Asia - US business travelers can now get APEC business travel card

See http://www.apec.org/Press/News-Releases/2011/1112_ABTC.aspx

But does anyone know how to sign up?

No idea, but that's fantastic news. Thought it would take another ten years.

This could really come in handy for those of us that fly a lot around Asia. Please keep updating this thread as more info comes in....and especially for anybody who tries to get one.

You have to be a member of a TTP first.
Full details of the law here...

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c112:4:./temp/~c1128dwB3J::

You have to be a member of a TTP first.
Full details of the law here...

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c112:4:./temp/~c1128dwB3J::

Can you post a working link?

What is TTP? Is there a site?

I might have found it. Try

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

I don't know how to read this document though - can't tell if this is an enacted law or not.

As for what TTP means, according to the document it means 'Trusted Traveler Program'. I assume it's the programs that pre-screen folks for automated entry at US gateways using biometrics. The relevance is that per my reading of the act (see the pdf), signing up for the American version of the APEC Travel Card first requires successful acceptance into the US TTP.

I might have found it. Try

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

I don't know how to read this document though - can't tell if this is an enacted law or not.

As for what TTP means, according to the document it means 'Trusted Traveler Program'. I assume it's the programs that pre-screen folks for automated entry at US gateways using biometrics. The relevance is that per my reading of the act (see the pdf), signing up for the American version of the APEC Travel Card first requires successful acceptance into the US TTP.

The bill was enacted. It is basically up to Homeland Security to make up the rules and procedures. I assume they were not caught flat footed, and that they are already working on this; however there does not appear to be anything on the DHS site.

There is some info on the APEC site
http://www.apec.org/Press/News-Releases/2011/1112_ABTC.aspx

It's unfortunate that US DHS/CBP is getting to control this thing for US citizens, as I'd prefer US State or even US Commerce have it within their domain instead of DHS (with DHS pushed to the side).

It is my understanding that there is currently no possibility of getting the ABTC in the US on the basis of being a US citizen; and so the thread title is a bit off for now since some US citizens will be able to get it only later or if such persons happen to be a dual citizen of an APEC country or special affiliate that will give them a ABTC on the basis of a non-US passport.

I admit it: I'm baffled. Why would this be a US security issue for US citizens? The entire point of the APEC card for a US citizen is to gain expedited entry into OTHER countries in the covered region. Ostensibly for business/economic purposes.

Is the issue that the US citizen applicant needs to be "vetted" and USDHS is the appointed agent for doing the vetting, on behalf of the other APEC countries--who will then presumably take USDHS approval and issuance of the APEC card as de facto evidence that said approved US citizen is OK to admit under APEC?

I presume that acceptance in to Global Entry, NEXUS, and/or SENTRI all qualify as TTP's.

I admit it: I'm baffled. Why would this be a US security issue for US citizens? The entire point of the APEC card for a US citizen is to gain expedited entry into OTHER countries in the covered region. Ostensibly for business/economic purposes.

DHS likes having as much power over people as it can possibly get and being able to blacklist otherwise free US citizens is something with which DHS power-trippers are entirely comfortable doing. I wouldn't be shocked if T S A wants its fingers in the pot too even as CBP is getting primary dibs at this.

I presume that acceptance in to Global Entry, NEXUS, and/or SENTRI all qualify as TTP's.

Yes, that is what I've been told by those who were in Bali and meeting up with or part of HRC and BHO's delegation or are on their staff.

Actually on the APEC site, it listed most countries' immigration departments as the responsible authority to issue the cards - and that for the US would be DHS.

And US is a 'transitional' member of APEC that's why USG can make this law and be able to provide these cards.

Interestingly enough the actual law states "all eligible persons" - not US citizens. It be super helpful if this would be extended to LPRs as well.. but lets see what exact rules DHS comes out with.

Anybody heard anything yet on actual procedures for getting the card?

Got this back from CBP.

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 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/key/usa.htm.

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

Got this back from CBP.

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 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/key/usa.htm.

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

I can't wait... this will make my life a thousand times easier.

Any updates on this?

Any updates on this?

Sure. The update is that, as expected, more than six-months have elapsed since the legislation was enacted into law and absolutely nothing else has happened.

Government at its best.

Any news folks?
Thanks,
Greg in Shanghai

Any news folks?
Thanks,
Greg in Shanghai

Short answer is, "No."

Longer answer: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/omni-pr/1285063-us-travelers-get-apec-business-travel-card.html