APEC card experiences

[BrentH]

Looking at APEC cards to speed up queues in USA, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines (particularly the Philippines after spending nearly 2 hours waiting in line exiting last time).

Do they speed up departure? Or just arrival?

Has anyone used them at MNL (terminal 1)?

 

[dajop]

Do they speed up departure? Or just arrival?

Has anyone used them at MNL (terminal 1)?

It can save a lot of time in MNL departing by using the APEC/diplomat lane to the right. I went through MNL T1 last week, but not a good example. There were less people and more counters in the regular queue, so used it, my wait was all of 30 ... seconds.

 

[moa999]

Definitely both.
In Australia more use on departure generally, I normally use my chip passport on entry

 

[Danger]

Singapore only offers APEC lanes on arrival, not departure.

 

[Danger]

Does the card remove the need for a visa when travelling to Vietnam?

 

[moa999]

Yes China, Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as US entry is where the card is of most use for Australians

 

[BrentH]

Does the card remove the need for a visa when travelling to Vietnam?

According to the website:

Through a single application form, the scheme allows accredited business people to obtain an APEC Business Travel Card for multiple short-term visits to other APEC economies over a three year period. This saves business people time and effort involved in applying for individual visas or entry permits each time they want to travel for business.

There are 18 of the 21 APEC economies who fully participate in the APEC Business Travel Card scheme.The 18 fully participating economies are:

• Australia
• Brunei Darussalam
• China
• Chile
• Hong Kong, China
• Korea
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Peru
• the Philippines
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Singapore
• Chinese Taipei
• Thailand
• Vietnam.

 

[TonyHancock]

Russia joined the list as of June 2013.

 

[Danger]

Russia joined the list as of June 2013.

It seems the A in APEC is becoming less important, which is a good thing for cardholders.

 

[777]

It seems the A in APEC is becoming less important, which is a good thing for cardholders.

Russia is the largest country in Asia!

 

[Isochronous]

How hard is it to get one?

 

[defurax]

It seems the A in APEC is becoming less important, which is a good thing for cardholders.

Well, the Kamchatka peninsula is on the Pacific ocean. A real economic powerhouse region

 

[moa999]

Isochronus,
Much harder than our was two years ago, but easier than it was a year ago. All depends on your employer

 

[Danger]

It seems my poor grasp of geography has shown its ugly face again.

 

[HKGNZL]

It's particularly useful to avoid visa application eg China and Indonesia. Beware very strict on accompanying persons. Won't let my wife and 4 yr old to join me at APEC queue (tried SIN and Oz).

 

[Cruiser Elite]

It's particularly useful to avoid visa application eg China and Indonesia. Beware very strict on accompanying persons. Won't let my wife and 4 yr old to join me at APEC queue (tried SIN and Oz).

Have never had a prob in / out MEL / SIN / PEK / PVG with non APEC pax accompanying me thru immig.

Must add only ever been +1 but I am amazed you have prob as family group. Others with exp?

 

[HKGNZL]

I think +1 is ok but not more. Given choice take my wife or daughter but not both. Been same in PER and SIN.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I've had no problems with +1 in any port. SIN is definitely no problem in my experience.

 

[DeKa]

+1 ok for me too, even in LAX.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

OK seems +1 no prob - OP has had problems +2 incl 1 child - any APEC holders with diff experiences?

I know I have been into MNL and CRK with +2 adults - I am still staggered that +2 as family group was refused.