APEC Business Travel Card

[seanQLD]

As I wrote, I rarely use Sydney. Only (approx) 50% of my flights are Business Class (I'd have to check if that one was or not). That said, am not and never have been a fan of Sydney Airport at any time. Maybe I was just lucky in November

I fly out of Brisbane much more often, and can confirm that ABTC card in Brisbane always gets the priority line for outbound security screening. In fact, I have only ever been asked why I am in the priority line maybe 20% of the time, I reply "APEC Card" and that's it. They seem quite happy with that answer. I don't recall ever actually been asked to prove it, by showing them the card or app.

 

[Daver6]

Which airport are you talking about? Security is AFTER immigration at SYD international departures, and there is a separate check for priority security after immigration, regardless of which immigration lane you went through. Is this a different order in other airports (legitimate question).

Prior to Covid, APEC card holders could use the crew lane for security screening at SYD. On arrival you could use the fast track lane for customs.

 

[soliloguy]

Which airport are you talking about? Security is AFTER immigration at SYD international departures, and there is a separate check for priority security after immigration, regardless of which immigration lane you went through. Is this a different order in other airports (legitimate question).

Referring to Sydney - had to go through security before presenting to immigration at the priority lane?

 

[Daver6]

Referring to Sydney - had to go through security before presenting to immigration at the priority lane?

When was this?

 

[soliloguy]

Both in December and as recently as... 3 days ago?

 

[RealtimeY]

SYD is in the process of renovating the passport control and security screening area, and moving passport control to be after security. It's still half half at the moment depending on which side you enter from.

 

[marks]

I fly out of Brisbane much more often, and can confirm that ABTC card in Brisbane always gets the priority line for outbound security screening.

We all know Brisbane is a better city than Sydney....

The priority security lines in BNE have clearly marked APEC access. Perhaps that should be the solution. Will try and get a photo next time I go though. Unless someone beats me to it.

 

[soliloguy]

Found out that Australia is currently the APEC Business Mobility Group Chair. AKA the group that oversees the ABTC initiative. Decided to email the Chair to state how ridiculous the experience going through Australia's largest city/airport is.

Email is [email protected] / [email protected] for what it's worth.

 

[Haplo]

I applied for my APEC card just before Australia day and had it approved with 3 days, and have received 10 country clearance already.

 

[LDN via BNE]

First time flying into Brisbane with an APEC card.

Is there an express path at immigration and customs?

 

[Daver6]

First time flying into Brisbane with an APEC card.

Is there an express path at immigration and customs?

I can't comment specifically on BNE, but you're entitled to use the air crew lane for immigration on arrival into Australia.

As for customs, it varies by port. Eg, Sydney has nothing. Perth has an APEC lane and Melbourne recently there's a business class lane you can use (but not sign posted).

 

[marks]

We all know Brisbane is a better city than Sydney....

The priority security lines in BNE have clearly marked APEC access. Perhaps that should be the solution. Will try and get a photo next time I go though. Unless someone beats me to it.

This is the Brisbane departures apec line for security. But everyone was funnelled into one line today.

 

[albatross710]

First time flying into Brisbane with an APEC card.

Is there an express path at immigration and customs?

If your questions relates to an international arrival into Brisbane this has been my experience as recent as Dec 24.

The crew lane on the left is signed for ABTC but I've never found it faster. For immigration I take the newer automated passport lane that doesn't require the preprinted card to be inserted. This means you don't stop off to get this little card first. YMMV of course. The ABTC lane would suit a foreign passport holder whose passport may not work through the automated gates.

Same for baggage. I just go through the regular baggage lanes.

Of course, if on the day you arrive AC, EK A380 and 5x 777s all arrive together then take the ABTC lane.

 

[LDN via BNE]

Arrived into Brisbane yesterday.

Immigration was quiet enough (and so used the normal e-passport lanes), but there was still a queue at customs from the early morning rush.

Approached the express lane on the left hand side (which was closed). Asked the closest staff member if APEC card holders had access to the express lane. Without comment or any check, the barrier was opened up and I was taken to the front of the queue.

 

[mandja]

Does anyone know how quickly your replacement card is issued (or how quickly the app updates) once you update your passport number on the Immigration website?

Hmmm
I have a new passport issued 2 weeks ago and didn’t realise that the APEC card finding automatically update

The Virtual APEC card still shows the old passport
My immi account has no facility to update the card
Call to the Australian Passport Office achieved nothing
I also called dept home affairs - also no help
I managed to enter Bali showing my card (with the old passport details ! M

So…. Here I am in Bali and will want to exit on Aug 16. I have sent emails to [email protected] and to [email protected]

I have received an auto acknowledgement but no real response. I have telephoned and left message but no reply

If I hear nothing I propose to exit using the card (with old passport no) but this is less than ideal !

