apec business travel card interview

My experience getting an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) as a U.S. citizen (and how you can get one too)

The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) is designed to expedite entry of businesspeople between different APEC economies. I recently obtained one for myself in case I make any future business trips to Asia.

APEC is an organization of 20+ countries bordering the Pacific Ocean to promote trade between each of the economies. Years ago, they came up with the ABTC to make this possible.

The two major benefits of most ABTC cards are the access to special APEC lanes when crossing the border and the option to request visa waivers when visiting another APEC economy. However, only the former benefit applies to ABTCs issued by the U.S., while the latter benefit is available to citizens of most other APEC economies. This is because the United States and Canada are transitional members of APEC. That means they can issue ABTCs, but the American and Canadian ABTCs won’t offer visa free access to any APEC country. (To clarify, that means all other ABTCs have that option though.)

Although the ABTC is limited, that’s okay; the access to the faster passport control lines in the different countries is a great perk already.

Eligibility

Each APEC economy comes up with its own criteria and its own procedure for issuing ABTCs. This article only talks about the eligibility requirements for U.S. citizens.

In the U.S., only Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI members who are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for an ABTC. Global Entry and NEXUS members of other nationalities are not able to get an ABTC. I am currently a member of Global Entry, so I was eligible to apply. If you are not yet a member of at least one of those programs, you need to become one before you can become eligible for the ABTC.

Visit the Trusted Traveler Program website (ttp.cbp.gov) and log in to the portal. Under your current program membership section, press the button for applying for an ABTC.

The process is quite simple. Provide your current address and passport information, then pay $70 for your application. Once you submit and pay for it, your application automatically becomes conditionally approved. A message will appear in your TTP portal. You should open this and read it for reference.

I paid for my application using my Chase Sapphire Reserve in hopes I would get a credit for it. The CSR offers a credit for one TTP membership renewal every 4-5 years. I already paid for my Global Entry and NEXUS through other credit cards, so I still had a TTP credit left over on my CSR. I figured it was worth a try to use my CSR for the ABTC fee. It worked! So yes, the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s Global Entry/NEXUS credit can cover the ABTC application. (Important: it won’t cover your ABTC fee if you already used it on Global Entry or NEXUS.)

Completing the sign up process

Once this is done, you will need to visit a Global Entry enrollment center for what’s called “signature collection”. That can be done either when you are already in the U.S. or through the Enrollment on Arrival process.

Unlike completing a regular Global Entry interview, you don’t need to schedule an interview for your ABTC. If you arrive for the ABTC signature collection, they might be confused at first, but they will ask their coworkers and eventually you will be allowed in for the ABTC signature collection process. You may have to wait for a CBP agent to be available.

Come at least an hour before the Global Entry enrollment center is scheduled to close.

Bring the following with you:

• Your U.S. passport book
• A printed copy of your letter of conditional approval, available on the CBP website
• A business card is helpful, but might not serve as sufficient evidence

Signature collection: a formality or a real step?

Other reports online suggest that the signature collection is a formality. My experience proved to be otherwise.

At the enrollment center, I handed over my passport and was asked to confirm if my address and job information was still accurate. I was also asked questions about my nationality, including if I was ever a national of mainland China. Then he realized my passport says I was born in the U.S. Hopefully that wasn’t racial profiling—I do have a visa for China, so I’d like to think he asked because of that.

After my identity was confirmed, I was grilled on why exactly I needed the ABTC. I said I had a business that was expanding to Asia after our Europe expansion. He asked if I had any travel history to Asia for business yet, to which I replied no. I then brought up the fact that travel to Asian countries had only resumed this year after COVID-19 travel restrictions had been lifted. He seemed a bit skeptical of my response and asked if I had any proof of my business, like a business card. Thankfully, I always keep some in my wallet, so I handed that over to him.

At this point, I was getting nervous that I would be denied. My justification was typed up by the CBP agent and sent to the national processing center. He asked me a few questions, such as:

Agent: “if you want to go to Japan to eat some sushi, can you use the APEC lane?” Me: “No, I would use the normal lanes.” Him: “Correct!” Agent: “if you are returning to the U.S., would you use the APEC lane?” Me: “Personally, I’d use the Global Entry lane.” Him: “Correct!”

I later learned that was the part where I was supposed to be briefed about the expectations of using the program. My experience seemed to be more of an interrogation than a briefing though…

Then, he collected my signature and he said that was the conclusion of it. I asked if I had been approved and if so, when I would get my ABTC. He said that the national processing center would make the “final determination” and I would be notified later of the decision. He had no idea when I’d get the card.

I left the facility concerned about whether I would actually get approved. Minutes later though, I got an email from TTP saying I was approved for the ABTC. Phew!

The ABTC is a wonderful way to skip long immigration lines in Asian countries if you are doing bona fide business (at least officially). I won’t be using it when I am a pure tourist, but I will certainly enjoy using it when I have some business to conduct in those countries. It is a nice perk to have under my belt as a Global Entry member, especially because it is supposed to be trivial to get (or so I thought).

It doesn’t seem like a completely trivial card to get for Global Entry members, but it is still pretty easy if you have good enough justification for it. Some APEC economies, like mainland China, requires the company to sponsor the card, and then two more levels of government approval are required. The U.S. makes it relatively easier, which is much appreciated.

Best of luck for those of you who want to get one!

Related Posts

Watch this video for a demonstration on how to scan your RFID TTP card at…

Global Entry members tend to be spoiled for clearing immigration when heading home to the…

After the pandemic, with travel surging, the estimated application wait times for Global Entry has…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

Programs submenu

Regions submenu, topics submenu, the belt and road initiative at 10: challenges and opportunities, the future of the indo-pacific with the coast guard commandant, breaking bad: south korea's nuclear option, the future of u.s. lng exports: a conversation with rep. sean casten and rep. garret graves.

• Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy
• Aerospace Security Project
• Africa Program
• Americas Program
• Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy
• Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
• Asia Program
• Australia Chair
• Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy
• Brzezinski Institute on Geostrategy
• Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies
• China Power Project
• Chinese Business and Economics
• Defending Democratic Institutions
• Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group
• Defense 360
• Defense Budget Analysis
• Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Project
• Economics Program
• Emeritus Chair in Strategy
• Energy Security and Climate Change Program
• Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program
• Freeman Chair in China Studies
• Futures Lab
• Geoeconomic Council of Advisers
• Global Food and Water Security Program
• Global Health Policy Center
• Hess Center for New Frontiers
• Human Rights Initiative
• Humanitarian Agenda
• Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
• International Security Program
• Japan Chair
• Kissinger Chair
• Korea Chair
• Langone Chair in American Leadership
• Middle East Program
• Missile Defense Project
• Project on Critical Minerals Security
• Project on Fragility and Mobility
• Project on Nuclear Issues
• Project on Prosperity and Development
• Project on Trade and Technology
• Renewing American Innovation Project
• Scholl Chair in International Business
• Smart Women, Smart Power
• Southeast Asia Program
• Stephenson Ocean Security Project
• Strategic Technologies Program
• Transnational Threats Project
• Wadhwani Center for AI and Advanced Technologies
• All Regions
• Australia, New Zealand & Pacific
• Middle East
• Russia and Eurasia
• American Innovation
• Civic Education
• Climate Change
• Cybersecurity
• Defense Budget and Acquisition
• Defense and Security
• Energy and Sustainability
• Food Security
• Gender and International Security
• Geopolitics
• Global Health
• Human Rights
• Humanitarian Assistance
• Intelligence
• International Development
• Maritime Issues and Oceans
• Missile Defense
• Nuclear Issues
• Transnational Threats
• Water Security

Why U.S. Approval of the APEC Business Travel Card Matters

Critical Questions by Murray Hiebert and Sakari Deichsel

Published December 14, 2011

On November 12, President Barack Obama signed the APEC Business Travel Cards (“ABT Cards”) Act of 2011, which allows U.S. businesspeople and senior government officials to enjoy the same ease of entry into 18 other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries that their counterparts already enjoy. “Passage of this legislation sends a clear message that the United States is committed to bolstering its commercial presence in Asia,” Steve Okun, the Singapore-based chair of the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce, said after Congress passed the legislation. “Access to business travel cards will significantly enhance business travel, investment, and trade opportunities for U.S. citizens in the rapidly growing economies in the APEC region.” Q1: What is the APEC Business Travel Card? A1: The idea for the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) dates back to at least 1995, when APEC leaders called on member economies to improve the “mobility of business people” in the pursuit of “free and open trade and investment.” Launched in 1997 with just three participating APEC members, the scheme has now expanded to all 21 APEC economies, and enrollment stands at more than 100,000, a nearly three-fold increase since March 2008. Research conducted by APEC’s Policy Support Unit confirms that ABTC holders experience significant time and cost savings when they travel to other APEC economies. The United States has been one of the last APEC countries to introduce the ABTC program, despite strong support from the business sector. However, with the United States hosting the APEC summit in Hawaii in November, both houses of Congress moved quickly to pass ABTC implementing legislation ahead of the meeting. The Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce, an umbrella organization of American Chambers of Commerce in Asia, strongly supported the ABTC because without it U.S. businesspeople were at a competitive disadvantage compared to their APEC counterparts. In fact, travelers from many other APEC economies have benefited from “fast-track” immigration lanes since 2007, but because there was no U.S. government agency authorized to issue ABTC to U.S. citizens, there has been no reciprocity in APEC countries for them. The National Center for APEC estimates that approximately 10,500 to 15,000 Americans will enroll in the program. Q2: How will the ABTC work? A2: When holders of the ABTC arrive in one of the 18 countries that are members of the program, they use an “APEC lane,” bypassing the normal customs and immigration lanes. In these countries, the card serves as a pre-processed multiple-entry visa. Each participating country allows cardholders to stay for at least 59 days and, in some cases, for 90 days. The card itself resembles a driver’s license and is renewable after three years. Businesspeople and senior government officials with reason for frequent travel between APEC countries can apply through their own nation’s customs or immigration office for an ABTC. Each applicant will be screened and undergo a thorough background check and interview before being issued an ABTC. APEC members share “watch lists” to screen out high-risk candidates. A criminal record or providing false information can invalidate an application. Q3: What does congressional approval of the ABTC mean for U.S. citizens? A3: Citizens of the United States will be the only APEC nationals to encounter a significant change in their travel experience due to the passage of the legislation. Until the passage of the ABTC Act (and until ABTCs are issued), frequent U.S. business travelers to other APEC countries have been lumped in with other casual travelers and tourists arriving in other APEC economies. Now, U.S. travelers will enjoy reciprocal “fast-track” immigration processing and special lanes in other ABTC countries. Q4: How does a U.S. citizen get an ABTC and how long will it take? A4: The ABTC program will look familiar to frequent travelers. The program will be similar to, and integrated with, the Department of Homeland Security’s Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program. This program expedites the customs and reentry process for low-risk pre-screened U.S. travelers. The ABTC is expected to be offered as an option when U.S. travelers submit an online application for the Global Entry program. The initial costs to the government associated with the issuance of ABTCs will be approximately $2 million. The legislation was budget neutral, and the costs will be paid for by what is expected to be a $50 fee for U.S. applicants, in addition to the $100 application fee for Global Entry. The timeline to get the program up and running has not yet been determined. Once Customs and Border Protection begins accepting applications, the agency gives a rough estimate of five days for vetting the applicant, a month to schedule and conduct an interview, and another week or two for delivery of the actual card. Q5: How will foreign ABTC holders be affected when they arrive in the United States? A5: Currently, the United States, along with Russia and Canada, are transitional members of the ABTC. When traveling to the United States, foreign cardholders receive expedited visa processing and access to “fast-track” immigration lanes usually used by airline crews or diplomats, but the United States does not have lanes fully devoted to APEC travelers. The ABTC program will not change procedures for foreigners entering the United States. U.S. immigration law does not recognize the ABTC as an entry visa, and the recent legislation does not change that. Travelers from other APEC nations will still have to obtain visas prior to coming to the United States. APEC’s creation of the transitional member category in 2007 allows for this reciprocal arrangement. Murray Hiebert is a senior fellow and deputy director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. Sakari Deichsel is a researcher in the CSIS Southeast Asia Program. Critical Questions is produced by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a private, tax-exempt institution focusing on international public policy issues. Its research is nonpartisan and nonproprietary. CSIS does not take specific policy positions. Accordingly, all views, positions, and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). © 2011 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. All rights reserved.

