APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[Yada Yada]

Thanks to all for making this info available. I travel to SIN, KUL and HKG 3-4 times a year so will apply for one of these cards.

 

[cowombat]

Beijing

I'm making my 1st trip to Beijing with APEC card next week. Can anyone advise if the APEC lane is clearly marked?

9/12 I can answer my own question. It is marked at Beijing.... on the far left of all lanes. Very fast, very efficient....

I had come out of Narita on JAL. The check-in clerk was unaware of the APEC card and had to call a supervisor who affirmed I was ok to travel without a visa in my passport

12/12 Departing Beijing was just as fast.... but was a bit of a blurr, because I had an escort. Good thing to stay at the Kerry Centre Shangri-La. This is (I'm told) the only hotel that has authorized escorts who can go through all pax areas of the terminal. On arrival the guy was waiting at the end of the aerobridge. On departure he took me to the lounge and made sure I was comfortable! Re the APEC card on departure, he took me through the diplomatic lane (beating a long queue). The customs guy on the desk was unaware of the APEC card, and was trying to find the visa in my passport. My escort explained APEC (he knew it) and the customs guy called a colleague, who affirmed validity etc... straight through then. So I think it's still a learning curve for some of them, and it helps to have a guide.

 

[QF WP]

My list hasn't increased since my last post (22 Oct), however I need to email them about adding SIN. Better get off my butt...

 

[cssaus]

Since receiving a receipted letter from DIMIA dated November 17 the only economy I've been cleared for so far is Australia.

Is it really that slow to get approvals?

 

[Dave Noble]

Since receiving a receipted letter from DIMIA dated November 17 the only economy I've been cleared for so far is Australia.

Is it really that slow to get approvals?

After about 4 weeks, you should find that most countries will appear v quickly

Dave

 

[QF WP]

Agree with Dave Noble (how unexpected :roll: )

I lodged my application and had my DMIMA letter (dated 1 September) arrive on 5 September. When I checked a month later (see my post on 6 Oct), I had 7 counties listed. On 14 Oct, when I checked again, another 1 had been added. By 22 October, a further 1 had been added.

Now to email them and add Singapore to my list.

 

[Damien]

Now to email them and add Singapore to my list.

Singapore is working through the list of all cardholders and gradually adding everyone, so there really isn't a need to email and ask. Apparently, this is most unusual for new economies.

I was told this when I asked around a month ago.

 

[infoworks]

Yes, and a slow process. I have been in and out of SIN several times already and mostly OK - no lines, but have been on a couple of occasions when the APEC card would have helped. Oh well.

 

[RTWFF]

Saturday 10 December

I came in through International Terminal 2 at Sydney off a United flight and found there were two counters open but only one line - of SQ flight attendants. The geography of the place (there's a bloody great pole obscuring the view) meant that I couldn't see there was a second desk until I saw some passengers from the general queue being beckoned over. Still, I got through pretty quickly after that, and had the usual wave-through by AQIS - can't remember the last time I had to queue to get bags x-rayed

 

[clifford]

Yes, and a slow process. I have been in and out of SIN several times already and mostly OK - no lines, but have been on a couple of occasions when the APEC card would have helped. Oh well.

Did someone say that Australia wasn't part of Asia?

Can't remember who, though. (No suggestions please).

 

[RTWFF]

Did someone say that Australia wasn't part of Asia?

Now now, Clifford - this card is for APEC - Asia-Pacific - Chile isn't part of Asia either, and you can use the card there

Interestingly one place you can't use the card is Australia - for photo ID when travelling domestically on an international flight (do any of those exist any more?)

 

[cssaus]

Been monitoring the progress of my APEC application since I got the acknowledgement letter dated Nov 22.

So far I'm seeing:

You have been pre-cleared by the following economies:
Australia
Chile
Malaysia
Japan
Chinese Taipei

Would have thought the Kiwi approval would have come thru by now. Can't say I'm expecting to travel to Chile any time soon.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Interestingly one place you can't use the card is Australia - for photo ID when travelling domestically on an international flight (do any of those exist any more?)

