APEC Business Travel Card

[Beano]

I used to have an ABTC and it expired. I am sure the application criteria became more severe so didn't apply. Thinking about it again but one of the conditions in NZ is that it is not applicable if you are doing paid work. Is that the case in Australia?

 

[aaa99]

I went through the process at the end of last year. I applied for NZ version and there was no such condition saying it is not applicable for paid work. I just had to have quite bit of supporting documentation (from employer, flight tickets and passport stamps) to show that my work involves frequent travel to the APAC countries

 

[Beano]

I went through the process at the end of last year. I applied for NZ version and there was no such condition saying it is not applicable for paid work. I just had to have quite bit of supporting documentation (from employer, flight tickets and passport stamps) to show that my work involves frequent travel to the APAC countries

From Immigration NZ web site.

 

[aaa99]

I was not questioned on that.
It maybe refers to doing paid work in the country of visit?

 

[Beano]

Depends on how you define "Paid work". As an NZ citizen I can do paid work in Australia and if i go to Australia, Hong Kong or Singapore I could be working for a client who will pay my company. Is that not paid work where a portion of it is carried out in those countries?

 

[RealtimeY]

I think it's more akin to someone taking up employment overseas as opposed to fulfilling the duties of their regular job whilst overseas temporarily.

Frequently Asked Questions for APEC Business Travel Card Clients | APEC

www.apec.org

Question 15 – Can I use the ABTC for non-business purposes, such as tourism?

The ABTC is not designed for tourism purposes, but some economies may facilitate entry for cardholders depending on their circumstances. Please refer to the relevant economy for individual entry arrangements for cardholders and tourist visits (link).

In addition, the card cannot be used for travel by:

• Students;
• A business person’s spouse and children;
• Persons who wish to engage in paid employment or a working holiday; or,
• Professional athletes, news correspondents, entertainers, musicians, artists or persons engaged in similar occupations.

 

[Beano]

I think it's more akin to someone taking up employment overseas as opposed to fulfilling the duties of their regular job whilst overseas temporarily.

Frequently Asked Questions for APEC Business Travel Card Clients | APEC

www.apec.org

OK, I will try. Though I have been asked to pay Australian tax on work in Australia because the client thought we were "carrying on an enterprise" in Australia, i.e. paid work. It mean they took 30% of their fee off to pay the tax. We got our full fee by other means and never worked with them again. We now do fee up front before any of that kind of work is carried out in case this happens again. It was a small Strata Management company. I work for large International companies in Australia and never had that trouble.