In 2014, Papua New Guinea received only 500 cardholder visits and roughly 900 cardholders visited New Zealand [2] .

 Peru noted that large volumes of applications can place a burden on the workforce, especially as it can be difficult to source workers with skills in this area.

Challenges of the ABTC Scheme

A common challenge expressed by both economies and clients is the length of time it takes for cardholders to receive pre-clearance approval from all 19 economies participating in the ABTC scheme. The average length of time for this process is three months, however, longer wait times are not uncommon and in some instances, approval can take up to a year. The ABTC Operating Framework sets an expectation of pre-clearance being completed within two – three weeks of receiving a request.

Although e-Government services continue to expand rapidly across the region as the virtual ABTC is rolled out, ABTC applications remain largely paper-based, which requires economy staff to manually enter all data into the ABTC system. Manual entry increases the likelihood of application errors which will need to be followed up. The increase in the duration of the card from 3 to 5 years has eased some of the resourcing burdens on economies due to the reduced frequency of reapplications.

Other challenges for governments include providing greater application process transparency and support for applicants, safeguarding client data, improving ABTC system functionality, achieving parity in technical capabilities of economies, and clarifying acceptable uses of the card.

There is also a perception that the process of reapplication for a card after expiry is redundant. Current cardholder applicants are less likely to pose any security risks yet further time and money must be spent by cardholders and APEC economies to go through the process again after the expiry of a card. This demonstrates the disconnect between economy processing staff, who view the ABTC as a travel document similar to a passport or visa, and cardholders, who view the card as a convenience that applicants must go through a strenuous process to receive.

Lessons Learned

The Virtual ABTC will be a quicker, more efficient tool for economies and cardholders. The Virtual ABTC was launched by the APEC Business Mobility Group during the APEC Leader’s Week in November 2020. The Virtual ABTC displays a digital version of the card on a mobile application which cardholders can present to enter an APEC economy. Security measures are included in the app to prevent fraudulent duplication and misuse.

On 1 March 2021, Australia transitioned to the Virtual ABTC and now offers it to approved Australian cardholders. While the intention is for the Virtual ABTC to eventually replace the physical version, each economy will determine its own timeline for transitioning. As transitional members, Canada and the United States will not have the ability to access the virtual ABTC at this time.

The developers of the virtual card have used the lessons learned from the physical card to create a card that is more secure, efficient, convenient and user-friendly, particularly as APEC members are looking for safe and effective measures to open up borders and resume international travel.

A major inconvenience with the physical card was the lengthy wait times for using the card. The new virtual card has removed this issue and provides a quicker service. When each economy approves the application, that economy will appear on the app and cardholders will then be able to use the card to access that economy. This reduces the length of time cardholders need to wait between submitting their application and being able to use their card. Peru noted that updated real-time information on the status of the virtual card has been a major benefit.

A benefit for economies is that they will no longer need to expend resources printing and sending physical cards. For Australia, this was a major benefit for transitioning to the virtual card, particularly as Australia used to print physical cards for other economies that did not have the necessary resources. Australia’s transition to the virtual card, and subsequent decision to stop printing cards, has encouraged those economies to transition to the virtual card as well. Chile has also noted that processing times for cards are quicker since its transition to the virtual card.

The new virtual card has the same design as the physical card, to help economies and cardholders understand and feel comfortable using the virtual card. This has meant that economies would not need to spend extra time retraining staff as the process at the border works much the same. While some economies would prefer extra security measures such as QR code, the design team recognised that it would be difficult to install specialist security software across all economies. Peru noted that not all cardholders are proficient users of technology and applications, and this can cause issues in the short term.

To date, the roll out of the virtual card has been hampered due to worldwide border restrictions restricting travel between economies. However, developers are confident that the benefits of the virtual card will encourage economies to transition, and that cardholders themselves will champion this change.

  [1] APEC (n.d.), APEC Business Travel Card Goes Digital , https://www.apec.org/Press/News-Releases/2021/0304_ABTC .

[2] Tetlow, J. and C. Wood (2014), “Supporting Continued Growth in Trade and Facilitation: End to End Review of the APEC Business Travel Card”, Washington: APEC Business Mobility Group .

[3] APEC (n.d.), APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) , https://www.apec.org/Groups/Committee-on-Trade-and-Investment/Business-Mobility-Group/ABTC .

  [4] Part of the information in the case study above has come from discussions with a variety of economies including Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, the United States and others.  

Date :  Finalised in 2022.

Speed your way through customs in Asia: Guide to the APEC travel card

U.S. citizens who work in the Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation region may be eligible for a specific travel card that can fast-track them through the immigration processing at participating airports.

Here's everything you need to know about using an APEC Business Travel Card.

