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APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)

What is the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)?

The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) functions similarly to a visa. Cardholders may use the ABTC together with their passport to enter participating APEC member economies for short-term business visits without the need to apply for a separate visa.

The ABTC was established under the initiative of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation with the objective of facilitating business travel among businesspeople within APEC member economies. The card helps save both time and expenses associated with visa applications and immigration procedures.

As of 1 August 2017, 19 APEC member economies participated in the ABTC scheme, namely: Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Mexico, and Russia.

The United States has also joined the ABTC scheme as a transitional member. However, Thailand and the United States do not currently provide pre-clearance approval for each other’s business travelers. Therefore, Thai ABTC holders who wish to travel to the United States are still required to obtain a valid U.S. visa prior to travel. Nevertheless, they may use the dedicated ABTC lanes at international airports in the United States to receive expedited immigration processing by presenting their ABTC to immigration officers. Please note that the ABTC only facilitates immigration procedures and does not exempt travelers from U.S. visa requirements.

Regarding Canada, since 1 January 2008, Canada has allowed ABTC holders to access special immigration counters at eight international airports, including:

Vancouver International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport (Terminals 1 and 2)
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
Montreal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport
Calgary International Airport
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
Edmonton International Airport

This facilitation is available to ABTC holders who meet Canada’s visa requirements. However, travelers are still required to obtain a Canadian visa from the Canadian Embassy prior to travel, as Canada’s participation in the ABTC scheme currently focuses on providing expedited immigration procedures rather than visa exemption.

Purpose of the Application

Applying for the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) is equivalent to applying for permission or a visa to enter participating APEC member economies for short-term business travel. Information provided in the application form will be submitted to all participating member economies for background verification.

Once the applicant successfully passes the verification process, the applicant will be issued an ABTC, which functions as a multiple-entry visa for travel to participating member economies throughout the validity period of the card. Cardholders are generally permitted to stay in each participating economy for up to 90 days per visit.

Features of the APEC Business Travel Card

The ABTC is the size of a standard credit card and is valid for five years. The card contains the cardholder’s photograph and signature, full name, date of birth, passport number, card expiration date, and the names of participating APEC member economies that have granted pre-clearance approval for entry.

Benefits of the APEC Business Travel Card

Cardholders may travel to participating member economies listed on the back of the card for short-term business purposes without having to apply for a visa each time.
Immigration procedures are faster and more convenient, as cardholders are entitled to use dedicated APEC lanes (APEC Lane) available at international airports in participating APEC member economies.

How to Use the APEC Business Travel Card

The ABTC must always be used together with the passport bearing the same passport number as shown on the card.
The ABTC is intended solely for short-term business travel purposes. If the purpose of travel is other than business, immigration authorities of the respective economy may refuse the use of the ABTC for that particular trip.

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