APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance

[infoworks]

My experience is that Changi is good - and they have an average standard of 20 minutes from plane to kerb they try to maintain, but like everywhere, some times are better than others. Recently 4 flights all came in the space of a few minutes and all of them were at adjacent gates, meaning all pax came through the one immigration point. I ave no idea why they didn't put two on the E side and 2 on the F side!

The APEC card will help on those occasions I am sure!

 

[cssaus]

That is right. As they add countries, you have to email request to be pre-cleared for that country. Once cleared you can request an updated card.

Here is the site: http://www.businessmobility.org/key/abtc.html
Here is the email address:'[email protected]'

Include your name anc card number. They will acknowledge your email.

The abtc people are really fantastic - helpful, have humour and responsive.

I've just downloaded the application form from the above website and there's nowhere on the form to indicate which countries you wish to have the APEC card applicable to.

Do I presume that when they receive a new application then you are automatically set up for all countries where the APEC is accepted at the time of the application?

 

[infoworks]

Yes, the system goes to all currently signed up members for pre-approval, after Australia does. Some come through relatively quickly (all were originally supposed to meet a standard of 2 weeks turnaround), most take a while (as evidenced in other posts on this forum).

Once you have your application number (APEC will acknowledge your application), you can track progress on the site and order an interim card when you have several economies approved. They will send the final card automatically after all current economies have approved you.

 

[cssaus]

Once you have your application number (APEC will acknowledge your application), you can track progress on the site and order an interim card when you have several economies approved. They will send the final card automatically after all current economies have approved you.

Thanks.

Presumably it's the final card that contains the photograph that was supplied with the application.

I've held off applying for an APEC card because of plans to renew my Oz passport, which I have now submitted. Once I know what my new passport number and expiry date is I'll mail off the APEC application form. I'm not expecting to commence travelling again to Asia until neext Feb.

 

[infoworks]

Nah, the interim card looks and feels the same, just has less economies listed on the reverse, and a different number, but same passport number. They don't need multiple photos.

 

[bigjobs]

when i applied for mine i just filled out the form and they accepted my application.

it seems to me that it does not matter if you travel to the APEC economies at all. i mainly got mine for leaving and entering Australian ports.

 

[infoworks]

i mainly got mine for leaving and entering Australian ports.

I think that's a good reason to get one!

 

[cssaus]

when i applied for mine i just filled out the form and they accepted my application.

it seems to me that it does not matter if you travel to the APEC economies at all. i mainly got mine for leaving and entering Australian ports.

Going out of Australia I've seen where APEC card holders can go thru but exactly where do APEC holders go on entry back into Australia (that is coming into Sydney)?

 

[infoworks]

Going out of Australia I've seen where APEC card holders can go thru but exactly where do APEC holders go on entry back into Australia (that is coming into Sydney)?

Keep to the left hand side of immigration (in either A/B or C/D) and it's the same lane as for aircrew. The downside is if you end up behind a jumbo load of crew but otherwise it's fast. There are signs pointing to it.

 

[bigjobs]

Coming back in to Aust just look for the signs. usually where the aircrew go - as has been mentioned.

 

[ronone69]

Heard about the APEC card on this board. I travel to Asia a quite a lot.

Takes a while to get approval through - I am still waiting on Singapore and China - but got most in about 8 weeks.

Have now applied for my Interim Card. This will save me heaps of time both in and out of all countries in the region

 

[JohnK]

when i applied for mine i just filled out the form and they accepted my application.

it seems to me that it does not matter if you travel to the APEC economies at all. i mainly got mine for leaving and entering Australian ports.

Wonderful advertisement for Asia Pacific Economic Co-Operation!!! You are all geniuses!!!!!!!!!!!! Not.

What a mockery of the system for personal gratification........

Anyone care to lend me a certificate for chemical engineer? Seems I can easily apply for APEC card and maybe I could jag some overseas work as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a great idea :roll: 8) :? :shock: :cry: :x :?

 

[JohnK]

Have now applied for my Interim Card. This will save me heaps of time both in and out of all countries in the region

It takes me around 10 minutes to get through customs and immigration at Bangkok, 15 minutes in Singapore, around 10 minutes in Kuala Lumpur and 15-20 in Jakarta. It takes longer waiting for luggage to come through.

Is the APEC card really that worth it?




I apologise for any disrespect

 

[ronone69]

Johnk:

I queued for 25 minutes to get through immigration in Melbourne on Thursday morning. My luggage was already out by then (yes even in Melbourne where luggage services are dreadful). Would have been through in 5 mins with an APEC card

Singapore is usually great. Bangkok can be good or you can end up queuing for 30 minutes. HK 15-20 minutes. Manila and Jakarta can be 30-45 minutes

Apart from the fact I HATE WAITING IN QUEUES, after a long flight the $150 the card cost I think is worth is wait in gold

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

Is the APEC card really that worth it????????????????????

This is what I mentioned earlier about people being spoilt rotten.

Wake up to the rest of society and stop trying to take advantage of every opportunity that is available to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After 314 posts here JohnK, I thought you would have understood that we're all here trying to make the most of our own situations - and get as much as possible for nothing!

Most people who travel for work do a significant amount of it in our own time - unpaid and when we should be with our families or doing some other meaningful activity. Any tool or facility to minimise the inconvenience should be applauded.

Last year, my longest waits:
48 min in KUL
1hr 18 min in SHA
28 in BKK
34 in NRT
...all b4 getting the card

The APEC card also provides VISA FREE ENTRY, which for we Australians, only means one country - China. Yet for all non-Australian cardholders, it means they can come to Australia (and the other participating countries) without applying for a Visa each and every time - the APEC card application process involves police checks in every member country to allow for this card which pre-clearance at immigration. This can be a significant benefit for our economy as well as our general "brand" to enourage trade.

Is the APEC card really that worth it????????????????????

Yessssssssssssss
.

 

[cssaus]

The APEC card also provides VISA FREE ENTRY, which for we Australians, only means one country - China.

What is the situation with Indonesia? Reading the entry requirements on the following link http://www.columbusguides.com/data/idn/idn040.asp it would seem us Aussies have to apply for a visa upon entry and pay for it too.

 

[infoworks]

Don't forget visa-free entry into Indonesia too (avoids the US$15-25 on-arrival visa).

I visit all of the countries I am cleared for, quite regularly for work, except the South American ones, and it is a great time-saver, definitely helps ease the immigration process (esp SHA, MNL, KUL, NRT, BKK & SYD), which for me is almost weekly somewhere, and supports our work/exporting in the APEC region.

As I have said before, the Business Mobility people at Immi in Australia are fantastic and this is a great service that, as frequent flyers, is a definite advantage to us.

 

[bigjobs]

John K - i'll try to remember to wave to you the next time i am passing through immigration and you are in the queue.

have you never taken advantage of an opportunity previously?

quit ya moralising ... oh, and don't bother to point out the irony of that statement - i am aware of it

 

[JohnK]

John K - i'll try to remember to wave to you the next time i am passing through immigration and you are in the queue.

No worries. I am the short fat bloke with the red carnation.

Sorry guys. Just throwing a little bait out there and seeing who bites. Shouldn't do that anymore as it get people worked up.

 

[M@rcoPolo]

APEC Interim Card

For those of you that requested an Interim Card...

How long does it take from the time you request it to the time you receive it in the mail ??