Asia - US travelers to get APEC Business Travel Card

Obama's done something for us!!!. Edited to add, it turns out he hasn't done much at all. See DHS comments below.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2011/11/travelling-asia?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/americaspoliticians

Does anyone know how to sign up for one?

Obama's done something for us!!!

http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2011/11/travelling-asia?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/americaspoliticians

Does anyone know how to sign up for one?

Great news. ^^

I doubt that implementation for US citizens (to get the APEC BTC status using US citizenship affiliation) is currently available but I would love to be surprised if implementation was quicker than expected after he has signed the legislation allowing for such. :)

I would be curious to know if US citizens could use it to access the APEC BTC expedited CBP lines at US ports of entry too. That could speed up things too.

From the auto-responder for the US governmental entity overseeing the program:

Thank you for your interest in the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC). Recently passed legislation now authorizes the United States to issue the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) to eligible U.S. citizens. The cards would allow U.S. ABTC holders to receive expedited scheduling of visa interviews and access to fast-track immigration lanes at airports in APEC's 21 economies.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is working to implement the program as soon as possible. Once the ABTC production commences in the United States, information will be available at USA-ABTC@dhs.gov and http://www.businessmobility.org/travel/index.asp.

Regards,
APEC Program
Office of International Affairs
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Fax: 202-344-3549
Email: USA-ABTC@cbp.dhs.gov

It's unfortunate that they are putting this into the hands of DHS/CBP too. I'd prefer to see Global Entry and the APEC BTC put in the hands of the US State Department or US Commerce Department.

I'd prefer to see Global Entry and the APEC BTC put in the hands of the US State Department or US Commerce Department.

...and what was the third one? Umm... the third one... oops! :D

...and what was the third one? Umm... the third one... oops! :D

... even Treasury or Transportation or .... anything in the US but DHS. Even outsource it to China as a consolation prize to the PRC after they got (an) upset in Bali.

I can't wait to see how TSA -- which is part of DHS too -- handles these. :D

Yes, that is disappointing news. I'm going to totally lower my expectations on ever getting one of these cards if the DHS is involved.

I am hoping they make it easy for those of us with Global Entry to add APEC Business Travel privileges.

Very excited about this! I've always wanted an APEC card, so whenever this actually happens, I'll be very happy!

This is great news! I've been waiting years for this to happen.

Any speculation on how much this will cost?

I believe it's slightly above the cost of regular business visa's. If I recall, it's different price point dependant on which economy you are buying from . . .

The card acts as your Visa when you pass through immigration of the receiving country.

It not only acts as a visa substitute, it also acts as a fast track pass for immigration purposes in other ways, including expedited access to immigration/passport control clerks on arrival at major airports.

The US has had APEC BTC fast-track provisioning in place for international arrivals at US airports for years, but the US has been slow going in granting the status to US citizens to use such facility when headed to APEC affiliated members.

The only unwelcome aspect of this latest announcement is that that US DHS is going to be the creature controlling the granting of such facility to US persons.

According to the following site, it will be $50.00 and you have to also have Global Entry in order to be eligible (which is another $100.00):

http://csis.org/publication/why-us-approval-apec-business-travel-card-matters

Good for three years.

No timeline on when they will start actually issuing cards. What a surprise. I am not holding my breath.

Another concern is that, because the U.S. requires APEC member country citizens who are not eligible for a visa waiver to obtain U.S. entry visas in addition to their ABTC, those countries may apply the same rules to U.S. citizens (e.g., China, Vietnam and Russia). See: http://www.amcham.org.sg/Advocacy/APEC-Business-Travel-Card

And still we wait . . .

And still we wait . . .

No wonder we wait.

The federal government in the US is far more eager to deny/revoke US passports from free US citizens with civil debts to the government than it is in facilitating international travel for free US citizens and others with or without civil debts to the government. [The US is in the process of making the following the law of the land applicable to US citizens regardless of domicile: US passport revocation/denial/conditionality for free US citizens with civil debts considered owed to the US Treasury/IRS. With this move the US is joining the approach implemented by the regimes in China and the UAE.]

