APEC Business Travel Card

[RealtimeY]

In practice do they ever question you on the nature of your trip, assuming it's not "obviously" for leisure?

 

[dajop]

In practice do they ever question you on the nature of your trip, assuming it's not "obviously" for leisure?

In Japan, yes, in joining the ABTC queue.

In Vietnam, Indonesia and China I have never been asked but with the latter particularly I wouldn't want to try it on, which is sort of moot at the moment anyway unless you still have a valid physical card.

 

[albatross710]

Not sure what it means by "effect if visa applied for" though (or why they'd cancel a card as a result!)

interesting table. good find.

I think "effect if visa applied for" maybe that if you are making a business visa application for NZ then you cannot enter on the ABTC for that country but instead use the business visa.

Other notes Indonesia doesn't allow entry for tourism but accidentally I've been using mine to enter Bali carrying my laptop of course and avoiding the entry tax.

 

[albatross710]

Heard that virtual ABTC will again be accepted for China arrivals from 1 May 2023.

Interim arrangements exist for a free of charge physical visa in the interim.

 

[Daver6]

Full details from the email I received on this

Dear virtual APEC Business Travel Holders,



The Chinese Government has announced that it will accept the virtual APEC Business Traveller Card (ABTC) from 1 May 2023 (00:00 Beijing Time). The Chinese Government has also announced that as an interim arrangement, Chinese embassies and consulates will provide visas free of charge to those virtual ABTC holders who:

- have received pre-clearance from China and

- do not have a physical ABTC



China continues to accept physical ABTCs from all participating APEC economies.

Virtual ABTC holders need to provide proof pre-clearance has been granted by China. If no such proof is available, the application will be verified by China. Applicants may contact relevant Chinese embassies and consulates for details, noting the specific requirements and procedures may vary at different diplomatic services.



Virtual ABTC holders may also wish to confirm the status of their pre-clearance to China on their ImmiAccount, or using the APEC ABTC pre-clearance status tracker via the following link: ABTC System.



The ‘CHN’ notification for pre-clearance to China will be reinstated on the virtual ABTC mobile application from 1 May 2023 (00:00 Beijing Time).



Kind regards,

Department of Home Affairs, Australian Government’

 

[kyanar]

Curiously, the letter for New Zealand ABTC holders is slightly different. It doesn't contain the words "free of charge" and details the process of getting a visa:

Dear Virtual ABTC Cardholders,

The Chinese Government has announced that it will accept the virtual APEC Business Traveller Card (ABTC) from 1 May 2023 (00:00 Beijing Time). The ‘CHN’ notification for pre-clearance to China will be reinstated on the virtual ABTC mobile application from 1 May 2023 (00:00 Beijing Time). China continues to accept physical ABTCs from all participating APEC economies.

The Chinese Government has also announced that as an interim arrangement, Chinese embassies and consulates will facilitate business visa applications for virtual ABTC holders who:

• have received pre-clearance from China and

• do not have a physical ABTC

The applicants concerned can directly refer to the relevant Chinese embassies and consulates for details because the specific requirements and procedures may be varied at different diplomatic services. If you are a cardholder based in New Zealand, please follow the steps below*:

• Complete the visa application online through 中国签证在线填表

• Make a booking through 中国签证在线预约 to submit the application in person. If you are unable to find any available slot but need to travel urgently, you may visit the Embassy or Consulate without an appointment – there may be a waiting period. You need to identify yourself as a virtual ABTC holder intending to submit a business visa application.

• With your application, please provide proof that pre-clearance has been granted by China. This can be a printout of the ABTC pre-clearance status via ABTC System (abtc-aps.org) and a copy of your ABTC application approval email. If no such proof is available, the application will be verified by China.

• A letter of invitation from a hosting company in China will be required. The diplomatic and consular missions in New Zealand do not have the privilege to waive the fee due to the current settings in the visa system. For anyone seeking a waiver of the fee and or invitation letter, the request will be forwarded to head office for approval.

(* The above information is subject to change. Please always follow instructions provided by the Embassy or Consulate)

APEC Business Travel Card Processing Team

Immigration New Zealand

 

[hummel]

Received the email re: China APEC which is good news.

Shame Vietnam is still stuck in the covid-era and no one has thought just maybe they should re-enact APEC

Note: Those that renewed during Covid period are still waiting on VN renewal, as crazy as it may seem.

 

[albatross710]

Note: Those that renewed during Covid period are still waiting on VN renewal, as crazy as it may seem.

As well as VN, I'm also waiting PNG

 

[Robwh]

I'm having an issue with the ABTC app. Every time I open it it won't update. I get a message saying there's a server error. In desperation I un-installed & re-installed the app , but when I entered my details & pressed NEXT I got the same message. Now, of course, I don't have a virtual card at all &trying to find help with it is extraordinarily difficult. Any suggestions anybody ?

 

[albatross710]

I'm having an issue with the ABTC app. Every time I open it it won't update. I get a message saying there's a server error. In desperation I un-installed & re-installed the app , but when I entered my details & pressed NEXT I got the same message. Now, of course, I don't have a virtual card at all &trying to find help with it is extraordinarily difficult. Any suggestions anybody ?

I have seen this as a generic error. If it helps I was able to simulate it just now on iphone by removing internet access for the ABTC app. So maybe check that when you install the app you are granting data access for the app.

 

[Daver6]

Just checked mine. Throws a server error too when trying to update. So suspect this is a system wide issue (which is good news as more likely to be fixed in a timely manner).

 

[Robwh]

Just checked mine. Throws a server error too when trying to update. So suspect this is a system wide issue (which is good news as more likely to be fixed in a timely manner).

I've checked with 2 friends who both have ABTC & they're not having issues .

 

[Robwh]

You're never going to believe this - I just did a software update for the phone (Galaxy S22) & re-installed the ABTC app & all's well. What a carry on !

 

[fijime]

As well as VN, I'm also waiting PNG

I called up directly for PNG and got it pushed through the following day. Note their gov emails do not work at all - so ask for their gmail accounts.

 

[albatross710]

I called up directly for PNG and got it pushed through the following day. Note their gov emails do not work at all - so ask for their gmail accounts.

do you mean you called aust immigration or you called PNG?

 

[Daver6]

I've checked with 2 friends who both have ABTC & they're not having issues .

You're never going to believe this - I just did a software update for the phone (Galaxy S22) & re-installed the ABTC app & all's well. What a carry on !

I reckon it was a transient server issue. I just checked again now and it's working for me too.

Either way, all is well that ends well....and now you have the latest security patch on your phone too

 

[albatross710]

I reckon it was a transient server issue. I just checked again now and it's working for me too.

Either way, all is well that ends well....and now you have the latest security patch on your phone too

also a good reminder to sync before heading off, which is what Robwh was displaying that prep is always essential.

 

[fijime]

do you mean you called aust immigration or you called PNG?

I called PNG.

 

[mc-]

Anyone had China/CHN appear on their virutal ABTC today, being May 1st?

 

[Electraglide]

Anyone had China/CHN appear on their virutal ABTC today, being May 1st?

Nothing changed on mine as yet