Anyone here has such issues??

 

[Daver6]

Hmmm
I have a new passport issued 2 weeks ago and didn’t realise that the APEC card finding automatically update

The Virtual APEC card still shows the old passport
My immi account has no facility to update the card
Call to the Australian Passport Office achieved nothing
I also called dept home affairs - also no help
I managed to enter Bali showing my card (with the old passport details ! M

So…. Here I am in Bali and will want to exit on Aug 16. I have sent emails to [email protected] and to [email protected]

I have received an auto acknowledgement but no real response. I have telephoned and left message but no reply

If I hear nothing I propose to exit using the card (with old passport no) but this is less than ideal !

Anyone here has such issues??

In 2019 when I changed passports, there was a form to fill out to get the APEC card updates with the new passport details. I think I found it online.

Not sure what you mean by exit using the card? Usually you just flash the card for a special queue. For countries where it's your visa, I'd imagine it needs to match. Exiting....you're just leaving. What's the possible issue?

 

[RealtimeY]

My immi account has no facility to update the card

Do you mean you can't find the form?

 

[dairyfloss]

Hmmm
I have a new passport issued 2 weeks ago and didn’t realise that the APEC card finding automatically update

The Virtual APEC card still shows the old passport
My immi account has no facility to update the card
Call to the Australian Passport Office achieved nothing
I also called dept home affairs - also no help
I managed to enter Bali showing my card (with the old passport details ! M

So…. Here I am in Bali and will want to exit on Aug 16. I have sent emails to [email protected] and to [email protected]

I have received an auto acknowledgement but no real response. I have telephoned and left message but no reply

If I hear nothing I propose to exit using the card (with old passport no) but this is less than ideal !

Anyone here has such issues??

See below from the Home Affairs ABTC site:

Business Travel Card for Australian citizens

ABTC reciprocal entry arrangements are available in nearly all APEC economies. This page contains information on the steps involved when applying for a card.

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Updating us when you get a new passport​

Your ABTC is valid for five years from the date of issue. If the passport associated with your ABTC application expires within this period, the expiry date shown on your ABTC will reflect that of your passport. To make full use of your ABTC’s lifetime, you should advise the Department of your new passport details. When your new passport details have been updated, they will immediately be reflected when you open or refresh your Virtual ABTC. The expiry date of your updated ABTC will be five years from the date that your first ABTC was issued.

To update your passport details submit a copy of your new passport bio-data page through ImmiAccount.

To access the passport update details form, you must:

• login to your ImmiAccount
• click on the 'New Application' menu
• navigate to the 'APEC' menu
• select 'APEC Business Travel Card' to open the online form
• select 'Update Passport Details' on page 2 of the online form

You will be required to provide the document number of your current ABTC. As there is provision for only one passport to be linked to an ABTC, if you do not update your passport details with the Department, you may experience delays at airports and possibly be refused entry to foreign economies.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[mandja]

See below from the Home Affairs ABTC site:

Business Travel Card for Australian citizens

ABTC reciprocal entry arrangements are available in nearly all APEC economies. This page contains information on the steps involved when applying for a card.

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Updating us when you get a new passport​

Your ABTC is valid for five years from the date of issue. If the passport associated with your ABTC application expires within this period, the expiry date shown on your ABTC will reflect that of your passport. To make full use of your ABTC’s lifetime, you should advise the Department of your new passport details. When your new passport details have been updated, they will immediately be reflected when you open or refresh your Virtual ABTC. The expiry date of your updated ABTC will be five years from the date that your first ABTC was issued.

To update your passport details submit a copy of your new passport bio-data page through ImmiAccount.

To access the passport update details form, you must:

• login to your ImmiAccount
• click on the 'New Application' menu
• navigate to the 'APEC' menu
• select 'APEC Business Travel Card' to open the online form
• select 'Update Passport Details' on page 2 of the online form

You will be required to provide the document number of your current ABTC. As there is provision for only one passport to be linked to an ABTC, if you do not update your passport details with the Department, you may experience delays at airports and possibly be refused entry to foreign economies.

Cheers,
Matt.

Yes, that's what i was told when i finally did hear back. issue for me is that when i log in to my immi account I am not given the option to "

• click on the 'New Application' menu"

thus, i can't see the "APEC menu" etc.