I assume we are still waiting.... :mad:

I assume we are still waiting.... :mad:

we are still waiting

Still nothing.

I feel like I am in Casablanca waiting for transit papers to Lisbon. And waiting . . . and waiting . . .

Still nothing.

I feel like I am in Casablanca waiting for transit papers to Lisbon. And waiting . . . and waiting . . .

But...but...you'll always have Paris!

Another month and another, well, nothing . . .

Keep up the good work, Dept of Homeland "Security"

Yet another month and still, well, absolutely nothing.

Why bother to pass the bill if you are not going to do anything to implement it?

Madness.

Yet another month and still, well, absolutely nothing.

I guess Obama doesn't know or care that his own government is ignoring him.

[Removed quote of now-deleted OMNI/PR-type material]

Madness.

When you listen too much to DHS types -- what not with their big-budget "technology" and "biometrics" will "solve" the "problems" with "leaky borders" mantra -- the de facto "acceptance" of the dragging out of the process is anything but a surprise.

Unfortunately, no matter who is or will be our next nominal head of state/government, the outcome will be the same: deference to the "security"-complex bureaucrats and the army of government contractors. And none of them is in a rush to bowl over the bureaucrats and the contractors at the same time, as would be necessary to expedite this for operation this year.

This is a friggin' disgrace...

This is a friggin' disgrace...

It is indeed, unfortunately as expected.

still waiting! :(
I was really looking forward to thism, it would help with China MRs!

Still waiting ...... waiting ........ waiting :mad:

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As a member of UDCIB, my company recived the following update. In a nutshell, no dice yet.

Dear member:

.

As many of you are aware, the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) was signed into law by President Obama during the final APEC meetings in Hawaii in November. USCIB and the associations which make up the US-APEC Business Coalition worked together to urge the passing of the bill so that members of the business community could participate in the ABTC program which expedites travel in the APEC region. Many USCIB members are interested in obtaining a card and using it to quickly pass through airports by using the fast-track APEC lanes in participating economies. The card allows multiple short-term entries and is valid for three years before it has to be renewed. Currently nineteen (now including the U.S.) of the twenty-one APEC economies participate in the program.

.

Currently Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is working on assessing the IT changes that would be required in order to allow a business traveler to combine the ABTC and online Global Entry application process.. CBP is also determining the costs of these changes...

.

Actual implementation of the ABTC program cannot begin until there is agreement in Congress and passage of spending bills for the current fiscal year. Once that is worked out, DHS and CBP will have the authority to proceed with a “pilot” program as was done with the Global Entry program and begin issuing cards. .Business travelers who would like to enroll in the ABTC program will have to also be successfully enrolled in the Global Entry program.

We encourage members who have not yet done so, to enroll in the Global Entry program (http://www.globalentry.gov/), as the process does take some time (online enrollment and an in-person interview with a CBP official).

If members are interested, USCIB is in a position to organize in-person interviews at our offices. A CBP official can come to the New York or Washington, DC office and conduct interviews for those who have already completed online enrollment. Please let me know if this is of interest to you.

Here we are yet another month down the road and NOTHING.

So now I really can say, "Thanks for nothing."

Assuming the info posted by HowieG is accurate, the new budget year begins on October 1st. Can't imagine why I predict that October 1st will come and go with more NOTHING.

:mad:

I'm not sure if this is an update in terms of information, but the help item on CBP's site was last updated on 9/18: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1638

As another poster pointed out, the new fiscal year starts in a matter of weeks, so could this update be in preparation for that, or just wishful thinking?

Does anyone have any inside information on this? I tried one of my contacts working at the US embassy in China, but she hadn't even heard of it.

anybody have an eta on this please?

anybody have an eta on this please?

Nope. It's only been almost a year since Obama signed it into law.

