APEC card
Nov 25, 2008, 1:57 pm
#46
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: SYD
Programs: UA Premier Gold (*G), IHG Platinum & Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,456
My travel companion then got pulled up for an hour while they re-approved his visa, despite having the interview and all at the US Consulate in Sydney.
Nov 25, 2008, 9:42 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
My updated APEC card just came through with the Chinese approval - taken from March til now.
NB: NZ issued card, not AU.
NB: NZ issued card, not AU.
Nov 26, 2008, 3:27 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: QFF Plat, CX/AM, UA, SQ
Posts: 4
As for entering the U.S... Make sure that you have business ticked as the main reason for entering . Also they have the 'right' not to allow your spouse through with you.
A lesson learnt the hard way at LAX. A jumbo load of passengers ahead of us , solely because the obese Immigration man decided to play god.
First time for me having ANY issue with the card.
A lesson learnt the hard way at LAX. A jumbo load of passengers ahead of us , solely because the obese Immigration man decided to play god.
First time for me having ANY issue with the card.
Nov 26, 2008, 4:43 pm
#49
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: BNE | OOL | MEL
Programs: VA Plat, QF LTG, SPG Titanium
Posts: 73
I definitely think its random - that is YMMV as to how long it takes to receive clearance on all of the countries and which ones are cleared quickly and not so quickly.
As an example I applied for my APEC last December and received the interim card by end January with clearances for everything except NZ, Japan, China and Brunei. I got the new card with the complete suite of countries by April. Another two colleagues applied for theirs a week before me. One has only just received his final card with all of the countries including China, and the other beat me and got his in late March.
As to where I've been sucessful using it and not...it has come in handy in Australia, NZ, Singapore, HK and within the USA in LAX, BOS and JFK, so definitely worth the $200!
As an example I applied for my APEC last December and received the interim card by end January with clearances for everything except NZ, Japan, China and Brunei. I got the new card with the complete suite of countries by April. Another two colleagues applied for theirs a week before me. One has only just received his final card with all of the countries including China, and the other beat me and got his in late March.
As to where I've been sucessful using it and not...it has come in handy in Australia, NZ, Singapore, HK and within the USA in LAX, BOS and JFK, so definitely worth the $200!
Nov 27, 2008, 1:16 am
#50
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: QF LTG, SQ EGTP, Bonvoy LTG
Posts: 4,847
I applied for my card in early June. By end of July I had first interim card with all but China, Singapore & PNG. By 18 August I had second card and the only one missing was China .... which is still missing and of course the one country where it would really come in handy, as it is quite a process to get a business visa for China, and will have to try and get my second visa in 3 months next week (hopefully they'll allow a 6 month this time).
Nov 27, 2008, 9:34 pm
#51
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: QF LTG, TG *P, IHG P
Posts: 290
I applied for my card in early June. By end of July I had first interim card with all but China, Singapore & PNG. By 18 August I had second card and the only one missing was China .... which is still missing and of course the one country where it would really come in handy, as it is quite a process to get a business visa for China, and will have to try and get my second visa in 3 months next week (hopefully they'll allow a 6 month this time).
Also, the China consulate in Melbourne is giving 12 month multiple entry visas again.
Nov 27, 2008, 9:47 pm
#52
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF Lifetime SG, LH HON, OZ Lifetime Diamond +, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 14,373
Nov 27, 2008, 10:18 pm
#53
Ambassador: Air New Zealand
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Wellington NZ
Programs: NZ Elite, EK Gold, Qatar Gold, Amex Plat, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,426
Clearance from China usually takes the longest for your APEC Card.
With the Olympics this year probably adding more delay.
With the Olympics this year probably adding more delay.
Dec 3, 2008, 1:52 pm
#55
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 10
hi,
anyone have experience to use an interim card (which has not shown the country IE: China at back side ) enter in China ?
the question is I have see the country's approval on businessmobility's Status page, but final card is not issued yet.
anyone have experience to use an interim card (which has not shown the country IE: China at back side ) enter in China ?
the question is I have see the country's approval on businessmobility's Status page, but final card is not issued yet.
Dec 3, 2008, 7:39 pm
#56
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: CX Silver, QFF Bronze, Mabuhay Miles
Posts: 571
You can only use the APEC card for names actually on the back of the card. If you tried to go to China using an APEC card without China on the back of the card, you wouldn't even make it on the plane.
Dec 7, 2008, 8:26 pm
#57
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: QF LTG, SQ EGTP, Bonvoy LTG
Posts: 4,847
Murphy's law in operation. My card with Chinese approval on the card came through today. This is after organising an urgent visa on Thursday which I picked up on Friday 
This is for my trip leaving Australia tomorrow afternoon and in China next week. At least I didn't go to the bother of organising a 6 month multiple entry, which was one suggestion.
This is for my trip leaving Australia tomorrow afternoon and in China next week. At least I didn't go to the bother of organising a 6 month multiple entry, which was one suggestion.
Jan 11, 2009, 2:17 am
#58
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2
APEC
Well, i was just at the ORD two days ago, the officer didnt even know what APEC is. here is the short version of the story, kind of funny.
I got my APEC card not long ago, so excited to use it.
When i arrived ORD, i walked up to the "CREW/APEC" lane "proudly", and thought this is gonna be cool and easy, before i was even 20 feet away from the immigration officer,
the officer yelled "you dont come here, go that way"
I said "yes, i do", and i quickly walk up to him and showed him the CARD.
