Asia Pacific Economic Corporation or (APEC) Business card is a travel card issued to business travelers and senior government officials who meet specific requirements. APEC serves 19 fully participating members and 2 transitional members. It is known as the ABTC scheme.
Since I am curious about travel products and services, as well as travel-related articles that interest me, I am learning more about APEC relating to business travel card scheme. Because of the specific requirement of getting a card, I am not eligible because I worked as a blogger/innovator that has to do with travel and doesn’t meet with the “verified business girl” who works abroad for APEC. But I am eligible for the special government program (Trusted Traveler Program) such as Global Entry (currently active). Hence, the job I am currently working on does not have to do with conducting an APEC business abroad. Sorry!
I am going to write about the travel business card scheme.
What does the ABTC scheme mean to the business travelers?
The ABTC scheme is the abbreviation of a travel card called APEC Business Travel Card who participants in the countries. It serves 19 fully participating members and 2 transitional members.
What does it mean by 19 fully participating members and 2 transitional members?
19 Fully Participating Members:
- Australia
- Brunei Darussalam
- Chile
- China
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Japan
- S. Korea
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Philippines
- Russia
- Singapore
- Chinese Taipei
- Thailand
- Vietnam
2 transitional Members:
- Canada
- United States
How does it differ between transitional and a fully participating members of the countries?
Transitional members:
- Citizens must present a visa and required documents when visiting a country where it is required.
- Doesn’t participate in pre-clearance aspect of APEC Clearance.
Fully Participating Members:
- Can participate in pre-clearance aspects of APEC Clearance.
- ABTC holders who are traveling to Canada or the USA must present visas and required documents that are required by the transitional economy.
Travelers are urged to check entry requirements of their destination APEC economy before travel.
Both fully participating members and transitional members offer access to fast-track immigration lanes at participating airports.
It’s sounded fantastic to me. What are the benefits of having an ABTC card?
With an ABTC card, you can expended through special APEC gates where posted at participating airports.
Multiple, short-term visits to pre-clearance APEC economics without having a separate visa application to only fully participating members (19 countries above).
Note: An ABTC card does not replace your passport for any business travel or any purposes. A passport (and visa if countries is needed based on countries’ entry requirement) is required every time you travel internationally or cross your border.
I like the benefit of the APEC benefit scheme. Can I apply one?
Before you apply one of these cards, make you are eligible for the following:
- Bona Fide business person who travels frequency to conduct business such as investments and to participate in the APEC scheme actively. You must be a “verified business person” to become eligible for these special programs.
- Prerequisite of Global Entry member or CBP programs (that means you are already approved in special government programs or trusted traveler program).
- These include a clean criminal record of all entities (Yep DUI).
- Must have your valid passport at your participating APEC economics or citizens of participating APEC economies.
- You may be required to prove your business affiliation through a supporting letter.
Senior government officials are also eligible only if they don’t have any criminal records or convictions.
What doesn’t count as a “verified business person” needed to apply for an ABTC Card?
According to the CBP website, the following are not a valid business person below. These “unverified business person” (to get ABTC cards) include:
- professional athletes
- news correspondents
- entertainers
- musicians
- artists
- persons engaged in similar occupations
What does an ABTC Card used for? Can I use it for my leisure/vacation travel?
ABTC Card is only used for primarily business travel. These includes meetings, conferences, work, conducting business, and other work-related entities that have to do with APEC purposes.
ABTC Card is not used for any leisure travel. If you are planning a personal vacation, don’t use this card at all. They will ask you for a visit on your separate visa application for business and for leisure travel.
The ABTC Card is only used for:
- A business person who bears its own name on the card.
- A frequent traveler who need to travel frequency to conduct any business entities such as engaging in APEC member economics.
The ABTC is not used for:
- A user’s dependents, including children, students, spouse.
- Someone else other than your own name.
- People who wish to engage in paid employment.
- People who are on working holiday.
- People who are on vacation, including personal/leisure travel.
- Professional athletes, news correspondents, entertainers, musicians, artists or persons engaged in similar occupations.
Do not share your ABTC Card to anyone including business travelers who are going on business trip to APEC countries together. Store this card with your passport in a safer place.
How much will it cost for each card?
The US APEC Card is 70 dollars. If you are applying for the first time, you can register with global entry and pay a total of 170 dollars. This leaves with Global Entry with 100 dollars and US APEC Card with 70 dollars.
Note: You can also apply Global Entry for just 100 dollars, and then after the application has been completely approved, you can apply the US APEC Card here. I don’t recommend this strategy because of the lengthy processing times.
How long will my APEC Card last?
- If your card is issued before December 13, 2016, it’s 3 years.
- If your card is issued on or after December 13, 2016, it’s 5 years.
References:
I-Powers Travel - Tips, Tricks, and Stories 