APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[dajop]

To be frank, when departing MEL, I find the Express Card more valuable than my APEC card because without the Express card, they will still weigh your carry on, with it, they don't bother. Also, the APEC card does not get you though the security checkpoint any faster, whereas the Express Card does. At least that was the case with the old setup - I haven't tried going through with just my APEC card through the new layout yet.

OK interesting, the hand luggage piece is not a problem for me, as my travel is invariably MEL-SIN, and I just don't bother with carry on to Changi even if I travelled down to MEL with only carry on. And as someone who usually "cuts it fine" (ie arriving at airport at around 65 mins before departure) unless there are a lot of later flights leaving, I usually breeze through security and immigration, the more diligent passengers are already well through before I get there.

 

[nb123]

Hi all, have just gone through this whole thread, lots of great info, thanks!

I've seen some info in this thread about using the APEC card for holidays and it seems like it normally works, no questions asked. However, I have a couple of queries on this topic. (Btw, I'm an Indian Passport holder Hong Kong PR and I just got my APEC card approved) :

1. Let's say I'm going to coughet, Thailand, or some island like that. Surely they're not going to believe I'm there for business What's my strategy here?

2. In general, on entry forms, should I just be ticking business even if I'm there as a tourist and dressed like a tourist? Or should I just be honest and select holiday on the entry form? Has anyone been refused entry on holiday before?

Thanks

 

[millesm]

When I went to coughet on holiday I just ticked the holiday box and no questions were asked at all. The immigration guy had a quick peak at the APAC card and I was on my way.

 

[infoworks]

2. In general, on entry forms, should I just be ticking business even if I'm there as a tourist and dressed like a tourist? Or should I just be honest and select holiday on the entry form? Has anyone been refused entry on holiday before?

Thanks

I think it always pays to be honest. You have the APEC card, which has its benefits, but you are also allowed holidays!

 

[infoworks]

I am still waiting for my third renewal. At the behest of Immi, I submitted my renewal in January (even though my current card has a June expiry). It's now over 3 months, and the one country yet to clear is Singapore - maybe I go there too often!

Strange, as it's un-singapore-like to be inefficient. I haven't emailed immi yet as there is still some time to go. If not though in the next couple of weeks I will.

My past experience has been how quick they actually process, and (I would assume) with a good track record, they would go through faster (although I do know there can be country processing backlogs).

 

[nb123]

Ahh ok, I'll tick holiday then and just be honest

The reason why I was worried about this is that with an Indian Passport there are some airports / countries where I can't get a visa on arrival, so if they reject my APEC card, I might be screwed

Guess I'll just have to hope it never happens!

 

[infoworks]

Ahh ok, I'll tick holiday then and just be honest

The reason why I was worried about this is that with an Indian Passport there are some airports / countries where I can't get a visa on arrival, so if they reject my APEC card, I might be screwed

Guess I'll just have to hope it never happens!

My experienece with this, in places like Indonesia, is they accept the APEC card and the reason for travel isn't relevant, so no rejection and no need for visa on arrival. If you are APEC cleared, then you don't need visas for countries like China, PNG, Taiwan.

It would never hurt to check before you travel. For countries like USA, you can use the fast lane immigration, but they still require appropriate visas, as they are "interim" members of the system.

 

[simongr]

India still isnt on the list is it?

 

[dajop]

India still isnt on the list is it?

Given they are not even members of APEC itself, they are certainly not part of the APEC BTC program. The one APEC member that would be good to have added to the program would actually be Russia.

 

[moa999]

Given they are not even members of APEC itself, they are certainly not part of the APEC BTC program. The one APEC member that would be good to have added to the program would actually be Russia.

I think there is an entire Russian bureacracy (and a lot of foreign $ income) supported by that visa... that said - China agreed to do it.