Murray Hiebert

Sakari deichsel, programs & projects.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Archived Content In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
• National Media Release

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.

• Search Search

Related Posts

• How to Start a Travel Website That Inspires Travelers Everywhere
• Clear for Takeoff: How to Avoid Delays in Your Passport Application
• Hotel Matilda – An LGBTQ+ Oasis in San Miguel de Allende
• Looking to Study Abroad? Follow These 10 Tips
• Tips For Flying With an Infant

Subscribe to Stay Updated!

Get our latest posts delivered right to your inbox.

• Adventure Travel
• Bringing Travel Home
• Business Travel
• Child Passports
• China Visas
• Destinations
• Expedited Passports
• Expedited Visas
• Family Travel
• Group Travel
• How To's
• Humanitarian
• International Travel
• Know Before You Go
• LGBTQI+ Travel
• Passport & Visa Updates
• Passport Requirements
• Sustainable Travel
• Swift Services
• Travel + Money
• Travel Alerts and Advisories
• Travel Gifts
• Travel Ideas
• Travel News
• Travel Products
• Travel Stories
• Travel Tips
• Travel Trends
• Visa & Passport Policy Changes
• World Causes
• World Travel

APEC Business Card Application: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

• No Comments
• By Laurie Lee

What are the Eligibility Requirements for an APEC Business Travel Card?

In order to obtain an APEC business card, you must meet certain criteria:

• First, you must be a United States citizen.
• You must also have a membership in an approved CBP trusted traveler program and be in good standing. The CBP trusted traveler programs are the Global Entry Program , SENTRI, and NEXIS.  When you apply for your APEC business travel card, you’ll go through a vetting process.  During that time, criminal and national security databases will be reviewed before you are approved to enroll.
• Finally, you must either be a U.S. business professional or government official involved in APEC related business dealings.

If you have questions about your eligibility for this program, we encourage you to contact our team for more immediate answers.

How Do I Apply?

The APEC Business Card application process is pretty easy.  When you’re ready to apply, you’ll visit Global Online Enrollment System website and then you’ll select U.S. APEC Business Travel Card from the list of programs.  If you do not have a membership in a CBP trusted traveler program, there is an additional step.  You’ll need to contact a CBP center near you to schedule an interview and they’ll also collect an electronic signature from you.

What is the Cost?

There is a non-refundable $70.00 fee for your APEC Business Card application.  If you’re not a member of a CBP trusted traveler program, there will be an additional membership fee that you’ll have to pay.

How Long will the APEC Business Travel Card Program Last?

Current legislation has authorized the program to last until September 30, 2018.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be allowed to issue APEC Business Travel Cards to eligible citizens until that time.  However, this date may be extended in the future.

While we believe this list answers some of the most commonly asked questions, we are happy to address any additional concerns you may have.  Simply contact our team and we’ll be happy to assist you in any way we can.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Andrew Henderson

Founder of Nomad Capitalist and the world’s most sought-after expert on global citizenship.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

What we’re all about

MEET OUR TEAM

Meet our 80+ global team

We’re here to serve you

Your questions answered

TESTIMONIALS

Read our testimonials

Get free email updates

ACTION PLAN

Our flagship service for entrepreneurs and investors

ACTION PLAN ELITE

Create your Action Plan directly with the Mr. Henderson himself

CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT

Claim a second passport based on familial connections

ALL SERVICES

Click here to see all our products and services

GOING OFFSHORE

Offshore Banking

Offshore Company

Offshore Trust

Offshore Gold Storage

Offshore For Americans

SECOND CITIZENSHIP

Second Passport

Citizenship By Investment

Citizenship By Ancestry

Dual Citizenship Benefits

EU Citizenship

SECOND RESIDENCE

Second Residence

Golden Visas

Residence By Investment

EU Residence

Tax Residence

FINANCE & INVESTMENTS

Tax Reduction

International Investment

Cryptocurrency

Foreign Real Estate

Asset Protection

NOMAD LIFESTYLE

Flag Theory

Lifestyle Design

Plan B Strategy

Hiring Overseas

Living In Eastern Europe

PASSPORT INDEX

Discover the world’s best passports to have in an ever-changing world

CITIZENSHIP MAP

Explore the citizenship options using our interactive citizenship map

Explore the tax details for countries using our interactive tax map

ALL RESEARCH

Click here to see all of our research and interactive tools

THE WORLD’S #1 OFFSHORE EVENT

Kuala lumpur | september 25-28, 2024.

Learn from our R&D playbook and meet like-minded people at our annual event.

NOMAD CAPITALIST THE BOOK

Andrew Henderson wrote the #1 best-selling book that redefines life as a diversified, global citizen in the 21st century… and how you can join the movement.

How to Get an APEC Travel Card: The Ultimate Guide

Dateline: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

If you’re a frequent business traveler in Asia, you’ve likely seen the chosen few disembark from their plane only to be whisked through customs and border control to enter the country without a visa.

Do they have a secret VIP card ? Well, kind of.

If you’re traveling a lot for work, you’ve probably already heard of the APEC Business Travel Card or ABTC, which essentially gives you special access when arriving at certain airports within the Asia Pacific region.

The ABTC program was designed to promote ease of travel for investors and business persons traveling for work throughout the Asia Pacific region. If you often travel in the region for work, take a minute to calculate all of the time you’ve wasted in line at customs or applying for visas. There is a better way!

For ABTC holders you’ll have pre-clearance privileges, which means you can slide right through customs like a VIP. If your home economy is one of the 19 reciprocal members of APEC, you’ll also skip the visa hassle and be able to enter visa-free or be issued a visa upon arrival.

ABTC privileges might sound like something James Bond-worthy, but an APEC travel card is actually not as difficult, or as costly, to get as you might imagine. You can actually receive your travel card in the mail within a few months of applying for less than $200 USD. If you often travel to Asia, it’s honestly kind of crazy to not have one.

Here, we’re going to walk American, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand citizens through the process for getting an ABTC.

But before we jump into the nitty-gritty of the application process, let’s take a minute to talk about APEC.

What is APEC?

Founded in 1989, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation is an association of countries promoting free trade and economic development in the Asia Pacific region. There are 21 APEC member states (full list at the bottom of the article). While most are in the Asia Pacific region, a few, like the US, Canada, and Russia, are included due to their economic involvement in the region.

There are a number of APEC programs from helping indigenous women export their products to environmental stewardship, but we’re going to focus on programs here that make your life easier. One of the ways in which APEC fosters economic growth in the region is by facilitating ease of movement across borders for people, goods, services, and investments. This includes faster processing through customs at borders both for business travelers and investors, which is where the ABTC comes it.

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card (ABTC)

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card is meant to foster ease of travel for those visiting the Asia Pacific region on business. It’s basically a VIP card that allows you to fast track your way through customs when you arrive at the border. It can also facilitate travel to the region without needing a visa, but that depends on your home economy. More on that later.

An ABTC is literally a card that you keep with your passport. There are an estimated 500,000 APEC travel cards currently floating around the world. The actual ABTC itself is about the size of a credit card. On one side it will list your personal information and on the other, it will list the countries you have been approved to enter without applying for a visa ahead of time.

You should note that the ABTC is for short-term business travel within the APEC region only. That means you must be visiting the region on a business-related trip and the amount of time you can stay is limited. You’re generally allowed to enter a given APEC country for 59-90 days, depending on the specific agreement between countries.

When traveling with an ABTC you should also keep in mind that not every entry point in every country is going to allow fast track access for the ABTC holders, so you’ll need to do your homework and figure out ahead of time which airports will honor you ABTC. Generally speaking, if you choose to fly into the major airports in a country, you’ll be able to use your ABTC for expedited clearance and visa-free travel, but double check first.

Eligibility

The basic eligibility requirements are quite simple. You must be a citizen of an APEC economy and hold a valid passport, travel through the region on a regular basis for business, and possess a clean criminal record.

Pretty basic stuff, but keep in mind that each home economy may have additional requirements for applicants. We’re going to delve into the specifics for American, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand citizens in more detail later. For now, let’s talk about the basic application process for acquiring an ABTC.

The Application Process

One of the major benefits of the ABTC is that you only need to lodge a single application, rather than applying to each APEC country individually. If that seems uncharacteristically efficient for a bureaucratic system, don’t worry, it will still take up to several months before your application is fully processed and approved.

Rather than applying to the country you intend to visit, you’ll actually make an application to the APEC country in which you hold citizenship ie: your home country/economy). Once you’ve submitted your application and it has been approved by your home country, your native immigration bureau will forward your application and information to each participating country. Yes, this does mean longer wait times, but it also saves you the stress of filling out 20 different applications.

Your application may be approved by your home country, but that does not guarantee approval from every other APEC member state. Each country has different immigration laws and they may find a reason to deny your application.

