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Citizens of APEC member countries have the option of applying for a special travel document. APEC Business Travel CardIt gives them immigration rights when they travel in the community.
The cards are issued specifically for individual countries, with a reverse stating where the cardholder is entitled to preferential immigration treatment (countries must verify each applicant’s application separately).
It is not well known that US and Canadian citizens can apply for this card, which is useful even when a visa is not required to visit most APEC countries due to the Visa Waiver Agreement for Americans and Canadians.
The main advantage for them is that they can use fast routes when traveling to participating APEC countries.
For interested US citizens, you may apply for this card if you are an International Entry member in good standing. Canadians are required to hold a valid NEXUS membership in good standing.
Both the United States and Canada have the easiest approval process of all APEC members because there are no difficult requirements, while other countries require references and valid reasons to take the card during the application process.
Neither Canada nor the US is a full participant in the ABTC program, the card contains visa waiver provisions, but card members of other nationalities are eligible to receive preferential appointments for Canadian or US visa applications.
This makes Canadian/US issued cards a fast lane / fast track card for immigration checkpoints.
You can find information and details about the application process for Canada here.
ABTC Members get fast border clearance on their way to membership APEC Countries. You will also benefit from reliable travel kiosks on your return to Canada.
All Canadian citizens must be a member of NEXUS ABTC.
The non-refundable fee is $70.
of ABTC The member’s passport and/or NEXUS card is valid for five years unless it expires. in addition, ABTC If NEXUS membership is cancelled, membership is void.
Applications and renewals are coordinated through the US Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) system. Once your application is approved, you will be asked to visit the Registration Center to complete your registration and provide a digital signature. You will then receive your card in the mail.
Canadian ABTC Members use named APEC Lines when traveling to participate APEC Countries and also use trusted travel kiosks when returning to Canada. They still need to provide all necessary documents like passport, visa and permits when using ABTC.
As for requirements, it only lists NEXUS membership. Once you get this, you can say “I want” and pay $70 to process the application and receive the card. The only difficult part may be getting an appointment at the office where you are applying for Global Entry/Nexus, which can take several months to wait.
You can find more information about the US version of ABTC here.
The US APEC Business Travel Card Program (ABTC) is a voluntary program to facilitate travel for US citizens engaged in certified business in the APEC region and for US government officials engaged in APEC business. To apply, please visit the Trusted Traveler Program website.
If you are a US citizen, an active member of CBP’s Trusted Traveler Program (NEXUS, Global Entry, or SENTRI) and a bona fide trader engaged in trade in goods, provision of services, or investment activities. In the APEC region, you can apply for ABTC.
Start by logging into the TTP website. Then go to the program membership section from the dashboard and click on Apply for an APEC Business Travel Card Button.
If you are not yet a member, you can apply for an APEC Business Travel Card at the same time as your Trusted Traveler Program application. At the program selection stage, be sure to check the box for the US APEC Business Travel Card in addition to the Trusted Traveler Program you wish to apply for. Complete the application and track your application status on the website.
Scheduling an appointment to complete the ABTC application is not mandatory but is recommended. You can also complete your ABTC registration on foot at the Registration Center. If you choose to complete your registration as a walk-in, be aware that scheduled appointments are given priority, and will be shown at the first available opportunity.
Note: ABTC will expire in five years or when the passport attached to the ABTC application expires, whichever is sooner. The expiration date is printed on the card.
There is an application fee for the US APEC Business Travel Card. 70 dollars.
The US lists certain provisions as requirements to apply for the card. Hold membership in one of the TTPs and be a business person conducting business in the Asia Pacific region. I know many members who are US citizens and they all say they don’t have much trouble with this. It would be enough if they were simply asked, “I have things coming up for work in xyz and I’ll be making a few trips there.”
While the benefits for Canadian and US citizens are limited, the other 19 members have more significant benefits as the waiver of visa requirements is a particularly useful tool for business travelers. As I mentioned above, each country defines its eligibility criteria individually, and my cardholders have reported a very different process from country to country.
My friends from Singapore and Japan said it was easy to get the card accepted, while others from Malaysia and Thailand said it was a risk to finally get accepted. In some countries, I suppose it depends a little on one’s relationship with the government, such as working in a government organization.
Summary
Sometimes the immigration lines can be very long, and having the option to skip that line is a huge plus, certainly worth the $70 for two years. Considering the savings in time and money for visa processing, the cost of the card is a no-brainer for anyone who meets the eligibility criteria for ABTC.
Our LoyaltyLobby team member Adam has a Canadian-issued card, and it helped him clear immigration quickly when he went to Bali and Malaysia, where priority lines can make a big difference, especially as Denpasar is often a mess. Sometimes immigration officers get confused by the Canadian/US versions because they don’t list any countries on the contrary because there are no visa pre-clearance agreements. This does not, however, impede members’ ability to use fast track lanes.
Perhaps some of our readers who own the card can report their experiences in the comments.
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