A reminder: Political argumentation and characterizations need to go to OMNI/PR.

cblaisd
Moderator, Travel News.

Almost a year has passed since the law authorizing issuance of ABTC travel cards to U.S. citizens was enacted, but it has yet to be implemented by the U.S. government.

But I won't comment on why that might or might not be.

It simply is.

This is so bloody frustrating.

This has nothing to do with securing US borders...what we're talking about is giving US Passport holders (already semi-trusted travelers by virtue of their required GE status) the right to apply for a card which will make it easier to go to other countries!

Foreigners holding APEC cards already get to use the Diplomat/Crew queues when entering the US. If there was a risk to the US, it would be those people coming into the US....not Americans going overseas!!

Did you guys consider writing to your Congressman/woman to complain about it?

Did you guys consider writing to your Congressman/woman to complain about it?

It is an election year for the House. My representative is a former Goldman banker (which somehow he omits from much of his campaign materials). Perhaps he'll appreciate the value of easing barriers to commerce.

I'll send one it.

Did you guys consider writing to your Congressman/woman to complain about it?

Sure did. Received very nice "Thank you for your input" responses back.

In other words, they ignored them.

Sure did. Received very nice "Thank you for your input" responses back.

In other words, they ignored them.

Can you post a copy of what you sent?

Do you make campaign contributions?

My fearless Representative, who I didn't vote for, holds a biennial fundraiser at a house across the street from me. I attend and give a little...just to be on his radar screen.

I will write and will likely get at least a little attention when I make reference to where he and I have met several times.

It's a shame that it comes to this...

Let's see.

Ok I did some digging around today to get the details on who to contact.

The text of the law is here:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-112publ54/pdf/PLAW-112publ54.pdf

It was passed by the Senate as S1487, and was introduced by: Daniel Inouye (HI), Maria Cantwell (WA), and Daniel Akaka (HI).

I just emailed all three of them with the following:


You introduced the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Cards Act of 2011 (S1487) and it was signed into law almost 11 months ago.

It still has not been implemented, and CBP has not provided a timeframe for implementation: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1638

When will this be implemented? It is vital to helping US companies export to Asia.


I do not live in HI or WA, and so far I got an auto-reply from Cantwell that she can only respond to inquiries from her consituents. I'll write to my local senator now.

Also here is the report from the committee when the legislation was introduced:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-112srpt92/pdf/CRPT-112srpt92.pdf
Note the report estimates $2 million in 2012 (I assume FY2012, which just ended) to implement the program. So was that spent already?

Here are the current members of that committee:
http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/about

If one of those is from your home state, I recommend writing to them about this also. I just emailed the commitee's general address.

I also emailed the American Chamber of Commerce in China to see if they have any news on this, but haven't heard back.

Here is the press release from APEC which contains some information:
http://www.apec.org/Press/News-Releases/2011/1112_ABTC.aspx
I emailed APEC to ask for a status update also:
http://www.apec.org/ContactUs.aspx

I think in addition to contacting various people like above, it would be useful to ask CBP directly. I emailed them a few weeks ago and did not receive a response. Does anyone know a credentialed travel journalist who could contact CBP's press office?

I just got a response from APEC, and it basically passed the buck to US CBP, so no need for anyone else to contact APEC I suppose.

Sending this to OMNI/PR since that seems to be what folks on the thread want to discuss.

cblaisd
Moderator, Travel News

The APEC lines are going to get busier once you all get APEC cards.

The APEC lines are going to get busier once you all get APEC cards.

I haven't noticed them in the past - are these lines usually busy?

Based on the data I found, as of last year, there were 90,000 ABTC holders and the prediction is that once the US joins the program, that will add another 10-15,000 ABTC holders. So assuming all ABTC holders travel equally (a weak assumption, I know), then having the US join the program will increase usage by 17% at the high end.

US does a majority of the trade with far east countries that require visas.