What is an APEC Business Travel Card, and where can I use it?

The U.S. APEC Business Travel Card Program is available to U.S. citizens and government officials engaged in business in the APEC region; APEC is an economic forum supporting free trade and economic prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. The group is comprised of 21 member countries, including the U.S.

APEC Business Travel Cardholders can access a dedicated fast-track lane for expedited immigration processing at the major international airports of each APEC country, specifically the U.S., Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

U.S. citizens with an APEC Business Travel Card may also use the card to enter the U.S. via Global Entry for expedited clearance through automated kiosks at 75-plus airports .

Who is eligible for an APEC Business Travel Card?

APEC Business Travel Cards are for U.S. citizens and government officials "actively engaged" in APEC business. More specifically, they need to be "a verified business person" involved in the "trade of goods, the provision of services or the conduct of investment activities in the APEC region," per U.S. Customs and Border Protection .

Note: These terms do not include professional athletes, news correspondents, entertainers, musicians, artists or persons engaged in similar occupations.

Additionally, you must also be a member (in good standing) of a CBP trusted traveler program — specifically Global Entry , Sentri or Nexus — to be eligible.

How do I apply for an APEC Business Travel Card?

You can apply for an APEC Business Travel Card on the Trusted Traveler Program website . You can apply for the other trusted traveler programs on the website as well.

"Check the box in TTP for the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card," according to CBP . "Then schedule a visit to any CBP trusted traveler enrollment center for an interview (if you are not already a CBP trusted traveler) and for electronic signature collection."

It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete the application.

Existing CBP-trusted travelers don't need to schedule an appointment and can instead visit any enrollment center to complete the interview process.

Stand-alone applicants should expect to pay a nonrefundable $70 application fee. Those applying for the card and Global Entry would pay $170. However, since Global Entry prices will soon increase , they will pay if they apply after the beginning of October.

Bottom line

Though only useful for a very specific group of travelers, U.S. citizens who participate in APEC business should consider applying for an APEC Business Travel Card if they would like expedited entry back into the U.S.

Related reading:

• 7 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear
• 14 things to know about Global Entry
• When and how to renew your passport, according to the State Department
• You can now renew your passport online
• All you need to know about Enhanced Drivers Licenses

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APEC Business Travel Card Requirements: A Complete Guide

• InvestinAsia Team
• May 31, 2024

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) is a game-changer for business travelers in the APEC region. It streamlines the entry process into participating economies, making business travel not just easier but more efficient. If you’re a frequent business traveler in the APEC region, understanding the requirements and benefits of the ABTC is essential.

Also read: The Benefits of Holding an APEC Business Travel Card

Eligibility Criteria for ABTC

General Requirements

To be eligible for an ABTC, you must:

• Hold a valid passport from an APEC economy or be a permanent resident of Hong Kong, China.
• Engage in regular business travel throughout the APEC region.
• Have no criminal convictions.

Economy-Specific Requirements

Each APEC economy may impose additional criteria. For example, some might require proof of business activities or specific endorsements from business associations.

Senior Government Officials

Senior government officials and those actively engaged in APEC business activities may also qualify for the ABTC. The definition of “senior government official” varies by economy, so it’s important to check with your home economy.

Also read: APEC Business Travel Card Participating Countries List

Application Process for ABTC

• Single Application Process: Applicants submit a single application to their home economy. If approved, the details are shared with other participating economies for pre-clearance.
• Pre-Clearance: Each participating economy conducts its own assessment. Once all have granted pre-clearance, the applicant receives an ABTC listing the economies they can travel to.

Also read: Can I Use an APEC Business Travel Card for Personal Travel?

ABTC Requirements in Indonesia

Indonesia has specific requirements for ABTC applicants. Let’s dive into the criteria and process for Indonesian business travelers.

Eligibility Criteria for Indonesian Applicants

• Must be a bona fide businessperson with a position equivalent to a director or higher.
• Must lead a company equivalent to a limited liability company (PT), not other forms like CV or UD.
• Application must be manual with all required documents.

Documents Required for ABTC Application in Indonesia

• Application Form: Available for download at www.imigrasi.go.id
• Company Request Letter: Addressed to the Director of Immigration Traffic.
• Recommendation Letter: From a business/professional association.
• Bank Reference Letter: Showing the last three months’ balance, minimum IDR 500,000,000.
• Passport Copy: With at least two years of validity remaining.
• Evidence of Business Travel: Proof of business trips in the last six months.
• Police Clearance Certificate: Issued by at least the local police department (Polres/Polda).
• Copy of National ID Card: Must match the business profession stated.
• Old ABTC Card (if applicable): For renewals or replacements.
• Recent Passport-Sized Photos: Two colored photos with a red background.
• Immigration Fees
• Representative Documents: Authorization letter and ID for those applying on behalf of the applicant.