After each country makes a decision about your pre-clearance application, you’ll receive you ABCT which will list all of the countries in which you’ve been approved for travel. Although your home economy won’t have any control over how long your applications are processed within individual countries, you can track which member states have approved your application using the ABTC Pre-clearance Status Tracker . American and Canadian citizens have a slightly different relationship with APEC. They can check their status through their Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) Account.

If your ABTC was issued before September 2015, your card is valid for three years. In September 2015, APEC agreed to extend the validity of new travel cards. Now, an ABTC is valid for five years.

Unfortunately, if you want to renew your card, there is no streamlined renewal process. Your only option is to file a new application with your home economy and pay the application fee again. Your application will be treated as if you were applying for the first time. This is to make sure you can still be approved in each individual country despite new personal details and changing immigration laws.

Passport Issues

Your ABTC card is associated with the specific passport you used to apply. If your passport expires before your ABTC, you’ll need to contact the immigration office in your home economy to resolve this conflict. You may be asked to purchase a new ABTC that matches your new passport details.

If your passport is stolen, you must file a police report and follow up with your home country’s immigration bureau with copies of the police report.

APEC Transitional Members

For citizens (and sometimes permanent residents) of the 19 APEC reciprocal member states, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for visa-free travel within the APEC region. However, there are two cases in which holding an ABTC does not grant visa-free travel.

The US and Canada are both transitional members of APEC, sharing some of the benefits of membership, but not all. American and Canadian citizens can use the ABTC for expedited processing at customs both in the APEC region and when returning home, but they will not be granted visa-free access to other member states, at least not through the ABTC program. ABTC holders from other economies should also not expect to be able to enter the US or Canada without a visa. That being said, as an ABTC holder, American, Canadian, or otherwise, you should expect shorter wait times for visa appointments, a small, but useful consolation prize.

Important Acronyms

Americans and Canadians applying for an ABTC will be doing so through the same online portal operated by the US Customs and Border Protection agency. The US government loves acronyms, so if you’re navigating the ABTC application on your own, you might find yourself completely lost in all of the terminologies. Below we’re including a brief summary of the most important acronyms and terms to help you get through this process with as little frustration as possible.

The US Customs and Border Protection. CBP is the agency that manages the ABTC application process and approvals for expedited reentry into the US.

Trusted Travelers Programs. A group of programs for American and Canadian citizens that grants them expedited travel at airports in the US, Canada, and sometimes Mexico. Before being granted an ABTC you’ll have to apply for Global Entry pre-clearance through the appropriate TTP. The application is processed through an online platform called GOES.

Global Entry. CBP program that allows for expedited clearance to pre-approved travelers. You must apply online before undergoing a background check and interview. When you arrive in the US as a participant in the Global Entry program you’ll head to a Global Entry kiosk with your passport to be fingerprinted and approved for entry. CBP agents always reserve the right to select you for further examination.

Global Online Enrollment System. The online platform used by Canadians and Americans to manage their trusted traveler program applications and renewals. Operated by US CBP.

This TTP allows ease of travel for those who travel frequently between the US and Canada. Canadians must already be enrolled in NEXUS before applying for an ABTC.

ABTC Application Process for Americans

The ABTC program is relatively new to the US. It actually only became a permanent program in 2017.

Those with business interests in the APEC region both as civilians or working on behalf of the US government are eligible for an ABTC. You have to be considered a “verified business person” by the US government; journalists, athletes, artists, etc… are not eligible.

To apply for an ABTC you must already be a member of a CBP Trusted Traveler Program (TTP). For American citizens, the ABTC will not only grant you fast-track access when arriving in approved APEC economies, it will also allow you to use the Global Entry kiosk when you re-enter the United States. After a long flight back home from Asia, the last thing you want to do is wait in line at the border for an hour or more, so the GE kiosk will end up being your portal to peaceful reentry.

The CBP TTPs essentially help you move through the line at the airport more quickly when you are re-entering the US. Once you pass through the GE kiosk, you’ll be waved right through to baggage claim and freedom. In theory anyway. CBP agents reserve the right to flag you for further screening.

The various trusted traveler programs “expedite processing for pre-identified, lower risk populations.” You can choose the program best suited to your needs depending on how often you fly internationally, domestically, and cross the southern or northern US borders. Note: trusted traveler programs are available for American citizens as well as permanent residents and Canadians.

Once you’ve chosen the best TTP, you can fill out an application online through the GOES portal. While filling out the application you’ll need your passport or permanent resident card as well as your address, employment, and travel history from the past five years. Yep, that’s right, you’re going to have to list every address and job you’ve held in the past five years, as well as every single country you’ve traveled to.

Of course, you’ll also have to pay an application fee. The fees will vary depending on which program you’re applying for, but they max out at $122.50 USD, not including the separate ABTC fee.

Once you pay the fee and receive conditional approval for your application, which can take several months, you can then schedule an in-person interview at a CBP trusted traveler enrollment center. Following the interview, your application will be approved or denied. Assuming you receive full approval, you can then activate your membership card and ABCT.

You can apply for an ABCT at the same time as your CBP trusted traveler application. It’s as simple as checking the ABCT box on the application and paying an additional $70 USD fee.

After your TTP and ABCT application are approved, your application will be sent out to the other APEC member states for individual approval. Within a few months, you should receive your ABTC in the mail.

For expats, you might run into trouble when applying for your APEC travel card. Technically, you must return to the US for your interview. However, some embassies in the Asia Pacific region have been working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to circumvent this issue. While you might end up having to fly home for your interview, you should check with your nearest US embassy to see if there is another option before you book your flight back to the US.

ABTC for Canadians

Like Americans, Canadians will not receive visa-free travel privileges but can expect fast-track entry in the APEC region and upon returning to the Great White North. Canadians will also be privy to expedited visa procedures when applying to visit an APEC member state, so that’s a small victory.

In addition to regularly conducting business in the APEC region, Canadians are required to already hold trusted traveler status before applying for an ABTC. Americans can choose from a number of trusted traveler programs, but Canadian must be approved through the NEXUS program. Through this program, Canadians will receive an expedited entry into the US and through a Trusted Traveller kiosk when they return to Canada.

For Canadians, the first step towards getting an ABTC is applying to the NEXUS program through the US operated GOES online portal.

To apply, you’ll first have to create a .gov login, then a separate TTP login before being able to access the application. Among the TTP options to apply for, choose NEXUS. The NEXUS application fee is $50 USD. If you are approved, you NEXUS membership will last for five years before you have to renew, which you can also go through the GOES portal.

From there indicating that you want to apply for an ABTC means selecting a box and paying an additional non-refundable application fee, much like the application process for Americans.

After your digital application is conditionally approved, you’ll have to visit a NEXUS Enrolment Centre in Canada for an interview and to provide your signature. NEXUS Enrolment Centres can be found at major Canadian airports as well as some land border crossings.

Your card will then be mailed to you once it has been approved by the respective APEC member states. This generally takes 2-3 months.

This process for Americans and Canadians might seem slightly tedious and time-consuming, especially considering you won’t be getting visa-free access to the APEC region. But honestly, you’ll only have to do it once every five years and it can save you hours and hours of time, not to mention stress. For frequent flyers, it’s hard to even calculate how much time you’ll save at borders and in visa applications within those five years.

ABTC for Australia and New Zealand

Unlike the US and Canada, Australia and New Zealand are both full members of APEC, so in addition to expedited entry at borders, Australian and New Zealand citizens will also benefit from short-term visa-free travel throughout APEC member states.

For Australians

The basic eligibility for Australians to apply for the ABTC is the same as most other countries: frequent business travel throughout the region, a valid passport, and a clear criminal record.

The Australian government does, however, issue more specific standards for determining whether or not you are a “bona fide” business person. You may be asked to provide supporting evidence to prove that your company is involved in investment or trade between APEC countries. Supporting evidence might include copies of leases for commercial property in other APEC countries, client information, and business licenses from the APEC economies where you do business.

If your business is a startup, you may also need to provide business plans as well as evidence of the viability of your enterprise. Additionally, if you are not a senior executive with your company or an owner, you will need to be nominated by a senior exec.

Although the Australian government may ask for a number of supporting documents, they do provide an online portal to streamline the application process. As of 2017, all applications for an ABTC must be filled out online through the ImmiAccount portal.

When you fill out your application you’ll be asked to provide: a certified copy of your passport bio-data, a certified copy of your Australian driver’s license, and supporting evidence. If you do not have an Australian driver’s license, you’ll be asked to provide other means of identification.

After you fill out your application you’ll be prompted to pay a non-refundable application fee of A$200.

Unlike Canadians and Americans, Australians will thankfully not need to turn up for an interview once your application is conditionally approved. If your application is approved by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, it will be sent to the reciprocal APEC member states for approval. You will then receive an Australian application number which you can use to track the status of your application through the ABTC website. Each country will check your application against their own immigration laws before approving you for visa-free travel and expedited entry. Keep in mind, you won’t necessarily be approved by every country within the region.

Those visiting Australia with an ABTC (except Americans and Canadians) can enjoy 90 days of visa-free travel throughout the country.

Interim Card

Because your application needs to be approved by every APEC country individually before you receive your ABTC, this process can often take a few months. We recently heard from an Australian client that they were told their ABTC would take around six months to process.

Luckily for frequent flyers within the Asia Pacific region, Australia offers an interim ABTC option.

If you’re planning to travel through the APEC region within 6 months of applying, it’s recommended that you also apply for the interim card. When you submit your ABTC application, you’ll simply indicate five priority economies. Once your application is approved by Australia and these five countries, you’ll be issued an interim card which allows you fast track re-entry into Australia as well as visa-free travel to these five economies before you officially receive your ABTC.

Now, onto the Land of the Great White Cloud…

For New Zealand

The basic eligibility for Kiwis applying for an ABTC is the same as other countries, but New Zealand also adds the stipulation that anyone who has been deported from, asked to leave, or refused entry to any country is unable to apply for an ABTC.

Unlike Australia, the New Zealand ABTC application process is not digitized. To apply, you’ll need to download the application form from the New Zealand immigration website, then mail in the completed form with a passport size photo, a copy of the photo section of your passport, and the application fee of NZ$150. Applications should be sent to the Central Area Office in Auckland.

You’ll also have to include some supporting documents proving your position within your organization and your need to travel frequently within the APEC region. Supporting documents can include: a letter of support from your employer, contracts, invoices from suppliers in the APEC region, invitations to trade shows in the APEC region, and pretty much anything else you can think of to prove you are a “bona fide” business person with valid business interests in an APEC economy.

