Jun 23, 2014, 10:17 pm
Last edit by: Boraxo
US/Canadian-issued ABTC can only be used to access the APEC/Crew/Diplomat lane. It does not replace/waive any visa requirements. Chinese embassy webpages mentioning visa not being required is for ABTC with CHN endorsed on the back. No US/Canadian-issued ABTC will have that endorsement.
The button to renew your US/Canadian ABTC will appear in your profile 30 days before the card expiration date.
Locations confirmed up and running:
AUS
BOS (Logan) only one of the two signature pads was working (late nov 2014)
BOS (Logan) still only 1 signature panel working, and a bit of confusion, but it all worked out (Jan 2015)
CVG (Minneola Pike)
EWR
IAD signature capture working in GE enrollment center; walk-in accepted after appointments accommodated - I was in the office for less than two minutes
IAH (outside security in E, no word on inside security GE office yet)
JFK (walk-in accepted; entrance directly across from Central Diner on arrivals level, T-4)
LAS
LAX
Long Beach, CA (downtown CBP Seaport offices, not LGB airport); posted as No Walk In, but may accommodate just the signature capture
MIA
MCO
ORD
PHX (Terminal 4, behind #6 baggage carousel)
SEA (Nexus office)
SFO (walk-in)
TUS (walk-in accepted)
Washington, DC/Reagan Bldg. walked in, only person there, signature captured, walked out, all within 5 minutes
YYZ (Nexus office)
YVR (Nexus office)
Usage Experience Updates:
BKK - 11/11/14 - success, 03/19/17 - success, 05/10/17 - success
CGK - 02/20/15 - denied (exit), 05/10/17 - success (exit), 08/20/17 - success (entry)
CRK - 10/28/16 - success, but only 30 days, not 59 days for no-endorsement US issued ABTC.
CTU - 03/18/16 - denied -(APAC lane has limited hours)
CUN - 12/30/17 & 12/27/19 - success (with family) but difficult to enter express lane due to pushback from line monitor
DMK - 9/20/17 inbound - success, had to go under lane ropes; use Official/Diplomatic, not Crew. No APEC markings.
DPS - 03/08/15 - success but with pushback (exit)
GMP - 09/18/14 - success, 03/18/15 - success (arrival)
HKG - 09/21/14 - success, 02/28/15 - success, 02/29/15 - success (exit), 3/18/17 success, 3/19/17 - success (exit)
HKT - 12/23 - success on entry - sign says +1 allowed and "THA" endorsement required, but didn't even check the back of card. On departure the APEC lane was not staffed
HND - 07/30/14, 03/30/23 - success - lane in clearly marked
ICN - 09/13/14 - success, 03/24/25 - success (departure)
KUL - 03/10/16 - success
MEX - 06/28/15 - success, 7/11/17 - success
MNL - 11/27/2015 - success (T1) (business visa not necessary for U.S. citizens) 59 days (depends on agent training. Most give 59, some give only 30, (Oct 2018))
NRT - 12/1/2014 - success both inbound and outbound immigration (visa not needed); 9/25/17 - inbound success
PEK - 07/25/14 - success (T3)
POM - 11/01/15 - denied, PNG immigration has a sign saying "only endorsed ABTC cards"
PVG - 07/24/14 - success (T2)
PVR - 11/2018, 4/2021 success (with family),4/2023 fail
SGN - 09/04/2014 - success (visa on arrival), 02/15/2017 - denied (visa on arrival)
SHA - 11/10/2014 - success
SJD - 6/2017 & 6/2018 - success (with family)
SIN - 2/3/2016 - denied, 5/3/2017 - success; 9/16/17 - success at APEC lane
TPE - 07/24/14 - success (T2), 9/30 - success (T1), 10/12 - Denied (T2), 02/24/2015 - success (T1), 5/11 & 5/13 - success (T1)
YUL - 11/2014 - success inbound (repeatedly into 2016 via dip line)
YVR - 06/2015 - success inbound
YYZ - 07/2016 - Success inbound
SCL - 04/02/2017 - Success inbound
LIM - 12/04/2017 - Success inbound
China land crossings from HK:
Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Huanggang, Shenzhen Bay - 09/29/14 reported - success
China Train crossings from HK:
Dongguan and Guangzhou - 09/29/14 reported - success
Hung Hom (Hong Kong's International Train Station) - 04/30/15 - success in both directions
China Seaports from HK/Macau:
Shekou, Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Baoan and and Macau/China ferry terminal in Hong Kong - 09/29/14 reported - success
[On all above China-HK crossings look, to use ABTC to enter/exit China, look for the "Special" counters]
For CGK: Go to line marked 3 on left side just before main immigration hall. If you get to line in main hall you've gone too far. Do not use crew line.
