What is APEC card holders

The U.S. APEC Business Travel Card will enable access to a dedicated fast-track lane for expedited immigration processing at participating foreign APEC member airports. … U.S. APEC Business Travel Card holders may also use the Global Entry kiosks at participating airports upon their U.S. return.

Who is eligible for APEC?

APEC member economies fully participating in the scheme include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), Thailand, and Vietnam.

Can APEC card holders enter Australia?

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, ABTC holders cannot travel to Australia without a travel exemption. … When travelling to and entering Australia, you must hold a valid visa. If you hold a valid ABTC with ‘AUS’ printed on the reverse side, you do not need to apply for a visa to travel to Australia for business purposes.

What is the benefit of APEC card?

Visa-Free Travel APEC cardholders do not need to apply for visas before visiting any of the full participatory countries listed on their cards. This unique benefit eliminates the need to apply — and pay — for multiple short-term visa entries, saving businesses considerable money on total business travel expenditures.

How can I join APEC?

To be eligible to apply for an ABTC you must hold a valid passport from an APEC economy (or be a permanent resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong, China), engage in regular business travel throughout the APEC region and have no criminal conviction.

Where can I use APEC card?

Nineteen APEC economies are fully participating members to the ABTC scheme: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, China, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

How long is APEC card valid for?

Valid for five years, the card eliminates the need for its holder to possess a visa when visiting other APEC participating economies as long as pre-clearance has been obtained during the application process.

How much is an APEC card?

ServiceChargeAPEC Business Travel Card (Australian passport holders only)$200

Can you use APEC card for personal travel?

Can you use your APEC card to travel with family? The short answer is no. Your APEC card is issued to cover business travel. APEC economies may require you to get a separate visa if you’re travelling there for tourism or other purposes.

How do you get an APEC card in Australia?

1. login to your ImmiAccount.
2. click on the ‘New Application’ menu.
3. navigate to the ‘APEC’ menu.
4. select ‘APEC Business Travel Card’ to open the online form.
5. select ‘Update Passport Details’ on page 2 of the online form.

Article first time published on

What is Pacific Australia Card?

The card offers invited leaders priority immigration processing at major Australian airports, priority processing of tourist and business visitor visas (subclass 600) and longer validity tourist and business visitor visas (subclass 600) where relevant conditions are met.

Is APEC a free trade agreement?

Current Activities. APEC continues its work on free trade agreements and regional trade agreements (FTAs/RTAs) in the region, towards promoting regional economic integration. Work and discussions on the eventual realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) also continue.

How long does it take to get APEC card?

In fully participating economies, each application takes at least two to three months to be processed, and in some instances longer as all fully participating members review the application for preclearance approvals. The period of time required to completely process an application may vary between economies.

How often is APEC held?

The famous meeting of APEC leaders is the pinnacle of New Zealand’s host year. It draws together work from throughout the year and is a final opportunity each year for Leaders to shape the future of the region.

Does APEC exist?

MemberLeader positionLeader (Leader of the Executive Branch)SingaporePrime MinisterLee Hsien Loong

How do I check my APEC application status?

After Applying Once the receipt of application has been acknowledged, applicants can enquire the applications status here or through 24-hour telephone enquiry system (852) 3160 8663.

How long can APEC card holder stay in China?

A card holder who presents a valid passport whose image and biographic data exactly matches that on the APEC Business Travel Card can enter China multiple times during the validity of the card for a stay of no more than 2 months for each entry.

What does APEC stand for?

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, is the leading forum in the Asia-Pacific to facilitate trade and investment, economic growth, and regional cooperation.

Is it hard to get APEC card?

Eligibility. The basic eligibility requirements are quite simple. You must be a citizen of an APEC economy and hold a valid passport, travel through the region on a regular basis for business, and possess a clean criminal record.

How many countries are there in APEC?

APEC members APEC’s 21 member economies are: Australia. Brunei Darussalam.

How long can APEC card stay in Thailand?

The duration of valid stay permit is up to 90 days for each entry (depending on the regulation of each country).

Can Indian passport holders apply for APEC card?

In general, an individual must be a passport holder of a participating economy (i.e. citizen) in order to qualify for an APEC Business Travel Card.

What is an APEC engineer?

An APEC Engineer is defined as a person who is recognised as a professionally qualified engineer within an APEC economy, and who has satisfied an authorised body in that economy, operating in accordance with the criteria and procedures approved by the APEC Engineer Coordinating Committee.

What is the significance of Australia to the Pacific region?

Australia’s dominant influence in the region is underlined by its status as the region’s primary trading partner and aid donor, and most prominent investor. Australia’s merchandise trade with the Pacific Islands was worth over AUD$7 billion in 20134.

What is true APEC?

APEC aims to help improve trade and economic performance and regional links for the prosperity of the people in the region. Since its inception, APEC has worked to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers across the Asia-Pacific Region, creating efficient domestic economies and increasing exports.

Who is the current head of APEC?

Rebecca Sta Maria is the executive director of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat based in Singapore where she advises and provides support for APEC’s 21 diverse member economies.

Where is APEC being held?

The summit – broadcast from the Aotea Centre in central Auckland on 11 and 12 November 2021 (NZT) – was a virtual gathering of the world’s most powerful CEOs, business leaders, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, prime ministers and presidents of APEC economies.

What is the difference between APEC and WTO?

The WTO is the only organization to promote trade liberalization on the multilateral level. APEC, on the other hand, is the most important regional trade arrangement from amongst more than one hundred such institutions on the basis of its membership and economic significance.

What are the disadvantages of APEC?

But APEC also has some distinct disadvantages as a forum for serious trade talk. APEC is not a mini-WTO in which serious bargaining leads to compromises and agreements at the negotiating table. Endeavoring to avoid contentious negotiations, APEC has adopted a more non-confrontational process with serious drawbacks.