The application itself is pretty short – just two pages! – and should only take a few minutes to fill out.

After your application has been received, an acknowledgment letter will be sent out to you through the mail. This letter will also contain your application number. You’ll need to hold onto this number so you can begin tracking the progress of your application through the APEC platform.

If you have a criminal conviction, you are not eligible for the ABTC. However, if your conviction was expunged from your record under The Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004, you may still apply and do not need to disclose your history of a criminal offense. When your application is sent to other APEC member states for approval, New Zealand will not disclose your criminal record. That being said, you may need to declare your criminal convictions on your arrival card when traveling overseas, which may result in being denied entry.

It will take about six weeks for New Zealand to process your application. From there, your application will be mailed to reciprocal economies. New Zealand estimates that it should take between three to six months after conditional approval in New Zealand for you to actually receive your ABTC.

Like their sister country Australia, New Zealand also offers the option to receive an interim card. On the physical application, you’ll just need to check of up to five countries you would like to prioritize.

If you are entering New Zealand from a reciprocal economy you can conduct business in the country for 90 days without needing to apply for a work visa.

APEC Travel Cards: a Summary

Obviously, the process to receive an ABTC card is a lot less daunting than it might initially seem.

The first step is determining basic eligibility: a clear criminal record, frequent business travel in the region, and a valid passport to an APEC member state.

Next, you’ll have to apply for an ABTC through your home country. If your application is approved, it will be forwarded on to all other ABTC member states for approval.

Finally, you’ll receive your ABTC in the mail listing all of the countries that have approved you for visa-free short-term business travel and/or pre-clearance upon arrival.

For frequent flyers to the Asia Pacific region trying to minimize travel stress and live a more mobile lifestyle, an ABTC is a must. As you can see, the process really isn’t so tedious to warrant ignoring the major benefits of the APEC travel card. It’s definitely a step in the right direction towards the VIP Nomad Capitalist lifestyle.

If you do not hold a passport to a full reciprocal APEC member state, this might be reason enough to explore second passport options . There are also other “hacks” to getting an APEC card, like having the permanent right of abode in Hong Kong; starting a Hong Kong company and paying some tax for seven years can help accomplish this.

Full List of APEC Member States

Australia Brunei Darussalam Canada (transitional member) Chile People’s Republic of China Hong Kong Indonesia Japan Republic of Korea Malaysia Mexico New Zealand Papua New Guinea Peru The Philippines Russia Singapore Chinese Taipei Thailand The United States (transitional member) Viet Nam

GET ACTIONABLE TIPS FOR REDUCING TAXES AND BUILDING FREEDOM OVERSEAS

Sign up for our Weekly Rundown packed with hand-picked insights on global citizenship, offshore tax planning, and new places to diversify.

Are you a US citizen?

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Top 7 of the Best Expat Cities in Mexico

Regular readers will know we're big fans of Mexico at Nomad Capitalist, the country, the culture,...

10 of the Least Corrupt Countries in Africa

In this article, we'll navigate the complexities of corruption and present you with a fresh...

10 of the Least Corrupt Countries in the World

If you're interested in overseas investment, you want to first make sure the places you invest in...

12 of the Safest Countries in The World

In a world that can often seem uncertain it makes sense to have a Plan B. Since safety and...

10 of the Safest Countries in Europe

In this article, have a look at 10 of the safest countries in Europe, particularly notable for...

10 of the Safest Countries in Latin America

In this article, we'll reveal the top 10 of the safest countries in Latin America and the...

Get an Insurance Policy Against Your Government

Have options so that no one government controls you or your wealth. From strategic citizenship planning to real estate overseas, Nomad Capitalist has helped 1,500+ high-net-worth clients double their personal and financial freedom.

What do you want to accomplish?

Let us know your goal and we will tell you how we can help you based on your details.

REDUCE TAXES OFFSHORE

CREATE A GLOBAL PLAN B

DIVERSIFY AND PROTECT WEALTH

UNITED STATES

UNITED KINGDOM

EU COUNTRIES

Tax Amount ($US Dollars)

POLITICAL INSTABILITY

ECONOMIC INSTABILITY

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

HIGH TAX LIABILITIES

RISK MANAGEMENT

MARKET PROTECTION

WEALTH PRESERVATION

OPPORTUNITY CAPITALIZATION

ESTATE PLANNING

Email Address

We handle your data according to our Privacy Policy . By entering your email address you grant us permission to send you the report and follow up emails later.

• GFA Village
• Join VIP Member
• Business Opportunities
• Bootcamp Training
• Cross Border Matchmaker
• Cross Border Summit
• GFA Partners
• Corporate Services
• Content Marketing
• Business Training
• Joint Venture & Broker
• Incubation Project

How To Get Your APEC Business Travel Card (i.e. Asia VIP Card!)

Michael Michelini Last Updated: July 30, 2021 Blog , Lifestyle , Travel 45 Comments

Tired of waiting in the long customs lines with all the other suckers?

Ya, thought so!

If you’re a regular business person in Asia, this article will take a bit to read through but will save you hours and hours of time in border lines all across Asia – so pay attention!

For frequent travelers in Asia, we are now from the gods with a new card for VIP treatment at customs security. I thought it was APAC card (my logic was it is Asia Pacific – APAC) – but it is an APEC card which stands for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.

A lot of my friends are either processing one and I recently went through the process. I started writing this guide as soon as I filed it, and have been updating it along the way.

So you can read along as I go through the process. Plus it’s still fresh in my mind.

Download Your APEC Application Guide

In a rush and want to keep this APEC guide so you can access on your computer or mobile phone later? We have prepared this specifically for you so you can grab it when you need it!

Acronyms Defined

Governments seem to love using acronyms! Maybe it is the military side spilling over into civilian use? Or just easier to explain to people. Whatever the case, there are a lot in this guide!

Doing my online research, I could only find government websites with tons of acronyms. I thought before you read too far into this, let’s get some of these acronyms that you’ll come across on a regular basis.

APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. We’ll go into details on what this is in the next section.

ABTC – APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC). The physical card you’ll receive to cross the borders with.

CBP- This is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection department. For both humans as well as products coming in and out of USA land.

GOES – Global Online Enrollment System. This is the online system for applying and managing your frequent traveler programs.

SENTRI – Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection. for frequent travelers between USA, Canada, and Mexico.

NEXUS – Couldn’t find anywhere on the web what it stands for. Maybe just a name, and not an acronym? The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travelers faster entry and exit between the United States and Canada. 1-866-NEXUS 26 (1-866-639-8726).

FAST : Free and Secure Trade for Commercial Vehicles. This is for those truck drivers and cargo companies who have products coming in and out of Canada, US, and Mexican borders.

GE – Global Entry. For international travelers to get in and out of border crossings faster.

If you want to dig into these various travel programs, you can find the official CBP site here covering all Travel Programs .

Today I will focus on APEC, as well as the Global Entry as it’s required for APEC card holders.

So What is APEC Exactly?

Now that we have some basic definitions of various travel programs, let’s dig into APEC.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

While it stands for Asia-Pacific – I see there are countries listed in South America and North America. Here is the full list of all 21 APEC members:

• Brunei Darussalam
• Mainland China
• Hong Kong China
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Chinese Taipei

And What’s ABTC?

So the ABTC is what you need to card for. This is the card to give you the fast track – VIP at customs and border crossings! Like the golden ticket at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory, well not that cool – but pretty close. You will get preferential treatment when processing at foreign borders in Asia.

Carry this ABTC card with you just like you would with your passport. Its best to keep it with your passport at all times.

The ABTC is one program in APEC, which aims to facilitate travel of business people in the Asia-Pacific region. How? By providing simpler short-term entry procedures.

When Did This ABTC Card Start?

I can’t find out when they made the card available. From research it seems they passed the bill in 2011. But there is definitely information about when it ends.

In the legislation it authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to issue U.S. APEC Business Travel Cards until Sept. 30, 2018. The legislation might extend it, but we don’t know. We can watch the law and see if it is extend after that date. Most likely they’ll see how this first phase goes.

Update May 2017: We have a blog reader who has this to say – seems it will no longer stop in September 2018!

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to make the APEC Business Travel Card for U.S. citizens permanent. See here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/504?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22s504%22%5D%7D&r=1 Paul A. · May 26, 2017 at 1:49 pm

How Long Does an ABTC Last Once You Get It?

Three years after issue date. The card will have the expiration on it. Also if your passport is expiring in less than three years, then the APEC card will expire at the same date as the passport.

What Airports & Border Crossings in Those Countries Accept APTC Cards?

So you’re jumping up and down that you can get through some of these border lines faster? Before applying, you might want to check this list of which places support accepting the card. But keep in mind it has not updated since 2008. For example, it doesn’t list Shenzhen / Hong Kong borders, but they accept them now.

I would say if you are a jet setter, you should invest in this to make your life just a little bit less stressful 🙂

Qualifying for U.S. ABTC As a US Citizen

This article focuses on US citizens for processing their ABTC card. Reading all the government websites, they said it is possible for non Americans to get it, but it doesn’t say how.

So if you’re reading this and not a US citizen, I’d suggest you search your local country government’s website. I’d love to hear how it goes – leave a comment about it if you can.

Keep in mind, US government websites (this FAQ is good), explain that the US APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) is for US Citizens. The process different from foreigners – but still works as global entry in US borders. So don’t think its keeping out non-Americans from the program.

So – to be eligible for the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card Program, you must meet three criteria:

· You must be a U.S. citizen

· Have a current membership in a CBP trusted traveler program such as SENTRI, NEXUS, or Global Entry. If you don’t, you’ll need to apply for that first (we’ll cover it below, don’t worry). This means they will check criminal record databases and do other background checks.

· Be a verified business person actively engaged in Asia Pacific related business or a U.S. government official.

What is a verified business person engaged in Asia Pacific business? As detailed in the FAQ section:

A “verified business person” engaged in APEC business means a person engaged in the trade of goods, the provision of services or the conduct of investment activities in the APEC region. Professional athletes, news correspondents, entertainers, musicians, artists or persons engaged in similar occupations are not considered to be verified business travelers engaged in business in the APEC region when they are traveling in such a capacity. FAQ section

So I believe I should qualify (as of writing this my application is still pending). They approved friends and associates of mine doing similar business. That is, living in Asia and doing business between countries. I am not sure if they look at where you are living as part of it (I’ll try to ask during my interview). I am sure that during their research they see you have a Hong Kong company and have been living in Asia for many years as strong qualifications.