Locations confirmed up and running:
AUS
BOS (Logan) only one of the two signature pads was working (late nov 2014)
BOS (Logan) still only 1 signature panel working, and a bit of confusion, but it all worked out (Jan 2015)
CVG (Minneola Pike)
EWR
IAD signature capture working in GE enrollment center; walk-in accepted after appointments accommodated - I was in the office for less than two minutes
IAH (outside security in E, no word on inside security GE office yet)
JFK (walk-in accepted; entrance directly across from Central Diner on arrivals level, T-4)
LAS
LAX
Long Beach, CA (downtown CBP Seaport offices, not LGB airport); posted as No Walk In, but may accommodate just the signature capture
MIA
MCO
ORD
PHX (Terminal 4, behind #6 baggage carousel)
SEA (Nexus office)
SFO (walk-in)
TUS (walk-in accepted)
Washington, DC/Reagan Bldg. walked in, only person there, signature captured, walked out, all within 5 minutes
YYZ (Nexus office)
YVR (Nexus office)
Usage Experience Updates:
BKK - 11/11/14 - success, 03/19/17 - success, 05/10/17 - success
CGK - 02/20/15 - denied (exit), 05/10/17 - success (exit), 08/20/17 - success (entry)
CRK - 10/28/16 - success, but only 30 days, not 59 days for no-endorsement US issued ABTC.
CTU - 03/18/16 - denied -(APAC lane has limited hours)
CUN - 12/30/17 & 12/27/19 - success (with family) but difficult to enter express lane due to pushback from line monitor
DMK - 9/20/17 inbound - success, had to go under lane ropes; use Official/Diplomatic, not Crew. No APEC markings.
DPS - 03/08/15 - success but with pushback (exit)
GMP - 09/18/14 - success, 03/18/15 - success (arrival)
HKG - 09/21/14 - success, 02/28/15 - success, 02/29/15 - success (exit), 3/18/17 success, 3/19/17 - success (exit)
HKT - 12/23 - success on entry - sign says +1 allowed and "THA" endorsement required, but didn't even check the back of card. On departure the APEC lane was not staffed
HND - 07/30/14, 03/30/23 - success - lane in clearly marked
ICN - 09/13/14 - success, 03/24/25 - success (departure)
KUL - 03/10/16 - success
MEX - 06/28/15 - success, 7/11/17 - success
MNL - 11/27/2015 - success (T1) (business visa not necessary for U.S. citizens) 59 days (depends on agent training. Most give 59, some give only 30, (Oct 2018))
NRT - 12/1/2014 - success both inbound and outbound immigration (visa not needed); 9/25/17 - inbound success
PEK - 07/25/14 - success (T3)
POM - 11/01/15 - denied, PNG immigration has a sign saying "only endorsed ABTC cards"
PVG - 07/24/14 - success (T2)
PVR - 11/2018, 4/2021 success (with family),4/2023 fail
SGN - 09/04/2014 - success (visa on arrival), 02/15/2017 - denied (visa on arrival)
SHA - 11/10/2014 - success
SJD - 6/2017 & 6/2018 - success (with family)
SIN - 2/3/2016 - denied, 5/3/2017 - success; 9/16/17 - success at APEC lane
TPE - 07/24/14 - success (T2), 9/30 - success (T1), 10/12 - Denied (T2), 02/24/2015 - success (T1), 5/11 & 5/13 - success (T1)
YUL - 11/2014 - success inbound (repeatedly into 2016 via dip line)
YVR - 06/2015 - success inbound
YYZ - 07/2016 - Success inbound
SCL - 04/02/2017 - Success inbound
LIM - 12/04/2017 - Success inbound
China land crossings from HK:
Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Huanggang, Shenzhen Bay - 09/29/14 reported - success
China Train crossings from HK:
Dongguan and Guangzhou - 09/29/14 reported - success
Hung Hom (Hong Kong's International Train Station) - 04/30/15 - success in both directions
China Seaports from HK/Macau:
Shekou, Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Baoan and and Macau/China ferry terminal in Hong Kong - 09/29/14 reported - success
[On all above China-HK crossings look, to use ABTC to enter/exit China, look for the "Special" counters]
For CGK: Go to line marked 3 on left side just before main immigration hall. If you get to line in main hall you've gone too far. Do not use crew line.