 

[moa999]

Well I was wrong


Russia
is now playing ball. Well at least partial ball (like the US and Canada)

Came across this randomly on the web
http://www.montreal.mid.ru/press/222_en.html

Under the decree, which comes into force since 12th April 2010, the ABTC holders will enjoy special fast-track entry and exit lanes at international airports and seaports. Although the ABTC cardholder is still to apply for entry visa, unless otherwise exempt under international agreements of the Russian Federation, our Embassy (Consulate General) will process such visa applications in a priority mode, including same day visa processing....

Please notice that on arrival to Russia the ABTC cardholder should show his passport with visa and the card to pass through the lanes «For APEC Business Travel Card holders» or «For ABTC holders», which can be the same as «For Diplomatic passport holders».

have sent email to sydney consulate for clarification on the priority mode processing.


Edit:
NZ Embassy has similar note on their page.
http://www.russianembassy.co.nz/index.php?categ=54
Interestingly promising same-day visa processing, versus standard bet of 2-working days. No mention of feeds

[And dammm... this would have been a great second 1000th post]

 

[QF WP]

I wonder if I'm going to be the only person on AFF to get the APEC card and not had the opportunity to use it since I had it issued

 

[moa999]

I wonder if I'm going to be the only person on AFF to get the APEC card and not had the opportunity to use it since I had it issued

How else to get to LTG, on either program.

 

[QF WP]

Domestic travel only....it's killing me :shock:

 

[moa999]

After 4 weeks finally an answer from the Syd Consulate.

Yes, the priority regime will be granted.

Doesn't say anything about time

 

[Fantic125]

I'm curious.....

At what airport/entry point do you think APEC card is most valuable?

At the one where the "Foreigners" queue is longer than the APEC queue....

From my experience, going out from AU at SYD is usually worthwhile.
Going into Hong Kong, China, Japan, etc where there is high volume traffic it's good.
Using it going into the US is variable, depending if the 'Homeland Security' is aware of it's existence....

 

[moa999]

Formal Russian announcement.

Russia joins the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Suggests that they will ultimately move to full membership.

 

[simongr]

Just wondering how everyone seems to be able to get past these rules on the ABTC:

These are sample reasons for refusal:

# the position occupied is not sufficiently senior;
# the applicant is primarily performing a support role rather than being directly engaged in the selling, sourcing, negotiation and formal agreement to trade and invest. Some examples of support activities are training, legal advice, interpreting, systems development, quality assurance, post-sale support/implementation;
# the applicant’s activities relate to the internal administration of a business entity (eg. human resource directors, recruitment director, financial directors, auditors, risk managers, technical managers);

I assume as internal audit I would fail on these criteria?

S

 

[NM]

Just wondering how everyone seems to be able to get past these rules on the ABTC:

My job title (which includes the words "Regional Lead" helps. And my job role includes a lot of "pre-sales" work on tender/bid responses, customer sales presentations, service level negotiations etc. So I have not had any issues qualifying.

 

[equus]

Just wondering how everyone seems to be able to get past these rules on the ABTC:

These are sample reasons for refusal:

# the position occupied is not sufficiently senior;
# the applicant is primarily performing a support role rather than being directly engaged in the selling, sourcing, negotiation and formal agreement to trade and invest. Some examples of support activities are training, legal advice, interpreting, systems development, quality assurance, post-sale support/implementation;
# the applicant’s activities relate to the internal administration of a business entity (eg. human resource directors, recruitment director, financial directors, auditors, risk managers, technical managers);

I assume as internal audit I would fail on these criteria?

S

Note also the last update date of this page, as it was amended very recently. The criteria published for eligibility are now much more specific and tighter than what appeared before. I have no idea whether this means that the internal criteria have always been that tight, and they are just publishing more detail to cut back on ineligible applicants, or whether there has also been a tightening of the eligibility - in which case there may be grief ahead for renewals.

I am suspecting the latter, and that there has been a tightening, as the criteria now includes demonstration of multiple millions of trade generation - and the suggestion that proof will be sought. I certainly don't meet that criteria - but was successfully approved earlier this year (just waiting for all the economies to finish).

It may be that the card was becoming too popular (and draining too much away from Visa fees...)