First – Need The Global Entry Program

So now that you got the idea of this APEC card and you quality, next you need to prepare to apply online. Before we get there, you need to first have a GE account – a Global Entry program

The main role of the GE card is to enable Global Entry members to use NEXUS/SENTRI lanes. When you apply for this program, you can check a box and apply for your APEC card at the same time.

If you want to check for locations that accept it http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/locations has a running list. Again not the most up to date, so check next time you cross your regular border check with the border patrol.

I will include applying for this Global Entry Program as part of the steps below.

Applying Online For The Global Entry & ABTC

Ok, let’s get online and start filling this puppy out! Use the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) and you can login via this GOES page. If you already have an account and are in the Global Entry program, life is simple for you. Login and check a box that you want to add in the APEC program. This will add the APEC Business Traveler Card. If you are not already a CBP trusted traveler then you must schedule a visit to any CBP trusted traveler enrollment center. You’ll have an interview and submit your electronic signature. To make it faster, you can create a GOES Online Account and apply online and then do the interview.

Note – Hong Kong Permanent Residents Apply Here

My friend Larry wanted me to add there is a way to get the APEC card from Hong Kong. His message:

Important to note it’s better for people (including Americans) permanently resident in Hong Kong to get the APEC card issued by Hong Kong Immigration because unlike the US one it gives you visa free access to a bunch of countries in addition to the VIP line privileges

Here are the eligibility requirements when doing it from HK:

More Information For APEC card with your HKID (Hong Kong ID card)

Apply for APEC card via Hong Kong via form id900.

Fee from HK : After digging, found in form ID912 that the fee for a new APEC card is 590 HKD (about $75 USD) – so cheaper than getting it from America.

A business person residing in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may apply for an ABTC if he/she: holds a Hong Kong permanent identity card and a valid national passport; has not previously been denied entry to any of the participating economies; has never been convicted of a criminal offense; must be a bona fide business person who needs to travel frequently on short term visits within the APEC region to fulfill business commitments. A bona fide business person is taken to mean a person who is engaged in the trade of goods, the provision of services or the conduct of investment activities. It does not include entertainers, musicians, artists or persons engaged in similar occupations. Hong Kong Immigration Department for APEC travel card

Also Note – Its Not Free

Before we go into the next steps, also please note that you need to pay a fee. There are 2 fees if you have not yet applied for the Global Entry program before.

1) The application fee for Global Entry Program is $100 US dollars. You can also choose another Customs Border Patrol Trusted Travel Program if you’d like. To me, it seems the most common choice would be the Global Entry Program.

2) The application fee for the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card is $70.

The fees are non-refundable. So if this is your first time to do any of this (like me) budget $170 US dollars.

I was able to pay by credit card online. They also have US bank transfer available as well.

What You Need To Provide When Applying Online

So now we’re mentally ready. Have $170 bucks and about thirty minutes or so of application time. Now let’s cover what you need to submit so you can have everything ready.

Personal Information

These are the basics:

* Name * Email * Gender * Eye Color * Height * Language Preferred * Other First Names * Other Last Names * DOB (Date of Birth) * City of Birth * Country of Birth * State / Province of Birth * Home Phone * Mobile Phone * Office Phone

Citizenship Information

* Last Name (Paternal) * Suffix * Maternal Name * First Name * Middle Name * Date of Birth * Passport Number * Country of Issuance * Issuance Date * Expiration Date * Issuing Authority

You will then need to upload a scanned copy of your passport.

Primary Residence

This might be a tricky one for frequent travelers in Asia. But to the government, they expect you to have a primary residence. For me, I am pretty stable now in Hong Kong and China. In the application the dropdown for country didn’t have Hong Kong, so I had to select China as the country. Might upset some people living and originating in Hong Kong. Prepare for this, but I feel it would work for the application process.

Driver’s License

Do you currently have an active driver’s license? Not sure if an overseas or international driver’s license is acceptable. I don’t have any current driver’s license, let mine in USA expire years ago. If you have one, it should help them do the background check.

Current Address

Where you’re currently living? Might be the same as primary residence, unless you have situations where you’re living on the road? Fill it out as best as you can.

US Contact Person

It makes sense that those applying for this program don’t live in USA. So in the application they will ask for you to put a US contact person. This is where they mail the GE card will if accepted into the program.

These are the fields you will need to provide:

* Full Name * As of Date: * Street Address (2 lines available) * Apartment * City * State * Postal Code (auto fills) * Phone number

For the as of date field, I assume that means when this person became your US contact? For me I put down my father. Hope it doesn’t cause any hassle for him. I believe it is best to talk to this person before putting their name on this application to make sure things according to plan.

Address History

All the places you have lives in the past 5 years.

Yup, I know some globe trotters that could spend hours on this one here. Not sure how to help ya there!

Employment Status

Employment period Employer Occupation Employer’s Phone Street Address (2 lines) Suite City Province Country Postal / Zip Code

Employment History

Another tricky one for entrepreneurs out there. You need to list out the companies you have worked for in the past 5 years. Also they need the address is of each company. While I have had a lot of ventures, I have lucky enough to operated under my “umbrella” corporation Shadstone Limited, with the Chinese subsidiary in Shenzhen.

I think you can save the application at this step and come back to it. But I’d recommend having all this ready before starting the process.

Travel History

Have you traveled to countries other than the United States, Canada, and Mexico within the past 5 years?

Well, if you’re applying for the APEC card, then most likely this is a yes! They don’t ask for dates (luckily), but I did my best to remember all the countries I have been to in the past 5 years.

Conveyance Information

This one wasn’t applicable to me. Still not 100% clear. Doing more web research on it seems that it is applicable if you are going for the SENTRI application with Mexico. Seems it applies to residents of Mexico.

So think most of you can skip past this step.

Criminal Background

Here are the scarier questions. But you should know the answers to these as soon as you read them. I talked to one person who has a criminal record, and still got the APEC card. So, as most things in life, don’t lie here. If you have a criminal record, they will find out anyway.

Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense in the United States or any other country? Answer Yes/ No Details Country

Have you ever received a waiver of inadmissibility to the U.S. from a U.S. government agency? Answer Yes/ No Details

Have you ever been found in violation of customs laws? Answer Yes/ No Details

Have you ever been found in violation of immigration laws? Answer Yes/ No Details

Confirm Details and Process Payment

Yay! You’re done. Now you can go forward to pay the fee(s) for the programs. This was $170 USD for me, as I had to do both the Global Entry (100 bucks) and the APEC (70 bucks). Can pay be Visa or MasterCard, so not too painful.

Await Feedback to be Conditionally Approved

Once you finish the payment, you will now see in the online dashboard “initial enrollment” status. You need to check the status and login to this dashboard to see if there are any updates.

Your application for the Trusted Traveler program is now pending review. PLEASE REMEMBER TO REVISIT OUR WEB SITE FOR YOUR APPLICATION STATUS UPDATES. They will update your application status and notify you when you can schedule an interview appointment via your online GOES account. CBP recommends you periodically login to your GOES account at https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov for account updates.

Conditionally Approved – Schedule Interview

I can’t remember if I got an email notification or had to check by hand on the regular, but I was pretty excited about the whole thing.

Once conditionally approved for the APEC Business Traveler Card, you may visit any CBP trusted traveler enrollment center for signature collection. For a list of the enrollment centers go to CBP site

Below are some of the email notifications and what it looked like as I moved to the next step:

Sep 10, 2015

WILLISTON, VT PO BOX 946 Williston, VT 05495 US

MIKE MICHELINI PORT ST LUCIE, FL US

Re: Your application for the Global Entry Program and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card Membership  

Dear MIKE MICHELINI:

We are pleased to inform you that your U. S. Customs and Border Protection, Global Entry and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) membership application has been processed and you are now invited to visit an enrollment center to complete the enrollment process.

In order to finalize your Global Entry enrollment, you must schedule your Global Entry Interview within 30 days of the date of this letter. You do not have to complete the interview within 30 days. To do this, please log in through GOES (Global Online Enrollment System) using the user name and password you established when you completed your initial application. Once you have logged in, please schedule your interview using the blue “Schedule Interview” button located on the right side of the screen. If you have already visited the enrollment center for this application, please disregard this letter.

You must bring the following original documents with you to the enrollment center:

* A valid passport. If you travel using more than one passport, please bring them to the interview so that the information can be added to your file. This provides you with the ability to use either passport at the Global Entry kiosk and the ability to use the passport which will be linked to your ABTC when using the APEC lanes abroad;

* A permanent resident card (if applicable);

* Documents providing evidence of residency. Examples are: driver’s license (if the address is current), mortgage statement, rental payment statement, utility bill, etc.

When you visit the Enrollment Center, we will review your application and any additional information you provide at that time. We will verify your identity, review your documentation, and take your fingerprints and photograph. Finally, we will explain the terms and conditions of the Global Entry program, collect your signature to complete your ABTC enrollment, and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Your Global Entry membership number is, 9999999, if your account is approved, this will become your Known Traveler Number for your TSA Pre-Check benefit. For more information on the TSA Pre-Check program please visit their web site at www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck .

Thank you for applying to the Global Entry Program and ABTC. If you have any questions, please visit the Global Entry website at www.globalentry.gov . You may also contact the CBP Info Center at (877) 227-5511 or by visiting their website at https://help.cbp.gov .

Respectfully,

Supervisor, Global Entry Enrollment Center U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Interview For The Global Entry & APEC Card

After checking the GOES website to see they accepted me into the program or not, now I I had to schedule an interview. There is a long list of places you can get the interview. I booked my interview while I was traveling in USA at the Palm Beach Port. It is every 30 minutes from 8am to 4pm I believe.

I am not sure if I mis-read the website or what, but when I went to the interview, I thought it was in the PBI (West Palm Beach) airport. It was not connected to the airport, it was a few exits away on Interstate 95! About a 15 minute drive. Also had some train tracks to cross as it was right in the port and a shipment had come in (waiting for the train to load up and pass for about 30 minutes before crossing the intersection).

Maybe I should have booked the interview at a bigger airport center? Anyway, when picking the location to get your interview, don’t assume it is in the airport.

After getting there, it was smooth! The directions were perfect and I took the elevator to the third floor. Sitting down for just a few minutes, they called me into one of the two interview rooms.

The customs official was polite. Took my passport, didn’t need my confirmation number, looked me up. Asked a couple questions and then took my photo and my fingerprints. A few more minutes he filled out the forms on his computer. Whole process took about ten minutes.

Because I was doing APEC card as well as GE, I had to give them my signature. This interview room didn’t have the machine to collect my signature so I had to wait for just a few more minutes to go to the next interview room to have them collect it.

Note: I wish I had booked the interview at the beginning of the trip.