US/Canadian Issued APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC): Updates, Experiences, Q&A
Apr 19, 2015, 12:01 am
#631
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BDL, MHT, BOS
Programs: 1k
Posts: 119
APEC in china
Just had an interesting experience in beijing. No problem till he flipped the card then called a supervisor over and they said it's okay this time but don't use again because china not listed. As soon as I was through another supervisor ran up with the original one to apologize and say it is okay (mayowente) to use in the future.
Seems like everything is fine just might need to elevate. I have never had any line for APEC at beijing so even if it takes a minute or two to sort it out it is still many times faster.
Seems like everything is fine just might need to elevate. I have never had any line for APEC at beijing so even if it takes a minute or two to sort it out it is still many times faster.
Apr 20, 2015, 6:59 pm
#632
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, KF Gold/PPS
Posts: 204
Question on applying - I've already got global entry, do I just apply on GOES and then walk in to a CBP center and have them take my signature? just want to make sure i'm reading the website correctly.
Apr 20, 2015, 9:51 pm
#633
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,198
Once your app goes into appointment needed status on GOES, you can print out the documents from the site and take everything (including your passport and GE/Nexus card) to your nearest GE/Nexus enrollment center and let them know you just need a signature capture for APEC
Apr 21, 2015, 4:12 pm
#634
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, KF Gold/PPS
Posts: 204
Once your app goes into appointment needed status on GOES, you can print out the documents from the site and take everything (including your passport and GE/Nexus card) to your nearest GE/Nexus enrollment center and let them know you just need a signature capture for APEC
Apr 24, 2015, 3:40 pm
#635
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: AA-Million Miles++, Pan Am, Eastern, Asia Miles, True Blue, IHG Spire, Emirates, APEC & Global Entry
Posts: 116
Chinese Visa Exemption for US APEC?
Hi Folks--
Just found this interesting bit on the New York Chinese Consulate website. Has anyone tested it?
Next week I'll go there and get the skivvy. This would be great if it's true!
It's under:
Introduction to Chinese Visa
2015/03/05
· Visa Exemptions
A foreign citizen can enter China without a visa under any one of the following circumstances:
4. Holders of Valid APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card is a substitute of a multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years. A card holder who presents a valid passport whose image and biometric data exactly matches that on the APEC Business Travel Card can enter China multiple times during the validity of the card for a stay of no more than 2 months each time.
PS: Also found this at Chinese-embassy.info, their national (US) site.
Just found this interesting bit on the New York Chinese Consulate website. Has anyone tested it?
Next week I'll go there and get the skivvy. This would be great if it's true!
It's under:
Introduction to Chinese Visa
2015/03/05
· Visa Exemptions
A foreign citizen can enter China without a visa under any one of the following circumstances:
4. Holders of Valid APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card is a substitute of a multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years. A card holder who presents a valid passport whose image and biometric data exactly matches that on the APEC Business Travel Card can enter China multiple times during the validity of the card for a stay of no more than 2 months each time.