They certainly do. Some AFFers have been known to hunt them out in preference to domestic flights :wink:

 

[Dave Noble]

Interestingly one place you can't use the card is Australia - for photo ID when travelling domestically on an international flight (do any of those exist any more?)

That is incorrect. They are perfectly valid for use as photo ID for domestic travel in Australia. I had this issue a few months ago when checking in at CNS where the agent didn't want to accept it; I took it up with customer relations since the APEC is a government issued ID and they investigated and came back saying that the agent was incorrect and that they would ensure that all the airports were reminded that these are valid for use as ID.

That's the fun of having a card that airline staff don't know/understand about

Dave

 

[RTWFF]

That is incorrect. They are perfectly valid for use as photo ID for domestic travel in Australia. I had this issue a few months ago when checking in at CNS where the agent didn't want to accept it; I took it up with customer relations since the APEC is a government issued ID and they investigated and came back saying that the agent was incorrect and that they would ensure that all the airports were reminded that these are valid for use as ID.

That's the fun of having a card that airline staff don't know/understand about

I concede my experience is over 12 months old. The check-in agent verified with Sydney control that it was acceptable but when I went through the domestic line in Melbourne on arrival a rather snooty supervisor told me it was not acceptable. I gave up at that point

 

[262sammy]

Hi all

As a rookie contributor let me first take the opportunity to thank everyone for all the fantastic tips, tricks, and stories I have read in the last few months. All very entertaining and educational, thank you.

I am aware of the “business” eligibility criteria of the APEC card, my company should be able to support this, however I have not done much ASPAC travel in the last 12 months. My job requirements have changed as of Jan and it appears that I will be doing a lot of ASPAC travel in the future. I note the form has a section for number of trips between APEC economies. Has anyone been approved based on future travel of is there a need to have definite runs on the board?

 

[cssaus]

I am aware of the “business” eligibility criteria of the APEC card, my company should be able to support this, however I have not done much ASPAC travel in the last 12 months. My job requirements have changed as of Jan and it appears that I will be doing a lot of ASPAC travel in the future. I note the form has a section for number of trips between APEC economies. Has anyone been approved based on future travel of is there a need to have definite runs on the board?

If you look at the actual application form itself, the only questions asked are:
Number of trips between APEC economies per year
Average length of trip

There's nothing on the form asking for specific information about prior APEC trips. Therefore, just fill in the form and put a guesstimate in about what you'll be doing in the way of travel this coming year.

 

[RTWFF]

The truth, the whole truth, and ...

I heartily recommend doing to that government form what I do with every other government form where the data can't be independently verified - lie. eg. "Purpose of Travel?" It's always "Business" for me, as in "None of your cough*ing business". Just because a government believes it has a right to collect data from you, willy-nilly, there is no need to indulge them in their fantasies. Indulge them in yours, instead

 

[262sammy]

Thanks RTWFF and cssaus that is fine advice. I was just concerned that there may be some form of reconciliation to the immi system for verification... Both fair comments!

 

[Dave Noble]

That is incorrect. They are perfectly valid for use as photo ID for domestic travel in Australia. I had this issue a few months ago when checking in at CNS where the agent didn't want to accept it; I took it up with customer relations since the APEC is a government issued ID and they investigated and came back saying that the agent was incorrect and that they would ensure that all the airports were reminded that these are valid for use as ID.

That's the fun of having a card that airline staff don't know/understand about

I concede my experience is over 12 months old. The check-in agent verified with Sydney control that it was acceptable but when I went through the domestic line in Melbourne on arrival a rather snooty supervisor told me it was not acceptable. I gave up at that point

The definition for valid ID as defined by AQIS

You will need to produce one of the following documents that must be valid and include your full name and photograph

A National Passport

A Motor vehicle driver's licence issued under a law of the Commonwealth of Australia or of an Australian State or Territory

A document issued by the Commonwealth of Australia or an Australian State or Territory or by an authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, or an Australian State or Territory, that identifies you

An aviation security identity card issued by the operator of the aircraft or the operatory of an airport in Australia

An APEC card meets the criteria defined

Dave