Additional Requirements for Applicants Residing Outside Indonesia

• Proof of Local Domicile: Copy of local residency documentation.
• Recommendation and Bank Reference Letters: Must be issued by local authorities.
• Legalization of Documents: Required by the Indonesian embassy in the applicant’s residing country.

Requirements for Card Reprint Due to Loss/Damage

• Application Letter ( Addressed to the Director of Immigration Traffic)
• Police Certificate ( For lost cards)
• Old Card ( For damaged cards)
• Passport Copy
• Applicant’s Signature
• Power of Attorney (If applicable)

Requirements for Card Reprint Due to Passport Change or Country Addition

• Reprint Application Letter: Addressed to the Director of Immigration Traffic.
• Copy of New Passport

Also read: APEC Business Travel Card Exclusive Lanes Airport List

Apply your APEC Business Travel Card through InvestinAsia (for Indonesian Citizens)

For a seamless ABTC application process, consider using InvestinAsia’s service. We have a trusted professional team that will assist you every step of the way. From gathering the necessary documentation to submitting your application, InvestinAsia ensures that your ABTC application is handled efficiently and accurately, saving you time and effort.

For Indonesian citizens, check out our services for APEC Business Travel Card Application .

Chat with us now for FREE consultation and special offer!

The APEC Business Travel Card is an invaluable tool for business travelers within the APEC region. It simplifies travel, saves time, and enhances business efficiency. By understanding and following the application requirements and processes, you can take full advantage of this beneficial program.

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APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Complete Guide

Frequent business travelers know that long-term business visas are a dream come true when repeatedly traveling to the same regions. The APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) recognizes that and developed the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), a unified visa for entering any of the 21 countries under the cooperation.

Read more about eligibility criteria, travel requirements, benefits for APEC Business Travel Card holders, and the program fees in this article.

What is APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation)?

The APEC is economic cooperation between 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim region, 19 from Asia, plus Canada and the United States. This intergovernmental organization intends to facilitate economic growth, free trade, and regional investments.

One of the measures to promote integration in the APEC economy is the Business Travel Card (ABTC). This unique business visa simplifies business travel between member countries, making entry into APEC economies easier and faster. It’s an incentive to boost business and international trade.

Member countries of the APEC agreement

The APEC Business Card is available for citizens from any member economy who meet the requirements. The card allows to fast-track immigration procedures in major international airports. The participating member countries are:

Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, Brunei Darussalam, Mexico, Chile, New Zealand, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), China, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Peru, Vietnam, Indonesia, The Philippines, Canada, Japan, Singapore, United States.

What is the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)?

The APEC Business Travel Cards intend to make travel easier for business people within the APEC region. Once citizens apply, information is shared among the Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and transitional economies members. That’s why applicants only have to make a single application to enter any country.

With this travel authorization, cardholders get fast-track immigration lanes. They can stay in each territory for up to 60 or 90 days. But be aware that the ABTC scheme is only for business purposes, so you must apply for another visa type to meet the entry requirements for tourism.

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Who is eligible for an APEC Business Travel Card?

The ABTC is a facility for APEC nationals, but border protection measures still apply. So, there are some requirements to apply for this travel permission. Check all the eligibility criteria:

Citizens must be from participating APEC economies.

The travelers must have never been convicted of a criminal offense.

They must hold a valid passport issued by the home economy.

The ABTC is designated for business people that frequently travel on short-term visits within the APEC region for business commitments. Hence, proving that you work for a verified business is necessary.

Senior government officials in the region may also be eligible for an ABTC.

The applicants from fully APEC economies get a five-year card. It is a multiple-entry document for full APEC members and allows 60 or 90 days per stay.

APEC Business Travel Card Benefits

The Business Travel Card was developed to facilitate the flow of business travelers among the Asia-Pacific countries to promote economic integration, and these are its benefits:

A fast-track entry and exit through special APEC lanes at participating airports;

Multiple, short-term entries to pre-cleared APEC economies;

A single visa application to travel to any of the fully participating members;

Permission for a 60 or 90 days stay per entry.

Application for an APEC Business Travel Card

The best thing about the ABTC is that applicants must do a single application process, and the document will allow entering any APEC members. The travelers have to apply on the home economy application page.

It’s important to know that each economy is responsible for managing the ABTC processing of their pre-clearance applications, and no economy influences the processing of another.

APEC Business Travel Card processing time

Each country is responsible for the processing of its citizens. Once the application is submitted, the government will share the traveler’s APEC information with the other APEC members. This means the processing time can be longer than for other visas.

Each application can take two to three months to be processed, but the time required to process an application can vary between countries.

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