After my interview was over, he explained that they would mail the cards (Global Entry and APEC) to my USA address on the application. It would take 7 to 10 business days. There isn’t a way for them to mail the cards international. So I’ll have to have my father FedEx the cards to me in Hong Kong. If I had booked the interview at the beginning of the trip it would have been fine. Then again, I would have been too tired after landing at the airport. Having to go to an interview off the plane with my wife and kid waiting would have been a different challenge.

So keep that in mind when choosing the date for your interview.

How long should you budget for the interview? I’d suggest to budget about 30 minutes. Though when I asked them how long (I called the day before) they said it should be fast but if there is a computer issue it could be a big delay. So cross your fingers there isn’t a computer issue. Maybe it’s safer to book your interview after you arrive at your destination. For me, I had to rush to the airport to catch my flight after the interview, as I had to drive between the interview center and the airport.

Interview In Singapore As Well?

My friend Marshall told me he could have interviewed for his APEC card in Singapore. Before he got to test it, he took a trip to USA anyway so did the interview there.

Have you been able to book an interview for your APEC card in Singapore? Please let me know in comments or email me!

How the Interview Went

I’m sure many of you are nervous about this interview with US Customs. I do admit, it is intimidating. I walked into the center and it was just so quiet (wish there was some dentist office music to take the edge off) and I took my seat. They did have a nice waiting room with some commercial of the power of border crossing in today’s generation.

After Interview, You Can Use The GE benefits That Day

After I finished the interview, they told me I could use the Global Entry card the same day. That I should expect an email in a few hours with an activation link. I received the below email:

Also worth noting, this “temporary card” won’t work for Asia travel. It will work for domestic USA flights to go in the priority TSA line by typing this code in when you check in at your flight.

Email of Acceptance

Sep 24, 2015

WEST PALM BEACH SEAPORT 1 East 11th Street Riviera Beach, FL 33404 US

MIKE MICHELINI 9999999999 PORT ST LUCIE, FL 39999 US Re: Your Global Entry program and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card Membership #98999999

We are pleased to inform you that your U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Global Entry program membership has been approved. You may use the program as soon as you receive and activate your new Global Entry card.

In addition, we are pleased to inform you that your U. S. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) has been approved.

Economy: UNITED STATES Name: MICHELINI, M Sex: M Date of Birth: APEC Document #: 000999999 Expiration Date: 01 Sep 18 Passport #: 999999 Your new ABTC will arrive in 3 weeks. As a U.S. ABTC holder you are required to have in your possession a valid U.S. passport and any additional required entry documentation, such as a visa.

Your ABTC membership will expire three years from the date of issue or at the expiration of your passport, whichever comes first. Your membership expiration date can be found on the front or back of your card or by accessing your GOES account. Your ABTC membership will no longer be valid if your Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI membership is not in the active status.

Please visit globalentry.gov to review the program criteria for detailed information; and for a complete listing of economies where the temporary ABTC is accepted.

If you enrolled in Global Entry, you may begin using the kiosk immediately. Global Entry cards are only issued to Global Entry members who are U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents or Mexican Nationals (who are not current SENTRI members). Global Entry cards are not valid at the Global Entry kiosks.

Please visit http://www.cbp.gov/global-entry/about to review the program criteria for detail information.

As a reminder, you must closely adhere to the program requirements and any violation of law or regulation may lead to the revocation of your program participation, and could result in the issuance of a penalty, seizure action, or criminal prosecution. Please periodically review the program requirements provided during your enrollment interview.

Thank you for applying to the CBP’s Trusted Traveler Programs and ABTC. For more information regarding Global Entry, please contact an enrollment center nearest you, or visit http://www.cbp.gov/global-entry/about .

Director, Trusted Traveler Programs U. S. Customs and Border Protection

Once You Receive the Card, Activate It

Your GE card request will be reviewed and, upon approval, a card will be sent to your current U.S. mailing address within 4-6 weeks. You must activate your GE card prior to use and with-in 30 days of receipt. To learn how to activate your card please click here.

Activate Card

Log into your account.

You will see a box on the page, click on “Activate Membership Card”, enter your card’s PASSID and Security Code and click Next.

If you still require GOES Support please contact them directly at 855-USE GOES (873-4637) or (202) 325-8060 Monday – Friday 9am-4pm EST

What You Will Receive In The Mail

So after the email approval email, which came the same day as the interview, they mailed the card out. Unfortunately for me, I had my international flight that same day after my interview. The customs official told me they must mail the Global Entry card to my USA address.

My dad called me that next week to tell me that the GE card had arrived. But I was already in the airport heading to Asia! I spent a few more days in California before going East.

I told him to hold the card, as the APEC card was also coming behind it, and to mail all together.

This is where it is interesting.

They mailed my APEC card to my overseas address – in “China” (well Hong Kong, but they didn’t have Hong Kong as a country in the dropdown).

Getting the APEC card took about 3 weeks after getting approval in the interview. Maybe it took that longer because they shipped it overseas via post.

The Letter I Received

Here is the actual card I got.

Back Of The APEC Card (Countries Valid For)

People have been asking what the back side of the APEC card means.

Here’s a quick image of my APEC backside. (I blurred out the sensitive info!)

Honestly – this sometimes confuses custom officials when we are crossing borders. My friend William asked when traveling in America:

I’m back in USA right now and asked the TSA guys how I can get a country listed on the back of my APEC card. They told me…: That these new cards do not require it. Even though it says ‘countries allowed’ (or something like that) printed in back of the card, you can’t get any countries listed on it because the new Cards don’t require it. He went on to say that it’s not possible to have it done with countries on the back and to let border people know if I get into a situation at checkpoint again. So maybe you can update your blog post on that regarding APEC William

I have confirmed similar over the years having this. But it still confuses some customs officials and I need to explain.

How I have been Using The APEC Card.

It was nice timing to receive it. I just got back from a DCBKK conference in Bangkok, and the Letter I Received card was waiting for me in my Hong Kong address. I grabbed the card, no activation needed, and took it with me when I crossed into Mainland China.

It depends on which border you cross. When I was on the Hong Kong border, I could go into the “VIP” lane instead of the visitor lane. That saved me at least 30 minutes on this first time usage – as the line was almost out the door on the visitor line. I had 2 people in queue ahead of me, so got through in 5 minutes.

On the China side, at Huanggang border, I didn’t see a APEC or Diplomat line. So was stuck in the general “foreigner” line which had about 15 people in line.

I’ll keep searching for spots to use the APEC card. If you know some tips and tricks on using it in China, let me know. I asked the customs official when I got there, but she thought I wanted to use it as a China visa. Just some language miscommunication, so I gave up to not delay my entering the country.

Keep Your Personal Information Up To Date in GOES

They remind you that you are responsible to update your information in the “Global Online Enrollment System”. These are things like changes in your address, passport, or immigration status. The immigration status you need to update in person at an enrollment center.

Penalties or Lose Your GE Card For Violations

So you can still get scanned and examed crossing the border. If you’re caught violating the customs rules like smuggling in things that aren’t allowed or not declaring, you will jeopardize you access card and worse.

Resources I Used To Make This Article

Below are some core pages I used to write up today’s guide. ABTC official website GlobalEntry.gov – this is the website for the GE (Global Entry) program. It will have the latest maps and developments on the program. Their extensive FAQ And if you have specific questions, this is the contact information. GOES Help Desk via email through our support portal or phone at 855-USE GOES (873-4637) or (202) 325-8060. Also, once you schedule your interview, you will receive the contact information of that local unit. I called them up the day before my interview and they picked up the phone right away. I had a helpful agent who answered all my little questions. Made me a lot more comfortable before getting up early and getting to the interview the next day.

Remember, Need Both Global Entry and APEC Card

All these different programs was the more confusing part to me when I got started with the process. There are all these separate programs for crossing the border. Global Entry is the core program that you need as a base. Then to get the Asia card, you need to select that option while going through the GE application.

And during your interview, tell them about the APEC card as well – as they need to collect an extra signature.

Hope this guide helped you out. It was painful digging through various government FAQ pages and separate pages for various programs. If you can share your experience, there may be differences for different people and different situations.

How Long Does It Take To Get The APEC Card?

mike we have an inquiry: i would like to ask i apply the APEC card ,how long for the processing time ? Jessa from client services

People are asking us how long the process takes. Remember it is a couple steps – you need a Global Entry card and then an APEC card and also schedule the interview.

I’d budget a couple months.

Changing Details on Your APEC Card

One of the partners in our firm has their middle initial missing on their APEC card so it does not match the name as it appears on his U.S. Passport and this has caused delays at the China airport. How do we remedy this please? Joe

Tough one! I think the best bet is to login to the GOES website with the username for that APEC card and see if there is a way to edit it. That is where I edited my mailing address and re-ordered a lost APEC card.

They also have a support channel here

Lost/ Stolen APEC Card

Update Dec 21, 2015 I lost my APEC card! After all that work too. I kept it inside my passport, and I think it slipped out while going between borders…don’t recommend holding it there – will put in wallet next time.

I searched online and couldn’t find anything about a lost or stolen APEC card. I logged back into my CBP web portal, and into the GE card program, there was a drop down menu for programs – and luckily I could find a menu item for replacement APEC card. Clicking that, I ended up paying $25 USD for a new card, and it should arrive in the mail in my Hong Kong address in 3 weeks.

Hopefully sooner… will update once I find out more.

Lost My APEC Card. Again.

To refresh this section, I lost my wallet a couple weeks ago! And, on top of credit cards and Octopus card, it had my APEC card.

Tragic, I know. But really, I have to say it wasn’t too big of a deal to order a new one from the government website. I logged into my account and clicked into lost my card. I confirmed my address, and paid the $25 USD to get a new one mailed to me. It arrived in less than 2 weeks, to my Hong Kong office, no issues.

While of course I don’t recommend losing your APEC card (or wallet!) – don’t stress too much about losing your APEC card. And I don’t think someone can use it to impersonate me – it isn’t really a “driver’s license” or passport – so I’m not too concerned about that either.

Questions from Readers

Thanks for writing. One question i do have is that I am a software developer and have not currently engaged in work previous but will be doing work in Asia in the coming 6 months. Do you know what the threshold is for actually engaging in work? Mark

So far, I haven’t seen any specific requirements. The main idea is that they want to see you are in Asia on a regular basis and have an address here. Think you should be OK.