I received some information from the US APEC center, that I emailed last night. Their response was:

"At present our understanding is that the US government is still working out the mechanics by which the card will be issued, but that the system may be operational by the end of the year."

That still doesn't give much information, but it's a bit more information than can be found on CBP's website.

Can you post a copy of what you sent?

I'm traveling and don't have it on my laptop, but it was basically letters stating the law was passed last November, nothing has happened since, it would be useful in my business, and the delay is costing the U.S. trade revenue it would gain.

Do you make campaign contributions?

Nope.

Now November and still nothing.

Yet another law the administration apparently doesn't want to enforce.

I am so disgusted with the U.S. government. All talk and no action.

I'm frustrated by this as well. Just spent another $140 to renew my Chinese visa for another year, which I may have been able to avoid if ABTC was in place.

Does anyone know a travel journalist who would be interested in writing a story about this? Maybe going through CBP's press office will get some solid answers.

I'm frustrated by this as well. Just spent another $140 to renew my Chinese visa for another year, which I may have been able to avoid if ABTC was in place.

Does anyone know a travel journalist who would be interested in writing a story about this? Maybe going through CBP's press office will get some solid answers.

Out of curiosity- how did you get a 1 year multiple entry visa for PRC for only $140 USD???

Out of curiosity- how did you get a 1 year multiple entry visa for PRC for only $140 USD???

That's the standard pricing for US citizens:
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/visas/fees/

That's the standard pricing for US citizens:
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/visas/fees/

Thanks- makes sense.

Now DECEMBER. Over a year since the law was enacted and still NOTHING.

Words do not begin to describe how pathetic this government is.

I finally have an update, even if it's not good news.

I inquired with my Congressman's office (on the House side - Van Hollen in MD) about a week ago and got an update today. They are definitely aware of the issue, and in fact another constituent had made a similar inquiry with them earlier.

What they said is that the way the legislation is worded, CBP has until 2016 to implement this, though of course nothing stops them from implementing it sooner.

My Congressman realizes the importance of this, and is working with other members of Congress to draft a joint letter to the acting director of CBP to emphasize the need to speed this up.

So on the plus side, this issue is not being forgotten. On the minus side, we still don't have what we want, nor is there a clear timeframe for when we'll have it.

At this point, I think it's worth it to contact your Congressional representative to try and generate more attention and pressure on the issue.

Also if anyone knows of any press that would like to write about the issue, I think that's a good path to follow as well. Is anyone's company a member of a travel trade group like the Global Business Travel Association (http://www.gbta.org/)? I think groups like that do get involved in legislative issues, and may know the right people to contact to make this a priority.

What they said is that the way the legislation is worded, CBP has until 2016 to implement this, though of course nothing stops them from implementing it sooner.

Certainly not doubting your source, but my (admittedly amateur) reading of the final bill as passed makes no mention of a 2016 deadline for implementation.

See: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s1487enr/pdf/BILLS-112s1487enr.pdf

At any rate, we all keep waiting. My guess is that DHS has placed this very low on their priority list, as it affects comparatively few citizens. I agree that raising the issue with our elected representatives (and media?) is probably our best and only avenue at this point.

Certainly not doubting your source, but my (admittedly amateur) reading of the final bill as passed makes no mention of a 2016 deadline for implementation.


I see your point -- I see no deadline for implementation (but also no requirement for when to implement) in that bill. The person I spoke with at my Congressman's office mentioned the 2016 date more than once, and I was taking notes so I don't think I was mistaken.

It would definitely be helpful if others can contact their own representatives of Congress about this issue and report back what they find.

so just for kicks I emailed my outgoing Congressman (Bob Turner) and my two senators... Schumer and Gillibrand... let's see if they respond with anything positive...

I mean that card could make China MRs a piece of cake and general travel in the region much easier... :D

The US on it's way to becoming a third world country... probably quicker to gain citizenship to another APEC country than waiting for the US to grant APEC cards.

JANUARY 2013. Still nothing.

Government at its best.

