ABTC / APEC Business Travel Card — U.S. Policy Discussion
Nov 29, 2011, 10:29 am
#16
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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.
Last edited by cblaisd; Nov 29, 2011 at 10:52 am Reason: Please take the political characterizations/commentary to OMNI/PR
Nov 29, 2011, 5:00 pm
#17
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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.
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.
Dec 4, 2011, 1:40 pm
#22
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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.
The card acts as your Visa when you pass through immigration of the receiving country.
Dec 7, 2011, 2:37 am
#23
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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.
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.
Jan 5, 2012, 6:52 pm
#25
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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 [email protected] 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: [email protected]
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 [email protected] 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: [email protected]
Jan 18, 2012, 5:41 pm
#26
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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 [email protected] 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: [email protected]
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 [email protected] 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: [email protected]
Jan 26, 2012, 2:37 am
#27
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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-a...l-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/AP...ss-Travel-Card
http://csis.org/publication/why-us-a...l-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/AP...ss-Travel-Card
Mar 26, 2012, 7:52 am
#29
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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.]
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.]
Last edited by GUWonder; May 6, 2012 at 3:15 pm