APEC Business Travel Card Scheme: Clearing customs on international trips is one of the most frustrating processes I endure, once landing all I want to do is get to my hotel and freshen up. Enter the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme.
What is the advantage of having the APEC Business Travel Card?
- Completing one (and waiting for pre approval from each country) form gives holders pre approval to visit participating APEC countries at any time for multiple short stays.
- Access to Priority APEC Fast track customs/Immigrations lanes at most major International airports in participating countries.
The APEC Business Travel Card is valid for 3 years and is linked to your passport, so it is recommended that you have at least 3.6 years left on your passport so you get the full benefit of the scheme. In addition if you passport is either lost or stolen you will need to reapply for the APEC Business Travel Card.
How do I know if I am an accredited business person and how do I go about applying for the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme?
Membership conditions are that:
Application procedures vary depending on which country you are from, but application forms and information for relevant participating economies can be found on the APEC Business Mobility website here: http://www.businessmobility.org/key/status_tracker.htm
After you have applied and payed the relevant application fee (Currently AU$200 for Australians), you will then need to wait for your application to be pre-approved by each member country, after which you will be issued the APEC Business Travel Card.
| Participating Economy |
|
Length of Stay |
Application Pre Clearance time (Working days) |
| Australia |
APEC lanes are signposted, located at the far left of immigration concourses, and are shared with aircrew. They are available in both the arrival and departure halls of the following major airports:
- Adelaide
- Brisbane
- Cairns
- Darwin
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Perth
|
90 Days |
Foreign applicants: 21 Days |
| Brunei Darussalam |
Special APEC lanes are provided at:
- Brunei International Airport
|
90 Days |
Average pre approval processing time not available |
| Chile |
Special APEC lanes are provided at:
- Santiago International Airport
|
90 Days |
Foreign applicants: 15 Days |
| China |
Special APEC lanes are provided at:
- Beijing International Airport
- Pudong International Airport (Shanghai)
|
60 Days |
Average pre approval processing time not available |
| Hong Kong (China) |
APEC lanes are signposted and located in the Arrival and Departure Halls, and shared with Hong Kong Residents and Travel Pass holders at: · Hong Kong International Airport APEC Lanes are also available at selected ferry points and land control terminals. |
60 Days |
Foreign applicants: 14 days |
| Indonesia |
APEC lanes are signposted and located in the Arrival and Departure Halls at:
· Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Jakarta)
· Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali)
· Polonia International Airport (Medan) · Juanda International Airport (Surabaya) · Batam International Ferry Ports |
60 Days |
Foreign applicants: 25 days |
| Japan |
APEC lanes are signposted and located at:
· New Tokyo International Airport (Narita) · Kansai International Airport (Osaka) · Central Japan International Airport (Centrair, Nagoya) |
90 Days |
Foreign applicants: < 14 days |
| Republic of Korea |
APEC lanes are signposted and located at:
· Incheon International Airport (Seoul) |
90 Days |
Foreign applicants: < 14 days |
| Malaysia |
APEC lanes are signposted and located at:
· Kuala Lumpur International Airport |
60 Days |
Foreign applicants: 14 days |
| Mexico |
APEC Cardholders are entitled to use immigration lanes currently designated for air-crew upon entry at major international airports. Where possible, APEC lanes are signposted. |
Valid visas must be obtained if required by existing Mexican law |
Not applicable |
| New Zealand |
APEC lanes are signposted and located at:
- Auckland International Airport - clearly marked lane in the arrival hall.
- Christchurch International Airport-shared lane with aircrew, located in the arrival hall.
- Wellington International Airport.
|
90 Days |
Foreign applicants: 17 days |
| Papua New Guinea |
APEC lanes are signposted and located at:
· Jackson International Airport (Port Moresby) |
|
Average pre approval processing time not available |
| Peru |
APEC lanes are signposted and located at:
· Jorge Chávez International Airport (Lima) |
90 Days |
Foreign applicants: > 30 days |
| The Philippines |
APEC lanes are signposted and located at:
· Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) |
59 days |
Average pre approval processing time not available |
| Singapore |
APEC lanes are signposted and shared with Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents at:
- Changi International Airport (Singapore)
|
60 Days |
Home applicants: 5 working days Foreign applicants: 14 working days |
| Chinese Taipei |
Signposted APEC lanes are available in both the arrival and departure terminals.
· Chiang Kai Shek International Airport (Taipei)
· Kaohsiung International Airport |
90 Days |
Foreign applicants: 10- 14 days |
| Thailand |
Signposted APEC lanes are available in both the arrival and departure terminals at:
· Bangkok International Airport
· Phuket International Airport
· Chiang Mai International Airport |
90 Days |
Foreign applicants: 21 days |
| United States |
APEC Cardholders are entitled to use immigration lanes currently designated for air-crew upon entry at all international airports |
Valid visas must be obtained if required by existing United States law |
Not applicable |
| Viet Nam |
Signposted APEC lanes are available in both the arrival and departure terminals.
· Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) · Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) |
60 days |
Foreign applicants: 16 days |
Above table care of the APEC Business Mobility Group Website at the following address: http://www.businessmobility.org/key/ABTCArrangementsMarch2006.html
To Discuss the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme, Join the Business Travel Guru Forums and head over to our Customs and Immigration forum.