"what is this?"
"APEC Card"
"what the APEC Card?"
"it is the card APEC countries issue to business travelers, cardholder can use the AirCrew lane for expedited immigration processing...."
"I dont think this work here..."
"Yes it does, the lane even shows APEC, thats why i came here"
"Where you see that"
so, i pointed the sign right above his head, and he even walk out to see it.
I see he was so confused, and he asked the other officer next to him "have you seen this APEC thing before", and the other officer didnt know.
so they called the supervisor,
At that time, i thought this officer is gonna look stupid of not knowing what APEC is.
the supervisor came and look at the card front and back and says" are you a diplomatic officer?"
i said "no, but any card holder can use this lane, APEC...."
the supervisor cuts me off " i dont think so, we have our own regulations, we dont have this program"
I said "sir, The sign shows APEC"
he paused for awhile, (i am sure he was thinging in his head, what the hell is that?), "awhile ago, there was some kind of confrence, people attend that confrence has gone through this lane before. Maybe it was for that confrence, what do you call that Asia pacific Econ Confrence?"
I was want to laugh out loud, "how stupid this supervisor is", i didnt know what to do and what to say anymore, i didnt want to piss him off and give me trobules...
the aircrews starts to coming to my lane, there were about 20 people behind already.
finally, he told the officer to process me first, and told me "i will let you go first, but only this time"
geez. Americans... no "HOME LAND Sercurities"....
after i got back, i went online look thought the Home land and border website, and didnt find anything rearding the ABTC.
finally, i searched a news from the whitehouse website, for those of you want to use the ABTC at US immigration, think twice before you walk up the that "CREW/APEC" lane, maybe it will help to print this out to bring with you.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea.../20070909.html
good luck, and good luck try to bring anther person with you, casue i wont.
I got my APEC card not long ago, so excited to use it.
When i arrived ORD, i walked up to the "CREW/APEC" lane "proudly", and thought this is gonna be cool and easy, before i was even 20 feet away from the immigration officer,
the officer yelled "you dont come here, go that way"
I said "yes, i do", and i quickly walk up to him and showed him the CARD.
"what is this?"
"APEC Card"
"what the APEC Card?"
"it is the card APEC countries issue to business travelers, cardholder can use the AirCrew lane for expedited immigration processing...."
"I dont think this work here..."
"Yes it does, the lane even shows APEC, thats why i came here"
"Where you see that"
so, i pointed the sign right above his head, and he even walk out to see it.
I see he was so confused, and he asked the other officer next to him "have you seen this APEC thing before", and the other officer didnt know.
so they called the supervisor,
At that time, i thought this officer is gonna look stupid of not knowing what APEC is.
the supervisor came and look at the card front and back and says" are you a diplomatic officer?"
i said "no, but any card holder can use this lane, APEC...."
the supervisor cuts me off " i dont think so, we have our own regulations, we dont have this program"
I said "sir, The sign shows APEC"
he paused for awhile, (i am sure he was thinging in his head, what the hell is that?), "awhile ago, there was some kind of confrence, people attend that confrence has gone through this lane before. Maybe it was for that confrence, what do you call that Asia pacific Econ Confrence?"
I was want to laugh out loud, "how stupid this supervisor is", i didnt know what to do and what to say anymore, i didnt want to piss him off and give me trobules...
the aircrews starts to coming to my lane, there were about 20 people behind already.
finally, he told the officer to process me first, and told me "i will let you go first, but only this time"
geez. Americans... no "HOME LAND Sercurities"....
after i got back, i went online look thought the Home land and border website, and didnt find anything rearding the ABTC.
finally, i searched a news from the whitehouse website, for those of you want to use the ABTC at US immigration, think twice before you walk up the that "CREW/APEC" lane, maybe it will help to print this out to bring with you.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea.../20070909.html
good luck, and good luck try to bring anther person with you, casue i wont.
Jun 11, 2009, 2:15 am
#59
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: BNE Aust
Programs: SQ *G, QF S, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Accor Advantage Platinum
Posts: 685
Has anyone tried using the APEC card when crossing from Hong Kong into China using the Ferry to Panyu?
I know it will work for all the airports, and I have seen people say they use it for the train, but what about the Ferry? Will the customs peple have seen it before, as my visa?
Don't want to get left behind from my group trying to sort it out.
Thanks,
I know it will work for all the airports, and I have seen people say they use it for the train, but what about the Ferry? Will the customs peple have seen it before, as my visa?
Don't want to get left behind from my group trying to sort it out.
Thanks,
Jun 11, 2009, 10:06 pm
#60
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Brisbane
Programs: QFWP1+LTG,TG-Silver, SQ-Silver,HHonors-Diamond,Marriott Rewards-Silver,SPG
Posts: 36
Has anyone tried using the APEC card when crossing from Hong Kong into China using the Ferry to Panyu?
I know it will work for all the airports, and I have seen people say they use it for the train, but what about the Ferry? Will the customs peple have seen it before, as my visa?
Don't want to get left behind from my group trying to sort it out.
Thanks,
I know it will work for all the airports, and I have seen people say they use it for the train, but what about the Ferry? Will the customs peple have seen it before, as my visa?
Don't want to get left behind from my group trying to sort it out.
Thanks,