Sent letters to my Congressman and called and emailed DHS. Nada! US Govt is FUBAR.

I just filed a FOIA request with CBP to inquire about the status. I'll post back here if I hear anything.

Sent letters to my Congressman and called and emailed DHS. Nada! US Govt is FUBAR.

Do you contribute to her/his campaign?

I just filed a FOIA request with CBP to inquire about the status. I'll post back here if I hear anything.

Very good idea. Look forward to hearing what their response is.

so just for kicks I emailed my outgoing Congressman (Bob Turner) and my two senators... Schumer and Gillibrand... let's see if they respond with anything positive...

I mean that card could make China MRs a piece of cake and general travel in the region much easier... :D

Still haven't heard back... :(:mad:

http://jamiemalone98.blogspot.com/2013/01/amcham-vietnam-apec-business-travel.html

Well this is somewhat encouraging.

Indeed good news. Thanks for sharing.

Still haven't heard back... :(:mad:

You should hear back within the week, even if it is just to tell you they are working on it. Please keep us updated.

http://jamiemalone98.blogspot.com/2013/01/amcham-vietnam-apec-business-travel.html

Well this is somewhat encouraging.

The latest post states:

"In a direct response to our APCAC letter to Senator Cantwell, members of her staff, along with staff from the offices of Senators Hirona and Shatz of Hawaii, and Congressman Larsen, met with officials of CBP and were assured that CBP is planning a full implementation of the ABTC legislation by May of this year."

http://www.amchamvietnam.com/9268/apec-business-travel-card-fatca-tax-reform-apcac-advocacy-update/

I just checked on the status of my FOIA request with CBP (which was filed about 2 months ago) and it's still waiting for a response. At this point, I guess I'll just get the same answer as we've already seen announced on the blogs, which came out after I filed my request.

Ok! It's May 1st. Where's my ABTC?

Where, where????

I just checked, and my FOIA request (filed 1/25/13) has still not been responded to.

I see this post on AmCham Vietnam (http://www.amchamvietnam.com/9263/apec-business-travel-card-abtc-getting-closer/) stating: "At the very latest, the ABTC should be up and running by the time of the 2013 APEC Summit in Indonesia."

I'm not sure which APEC summit in Indonesia they are referring to (there are a few), but I see one of those summits is listed as taking place in October :(

I just checked, and my FOIA request (filed 1/25/13) has still not been responded to.

I see this post on AmCham Vietnam (http://www.amchamvietnam.com/9263/apec-business-travel-card-abtc-getting-closer/) stating: "At the very latest, the ABTC should be up and running by the time of the 2013 APEC Summit in Indonesia."

I'm not sure which APEC summit in Indonesia they are referring to (there are a few), but I see one of those summits is listed as taking place in October :(

Yep. October is the summit.

http://www.amchamvietnam.com/9263/apec-business-travel-card-abtc-getting-closer/

In December 2012, APCAC wrote to Senator Maria Cantwell and other key members of Congress asking for their continued support and action. We requested that, at the very latest, the ABTC should be up and running by the time of the 2013 APEC Summit in Indonesia.

In response to our letter, and with follow-up from BGR Group, Senator Maria Cantwell’s (D, WA) staff, along with staffs from Senators Mazie Hirona and Brian Shatz of Hawaii and Congressman John Larsen from Connecticut, met last week with representatives from US Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security. Congressional staff were assured by the CPB that they are planning a full implementation of the ABTC legislation by April or May of this year. It will be part of the Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program with an additional fee of no more than $100. CBP also pledged a one-week turnaround from the time they confirm receipt of an application and the issuance of the new card. Citizens not already part of the Global Entry Trusted Traveler will need to apply for both programs.

So APCAC asked for implementation no later than October, but the response from CPB was that the program would be up and running by April or May of this year.

It's now mid-May and, not surprisingly, still nothing.

DHS has it backwards, you're supposed to under-promise and over-deliver not the other way round.