PS: Also found this at Chinese-embassy.info, their national (US) site.
Last edited by Cyllabus; Apr 24, 2015 at 4:03 pm Reason: update
Apr 24, 2015, 6:24 pm
#636
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,198
Hi Folks--
Just found this interesting bit on the New York Chinese Consulate website. Has anyone tested it?
Next week I'll go there and get the skivvy. This would be great if it's true!
It's under:
Introduction to Chinese Visa
2015/03/05
· Visa Exemptions
A foreign citizen can enter China without a visa under any one of the following circumstances:
4. Holders of Valid APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card is a substitute of a multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years. A card holder who presents a valid passport whose image and biometric data exactly matches that on the APEC Business Travel Card can enter China multiple times during the validity of the card for a stay of no more than 2 months each time.
PS: Also found this at Chinese-embassy.info, their national (US) site.
Just found this interesting bit on the New York Chinese Consulate website. Has anyone tested it?
Next week I'll go there and get the skivvy. This would be great if it's true!
It's under:
Introduction to Chinese Visa
2015/03/05
· Visa Exemptions
A foreign citizen can enter China without a visa under any one of the following circumstances:
4. Holders of Valid APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card is a substitute of a multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years. A card holder who presents a valid passport whose image and biometric data exactly matches that on the APEC Business Travel Card can enter China multiple times during the validity of the card for a stay of no more than 2 months each time.
PS: Also found this at Chinese-embassy.info, their national (US) site.
Airline agents are still causing problems with customers trying to use the 72h visa exempt rule in transit.
Apr 25, 2015, 8:23 am
#637
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
Hi Folks--
Just found this interesting bit on the New York Chinese Consulate website. Has anyone tested it?
Next week I'll go there and get the skivvy. This would be great if it's true!
It's under:
Introduction to Chinese Visa
2015/03/05
· Visa Exemptions
A foreign citizen can enter China without a visa under any one of the following circumstances:
4. Holders of Valid APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card is a substitute of a multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years. A card holder who presents a valid passport whose image and biometric data exactly matches that on the APEC Business Travel Card can enter China multiple times during the validity of the card for a stay of no more than 2 months each time.
PS: Also found this at Chinese-embassy.info, their national (US) site.
Just found this interesting bit on the New York Chinese Consulate website. Has anyone tested it?
Next week I'll go there and get the skivvy. This would be great if it's true!
It's under:
Introduction to Chinese Visa
2015/03/05
· Visa Exemptions
A foreign citizen can enter China without a visa under any one of the following circumstances:
4. Holders of Valid APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card is a substitute of a multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years. A card holder who presents a valid passport whose image and biometric data exactly matches that on the APEC Business Travel Card can enter China multiple times during the validity of the card for a stay of no more than 2 months each time.
PS: Also found this at Chinese-embassy.info, their national (US) site.
Apr 27, 2015, 6:00 pm
#638
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: AA-Million Miles++, Pan Am, Eastern, Asia Miles, True Blue, IHG Spire, Emirates, APEC & Global Entry
Posts: 116
Ok, today I spent 2 hours in wind and cold in line outside the NYC Chinese consulate. Jeez, what a system!
Anyway, I showed the visa person my APEC card and the website printout. After some palaver with her boss, they both agreed the card "was my visa" and I do not need anything else.
Wish they'd run interference at customs in Shanghai next month!
And interesting point made about airline agents. How can we check this out???
Meantime, I'll get a 10 year visa just in case. But I'll try to use the APEC first.
Best--
--Cyllabus
Apr 27, 2015, 7:16 pm
#639
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,644
Ok, today I spent 2 hours in wind and cold in line outside the NYC Chinese consulate. Jeez, what a system!
Anyway, I showed the visa person my APEC card and the website printout. After some palaver with her boss, they both agreed the card "was my visa" and I do not need anything else.