My colleagues- (a Japanese but with a USA passport and a Japanese with Japanese passport) in our Tokyo office, would like to apply for the APEC card. As he is a Japanese, I assume he has to apply in Japan and not in Hong Kong. Please advise and the forms that he will need to complete. Evelyn

The general eligibility criteria is one must hold a valid passport from an APEC economy (or be a permanent resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong, China), engage in regular business travel throughout the APEC region and have no criminal conviction ( Source ).

You may also check out the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for all other information regarding your colleague’s application for an APEC Card.

I Need a Chinese Residence Card?

Hi, i want to confirm if someone living in the mainland china with Chinese residence card can apply for this card. thanks, reader

Sure! You just need to prove that you do business in Asia – and are a passport holder of a participating country. Living in China with residence card is not a factor.

How About Your APEC Card Experience?

Now it is your turn! I’d love to hear your experience applying for and using the APEC card. I have thanked myself so many times when I entered a busy Thailand airport customs border as well as a backed up Philippines Customs line – how about you – check the comment section below.

Do You Think the APEC Card Is Worth It?

Looking into Things Do You Think APEC card is worth the investment?

Get The APEC PDF Guide Today

Take this APEC card information with you wherever you go!

Related Posts

Selling a hong kong company, jelena lucic of 1 clever dot, how to keep your supplier motivated, breaking comfort zones, journey to full time entrepreneur with tommy griffith, differences of hong kong and china, 45 comments on “how to get your apec business travel card (i.e. asia vip card)”.

Nice, didn’t know you could get it now with US passport. Knew someone that had it from Korea and we always went to the fast lane when he showed his APEC card.

hey Andy, Ya – I heard it a couple times over beers but was never sure. Hope this post helps people- you should apply – you’re in USA anyway and it will be pretty easy for you.

Not worth it for me now, only back to China a few times a year. So need to get global entry though…

Pingback: Hong Kong to/from China Border Crossing Guide

Pingback: Banks Report Earnings - Winners & Losers

Pingback: What To Pack For Your China Trip

Pingback: Border Hop Between Hong Kong & China (A Day in the Life)

Pingback: How To Get the China E-Channel as a Foreigner (Yes, even Americans!)

Pingback: Should You Live in Hong Kong or Shenzhen, China?

hi, do you just need to show your APEC card at the customs or does the custom officer needs to take it and read it in a machine? thanks

Hi Geroud, I just show it to them – but they do hold it – yet it isn’t scanned. Of course you still need your ID / passport – this isn’t an ID card – its simply like a VIP card.

A couple notes…. in Hong Kong you can no longer get the e-Channel with the US APEC card because Canada and the United States are transitional members of the APEC. You can still use the lane, but because it does not have HKG or CHN printed on the card it is not valid for entry using those special lanes. Also, if you have an APEC Card in the US you are not automatically allowed to travel to China Visa-free.

I’ve traveled to Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and China with the ABTC card and never had any problems. However US and Canadians must still have valid visas to the countries they plan to visit.

For the e-channel in Hong Kong, the easiest way to get the e-channel card is with your Frequent Flyer card. The other requirement is 3 entries to HKIA (HKG Airport) within the last 12 months. See http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/echannel_visitors.html

RE Huanggang or ANY Shenzhen border crossing (applies at SZ Airport too) — I have also used in Changsha, Beijing and Shanghai airports). Regardless of the signage you can always use the “Special Lane” even if your APEC ABTC does not have the CHN country listing on the back. However you should hold a valid L or Z visa. If you are trying to use the ABTC with a Q visa or other type of visa they COULD give you a hard time. Same if you have a China Residence Permit. Most of the time the border agents are too shy to speak English to you and don’t care. But just be warned that to use the ABTC you should be traveling on valid business (either to or from the destination). If you try to use the card to go on holiday in Thailand — they may have an issue with it — if they ask you.

Global Entry is completely worth it. Super fast clearance in America, and if you are traveling light without bags you are literally off the airplane and in the taxi/Uber in 5 minutes from deplaning. If you have bags, you have to wait like everyone else. Global Entry also comes with TSA Pre-Check so all your flights in America you just put that PreCheck number in your reservation and you are good to go through fast security lines. It’s worth the $100 fee just for that. Unfortunately you can only do the Interview in America and not elsewhere at this time.

thanks for this epic comment TJ!

Hmm – so I have 2 things now: 1) APEC card – for HK side 2) China e-channel – for China e-channel

have you checked my blog post about how to get a Chinese e-channel with a passport? https://www.globalfromasia.com/chinaechannel/

If you have the APEC card, can you use it simply for expedited access into Canada from the US? (US citizen) Looking at several Canadian crossings soon. I have GE and APEC.

believe its just for Asia – but to be honest not sure.

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to make the APEC Business Travel Card for U.S. citizens permanent.

See here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/504?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22s504%22%5D%7D&r=1

nice, I don’t exactly understand how to read that government website – but I’ll take your word for it 🙂

Very Nice article.

I tried using my APEC card at KL Airport in Malaysia, but the officer said no, we cannot process because you do not have Malaysia at the back of the card. It was confusing, APEC cars is for all the selected APEC countries, and yet you (US citizens) cannot travel to some of these places without visas. I am planning to travel to China in a few weeks, even though I am a PAEC card holder I still need to apply for Chinese visa. We see that the congress is making it permanent but still not sure what does that mean for the US, APEC card holders.

Hi Jack, Glad you liked the article! Well – yes APEC isn’t for immigration – you still need a visa in those places. I also carry a pamphlet to explain APEC with me when I’m traveling as well as the actual letter that the card came with – to give the customs official something as well. Many of them still havne’t seen it.

I am getting my ABTC in a couple months. Do you have experience traveling with a non ABTC card holder? There is no point getting through the custom quickly and wait for your boss/peer when they are still in the queue…

Hi Celic, I took a friend with me in Thailand without an issue – but normally I travel alone. Would love to hear if others have this experience.

Hi this is probably a dumb question but if my boss is already has his Global Entry Number assigned what steps can he bypass and where does he begin his process in applying for the APEC card? I am his personal assistant so I basically just give him the final paperwork for him to sign. So all the application filling out and preparation falls on me to take care of so any help is greatly appreciated.

Hi Kristen, you’d need to login to his current Global Entry system and then add APEC option

I understand that US citizens CANNOT use the card like a visa for China and Russia since the US is only a transitional member of the APTC program. Is that correct?

Americans CAN use the card for other participating countries, but the visa application process still looms over us card holders in the case of China and Russia.

Hi Brian, ya, I don’t use the APEC card as my visa when entering China and Hong Kong – I simply use it to go in the diplomat link for faster border crossing. hope that helps.

If you get a NEXUS card first, it will cost less and you can add Global Entry for free. However, you will need to interview at one of the locations with both Canadian and US Immigration officers. I did GE first and had to pay the full cost to add on NEXUS. I don’t know the process to add APEC card but I would expect you could do this at the same time since you need to interview with a US immigration officer.

Is there business documentation you need to bring to the interview ? What question do they ask during interview?

Understand GOES does not exist anymore. Its just the CBP. Global Entry is a waste of money, just get the NEXUS card and Global Entry comes with it automatically for free. I thought Global Entry meant more value when I was renewing my NEXUS card in 2015, what it actually means is less value. Global Entry is basically so people can have a card in their hand and the mindset is if you really want something in your hand even though it comes automatically with NEXUS, you pay extra. When I went to cross the Canadian US border last fall, I found out all this. When I went into the Blaine location one of the guys said it perfectly, you pay more for getting less with Global Entry. Do NEXUS and you get both. So in January 2018 I had my interview and got my card sent to my home. Just activated it today after getting my mail from being gone for a month. APEC sounds like a good thing, but often allot of these countries already allow you to use the lines with the NEXUS cards in hand. When I head back to Canada will visit with my new friends to make sure what is the best way if its needed to apply again for all these things. There are also benefits one can apply with the UK as well as long as you have been in and out of the UK I think 4 times in the last several months.

In answer to the earlier question about interviews for Global Entry (and APEC card) at the US Embassy Singapore, those were available (but backlogged for months) — I was one of the interviewees and it worked smoothly as of January 2018.

cool, thanks for updating us Steve! and welcome to the APEC card club 🙂

Hey, just got my APEC card but first time trying to use it at Shenzhen Bay was a bust. I was crossing on Saturday morning around 8:15 from HK. I was told to look for the Special lane. Showed the card to security but got pointed to the regular foreigner line. Special lane was next to it, but was longer and filled with elderly Chinese. Ended up waiting about 30 minutes, even though the line was not terribly long, processing seemed slow for a bunch of travelers. I usually cross earlier and since late 2017 with the new requirements that forbid crossing in the car, I’ve had good results. This time, I hung around HKG for a little while before going to SZ, but thought I would be good with my new APEC card.

Any other info to share on how to find the right Special lane?

Just went through KL immigration with my new US APEC card. They hassled me re the blank at the back of the card. I explained the new cards are like that but the officer said they haven’t been notified. She however let me through. Will see what happens when I try a different country in Asia.

The process of applying for a ABTC in Singapore is extremely simple and it costs SGD 100 (USD 75). The application is done online and the card is mailed to you via registered mail. In my case it took about 3 months to get an interim card. I just got the confirmation email that the final card has been approved and on it’s way within 7 working days. The validity of the card is 5 years and depending on validity of your passport the shorter expiry date applies. On the back of the card it will list the countries where you are allowed to enter and remain without visa for up to 60 or 90 days. For China it’s 60 days. Expedited border entry to me is no big deal. The main attraction of the ABTC is to enter without visa and the extended stay.

Just got approval for my APEC card yesterday (Aug 28, 2018). I had scheduled an interview (the first available was January 2019), but called the CBP office at the airport and they told me when I could drop in and officers would be available, since I just needed to provide another signature for APEC. Took less than 30 minutes.

I should add, the notification I got afterwards said I am approved from the time of my signature add that my, “new ABTC will arrive in 3 weeks.”

Very useful information but can I please check… Do we still need to apply VISA for Australia and Indonesia if we have the US approved APEC card?

Reading through makes me realized that we have to still get VISA even though it is listed under the APEC?

I travel a lot to Asia on business for my company. Am I still eligible for the APEC card? I am a US citizen.

I am currently waiting for my interview appointment for this card. I have legitimate business in China for getting the card, but I also travel around Asia for pure tourism/non-business reasons. The terms say you can only take advantage of this card if you are traveling for business. I’m curious if anyone has used the card for entering/exiting on any non-business trips and if there’s any actual risk to doing so. Other than checking the box that says “reason for your visit” on the customs form (which obviously isn’t verified), I can’t think of any way they’d know or care.

Great article btw!

Thanks for sharing and letting us know this kind of stuff. Would try to apply this kind of card and hope i can get one.