Wish they'd run interference at customs in Shanghai next month!
And interesting point made about airline agents. How can we check this out???
Meantime, I'll get a 10 year visa just in case. But I'll try to use the APEC first.
Best--
--Cyllabus
Apr 27, 2015, 7:32 pm
#640
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
Hi Folks--
Ok, today I spent 2 hours in wind and cold in line outside the NYC Chinese consulate. Jeez, what a system!
Anyway, I showed the visa person my APEC card and the website printout. After some palaver with her boss, they both agreed the card "was my visa" and I do not need anything else.
Wish they'd run interference at customs in Shanghai next month!
And interesting point made about airline agents. How can we check this out???
Meantime, I'll get a 10 year visa just in case. But I'll try to use the APEC first.
Best--
--Cyllabus
Ok, today I spent 2 hours in wind and cold in line outside the NYC Chinese consulate. Jeez, what a system!
Anyway, I showed the visa person my APEC card and the website printout. After some palaver with her boss, they both agreed the card "was my visa" and I do not need anything else.
Wish they'd run interference at customs in Shanghai next month!
And interesting point made about airline agents. How can we check this out???
Meantime, I'll get a 10 year visa just in case. But I'll try to use the APEC first.
Best--
--Cyllabus
Apr 27, 2015, 9:03 pm
#641
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,198
Hi Folks--
Ok, today I spent 2 hours in wind and cold in line outside the NYC Chinese consulate. Jeez, what a system!
Anyway, I showed the visa person my APEC card and the website printout. After some palaver with her boss, they both agreed the card "was my visa" and I do not need anything else.
Wish they'd run interference at customs in Shanghai next month!
And interesting point made about airline agents. How can we check this out???
Meantime, I'll get a 10 year visa just in case. But I'll try to use the APEC first.
Best--
--Cyllabus
Ok, today I spent 2 hours in wind and cold in line outside the NYC Chinese consulate. Jeez, what a system!
Anyway, I showed the visa person my APEC card and the website printout. After some palaver with her boss, they both agreed the card "was my visa" and I do not need anything else.
Wish they'd run interference at customs in Shanghai next month!
And interesting point made about airline agents. How can we check this out???
Meantime, I'll get a 10 year visa just in case. But I'll try to use the APEC first.
Best--
--Cyllabus
This is a very serious situation and not to be screwed with - get your visa.
Apr 27, 2015, 11:28 pm
#642
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 222
Not only have you wasted 2hrs, you will not be boarding your flight to China next month. Even if you brought a printout of the rule to the airport and somehow convince an idiotic agent to check you in and board you, upon arrival in Shanghai, you will be detained and deported back to your point of last embarkation.
This is a very serious situation and not to be screwed with - get your visa.
This is a very serious situation and not to be screwed with - get your visa.
Apr 27, 2015, 11:42 pm
#643
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
Apr 28, 2015, 12:09 am
#644
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,198
Apr 28, 2015, 11:41 am
#645
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Oakland, CA USA
Programs: UA MM, Avis CHM
Posts: 118
Family members?
I just went through the APEC line (as a solo traveler) at NRT exit immigration and noticed this signage:
"ABTC holders: Immediate family members only"
So I asked: It's my first time using this card here, but it's OK to bring my family through this way for future travel?
And was told "Yes, you can."
Seems like the sign was put up to prevent colleagues (and lovers?) from tailgating, but I was pleasantly surprised to see family members permitted, since the program was predicated on business visas.
Is this a NRT/Japan-only thing, or do other airports permit family passage as well?
"ABTC holders: Immediate family members only"
So I asked: It's my first time using this card here, but it's OK to bring my family through this way for future travel?
And was told "Yes, you can."
Seems like the sign was put up to prevent colleagues (and lovers?) from tailgating, but I was pleasantly surprised to see family members permitted, since the program was predicated on business visas.
Is this a NRT/Japan-only thing, or do other airports permit family passage as well?