Great article!! Just wanted to add the reason US (and Canada) APEC cards don’t have any countries listed in the back is because both countries are only transitional members. Got this info from the apec office site. Also for those still wondering, APEC doesn’t replace any visas to the destination country you are going in. It’s main benefit is so you can use the fast track immigration lines if you are a frequent business traveler to those member countries.

Hi! As of 2019, I have had issues entering China using my APEC card. The immigration officer says it needs to be printed on the card. The primary reason I got this card is to avoid the crowded lines in China immigration. Is there a way to now get it printed on the card?

if holder Germany passport, but haven’t HKID card,can apply the APEC card?

I did mine w/ US pasport from USA – but I think it should work yes –

Pingback: Fight or Flight During COVID-19 Pandemic with a Family

Leave a Reply

• Skip to main content
• Skip to "About this site"
• Departments

Language selection

• Search and menus

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card

Related links.

• Fact Sheet: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card

Cardholders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ( APEC ) Business Travel Card ( ABTC ) can use fast-track lines when travelling to participating APEC countries. The Canadian pilot was launched on June 16, 2014 .

ABTC members get faster border clearance en route to participating APEC countries . They also benefit from Trusted Traveller kiosks when returning to Canada.

Eligibility

All Canadian citizens must be NEXUS members before applying for an ABTC .

The non-refundable fee is US$70.

The ABTC is valid for five years, unless the member's passport and/or NEXUS card expires. In addition, ABTC membership is invalid if NEXUS membership is revoked.

How to apply and renew

Applications and renewals are coordinated through the U.S. Trusted Traveler Programs ( TTP ) System . Once your application is approved, you will be asked to visit an Enrolment Centre to finalize your enrolment and provide a digitized signature. You will then receive your card by mail.

Canadian cardholders

Canadian ABTC members use designated APEC lines when travelling to participating APEC countries and also benefit from Trusted Traveller kiosks when returning to Canada. They must still present all required documents such as passports, visas and permits when using their ABTC .

Foreign cardholders

Currently, 19 of the 21 participating APEC countries issue ABTC s. Foreign cardholders can enter Canada using designated APEC lines, or by using the Special Services/Crew Counter, at eight major international airports in the following cities:

When using designated APEC lines to enter Canada, foreign ABTC holders will be required to:

• a valid ABTC ;
• a valid passport;
• a visa or Electronic Travel Authorization ( eTA ) , if required; and
• work permits may also be required depending on the nature of the business to be conducted in Canada.

Declaring goods

ABTC members, must declare goods upon arrival. Travellers must also report if they are in possession of restricted or prohibited goods or  CAN$10,000 or more .

They are expected to make their declaration to a border services officer upon arrival.

Participating ABTC countries

Canada and the United States are transitional members. The other full ABTC members are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam and Russia.

Contact information

For enquiries regarding the Canadian ABTC pilot, contact the CBSA .

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

• Global Entry
• Global Entry Renewal
• Nexus Renewal
• APEC Canada
• Sentri Renewal
• Global Entry/Nexus/Sentri
• APEC Canada /USA
• Contact Us Here

Fast Track Asia-Pacific from USA

Program Eligibility

The APEC Business Travel Card is available to accredited US business travelers and government officials who are US Citizens involved in bone fide business in the APEC region and who are members of a  United States Trusted Traveler program . Expedite Q Services will handle the enrollment into both the APEC program and the Trusted Traveler program  Global Entry  (at no extra cost) if an applicant is not already a member of the Trusted Traveler program. Applicants must hold a valid visa to the country they are traveling to at least 6 months validity on their passport; expedited visa appointments are available for US ABTC holders.   Applicants must have a clean immigration, customs and criminal record in order to apply.

Program Description

The ABTC (APEC Business Travel Card) card must be used in connection with a passport. It is valid for 3 years and has the following advantages:

• Multiple short term entry for a minimum stay of 59 days (and can be up to 60–90 days)
• Expedited border crossing in all member economies

In order to qualify for ABTC membership, Expedite Q Services will file an application for  Global Entry  and ABTC. Applicants will undergo background and security checks and must attend an interview at an  enrollment center of their choice . Here, biometric data will be collected (photo,  iris scan  and fingerprints) and providing all checks prove that the applicant is a low risk traveler in good standing, they will receive both membership cards within 7 to 10 days. The process takes up to 12 weeks to reach the interview stage.

Global Entry  is a Trusted Traveler program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Each membership card is valid for 5 years. Applicants must be in possession of either a machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card.

Existing  Trusted Traveler  members need only provide their membership details in order for Fast Track Services to for an ABTC membership. They will only make two payments; the Expedite Q Services fee and the ABTC fee.

How to Apply

Expedite Q Services specializes in the checking and processing of Global Entry applications. We are a private company and are not related to any government agency. We cannot affect the outcome of your Global Entry membership.

Step 1. Each applicant must pay the Expedite Q Services fee which is payabe after the appliction is submitted.

Step 2. You will be contacted by your assigned agent wwithin 24hrs of your application being assigned (you will receive an email when this happens)

Step 3. Wait for the outcome of security and background checks – this process takes 2-6 weeks.

Step 4. Receive confirmation and attend an interview at a US enrollment center of your choice.

Program Fees

To join the ABTC Program applicants must pay the following fees:

*Existing Global Entry members are exempt of this fee

Your ABTC membership is valid for 3 years from the date you receive your Trusted Traveller membership card.

Terms & Conditions

Expedite Q Services is a private company specializing in applications for global fast track and registered traveler services. We are not related to any government agency and cannot affect the outcome of your membership application. Please refer to our terms and conditions before purchasing our service. The PayPal fee is for Expedite Q Services application checking and processing service. You will be required to pay additional fees either at your interview or from the credit card provided on your application form. All fees for the service you are buying are explained on this web page. We issue refunds when we have not processed your application. Please email us at [email protected] with your refund request. Expedite Q Services is not accountable for any information, omissions or errors written on the website or on the application form. The maximum liability for any circumstance will not exceed the purchase price.

Fast Track Access

APEC Business Travel Card holders can fast track passport control at the 20 other APEC member economies:

Brunei Darusalam

Hong Kong, China

Republic of Korea

New Zealand

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Chinese Taipei

 Connection Status

 Application Status : SECURE

Page Secured By POSITIVE SSL 

Refund Policy

Did you change your mind about using our service? The quickest way to get a refund is to email  [email protected]  We will process your refund within 24 business hours. There is no need to go via PayPal to get your refund - this will be a lot slower and can take up to several weeks if you make a chargeback.

Please note we refund in full for applications not submitted or processed.

Expedite Q Consultancy Services Ltd

Expedite Q Consultancy Ltd is not affiliated with any government body. We offer paid assistance with services offered by the government – you decide whether to use us or go to the government directly. You can find all government services at a lower cost on the  official website . Our expertise is to explain the government jargon and simplify the application process

Service Benefits

• Advice and guidance over which travel program is the right one for you
• All questions answered by email within 24 hours
• No crashing online forms
• No perplexing government jargon
• Interview preparation and assistance
• Advice on documents required for applications and interviews
• Assistance with application denials
• Advice on criminal records and convictions
• Advice on visa requirements
• Recommendations and information on other worldwide fast track programs

VISA-FREE – Up to 60 days stay period | Business Travel Made Easy | Click here for more info!

Welcome To APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)

The ABTC program was designed to promote ease of travel for investors and business persons traveling for work throughout the Asia Pacific region. As ABTC holders you’ll have pre-clearance privileges, which means you can slide right through customs like a VIP.

Advantages of ABTC

Obtaining visas are a hassle. With the ABTC, you are allowed multiple entries into these countries without having a need for a Visa; VISA-FREE especially for China, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Russia

UP TO 90 DAYS

The participating countries provide a minimum period of stay of 59 days, with some going up to 90 days! It may save you lots of time and money from doing visa runs to the border and back again.

MULTIPLE ACCESS

ABTC enables you multiple access into 19 Countries; Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam & Thailand.

EXPRESS LANES

Long queues typically plague many airports and after a flight, you just want to get in and out quickly. The special entry and exit APEC lanes are available at major airports to facilitate your mobility.

UP TO 5 YEARS

The card has up to Five (5) years validity. No renewal needed for the period. No need to apply for a visa or entry permit, as the card is treated as such. Save cost and time of visa application.

LOW SECURITY RISK

As an APEC card holder, you will be designated with a lower security risk, as you have been pre-cleared by all these countries for travel. Keep your card visible when going through security checkpoints, immigration & customs.

Savings Gained From ABTC

Travel Cost for APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders was reduced by 38% during a 12-months period in 2011-2012 which resulted in a total savings of USD 3.7 million.

Application time and cost were reduced by 43%

Immigration processing time and cost were reduced by 52.4%, application fees were reduced by 27.8%, 91% abtc holders were satisfied overall with the scheme, special access to 19 countries with the abtc card.

An ABTC is literally a card that you keep with your passport. There are an estimated 500,000 APEC travel cards currently around the world. The ABTC essentially gives you special access when arriving at airports within the Asia Pacific region.

The actual ABTC itself is about the size of a credit card. On one side it will list your personal information and on the other, it will list the countries you have been approved to enter without applying for a visa ahead of time.

Our Satisfied Customers

Outstanding service and constant updates from Mr. Marvin! He is meticulous in guiding through the applications! Highly recommend for new applicators! More value-added as compared to the other providers with the same amount paid.👍

The ABTC card has really made my business travels easier. I no longer have to apply for a visa to China, this has saved me a lot of time. Plus with the priority lane accorded to ABTC cardholders – I have been on time if not earlier for my business meetings.

Very good service provided. will keep update on the status of application until successful. will recommend friends to use their service.

Good services provided and keep us updated. Will recommed to my friend

The service is good and they do provide me constant updates on the APEC card status and upon approval, deliver the card to my home. Great job and will definitely refer my friends to engage their services.

Hassle Free application. Great Service & Periodical updates on status. I travel a lot to China for work and getting a visa each time is quite troublesome. With the APEC card, I don’t need a visa anymore to 19 economies – Save time, Save Money!

It is great to receive my apec card from ABTC and thank you for a good service

It is great to receive my apec card as per promise within the time frame given , amd this card will be helpful during my travel over the 19 country , once again thank you

I am very happy to get my Apec card has promised, it was so hassle free, thanks for your prompt response and attention

Hassle-free from submission to receiving the APEC card; delivered as promised. Appreciate the periodic updates. Thanks for the good service.

Very good and efficient professional

Leave us a message below and get the FREE Download of Application Form & Checklist of Documents for the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) application!