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
Jun 25, 2015, 7:00 pm
#706
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
I interviewed recently for Global Entry and ABTC at Bowling Green in NYC. The CBP officer asked specifically if I had been to Asia at least 7 times within the last year. I said no, but my business travel to Asia is increasing this year. He said that this was only supposed to be for frequent travelers, and reconfirmed that my Asia business travel was increasing, then approved me.
Received my card 1 week later! Looking forward to using it at NRT and ICN next month!
Received my card 1 week later! Looking forward to using it at NRT and ICN next month!
Jun 25, 2015, 8:10 pm
#707
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
Jun 25, 2015, 8:19 pm
#708
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Because dstan was applying for the ABTC. ABTC are for "bona fide business persons engaged in business who may need to travel frequently on short-term visits within the APEC region to fulfill business commitments. A bona fide business person is defined in the APEC Framework as a person who is engaged in the trade of goods, the provision of services, or the conduct of investment activities." Most APEC countries are in Asia.
Jun 26, 2015, 9:29 am
#709
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: DL Skymiles Gold, PAL Mabuhay Miles
Posts: 12
That makes me wonder; has anyone who was already approved for GE been actually *denied* an ABTC?
Jun 26, 2015, 10:34 am
#710
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
That's the first I've heard of it as well. My interviewer (in ATL, in July last year) just casually asked me what my business was in Asia while she was preparing the signature and fingerprint capture. No mention of 7 trips per year.
That makes me wonder; has anyone who was already approved for GE been actually *denied* an ABTC?
That makes me wonder; has anyone who was already approved for GE been actually *denied* an ABTC?
Jun 26, 2015, 10:57 am
#711
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
This was part of my GE renewal interview, and the exact order and wording was from memory, but the only part I can remember even touching on the ABTC was:
"when do you next expect to enter an APEC country on business?"
"I expect to start having to fly out to [my employer's] [our one major Asian] office later this year, and fairly regularly after that."
"when did you last enter an APEC country on business?"
"2012"
Jul 1, 2015, 10:18 pm
#712
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
Interestingly I guess these questions are new.
I never got anything asked; I don't think they were sure what that ABTC was at the time. Anyways had they asked I should have showed them the four weekly entry and exit stamps I have in my passport for the past two years.
I never got anything asked; I don't think they were sure what that ABTC was at the time. Anyways had they asked I should have showed them the four weekly entry and exit stamps I have in my passport for the past two years.
Jul 1, 2015, 10:36 pm
#713
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
Other than the wait to see the agent, process took <5 mins.
Jul 2, 2015, 12:01 pm
#715
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
Just got my 10 year tourist visa for China today and scheduled to fly to PVG later this month. Would like to use my ABCT card....other than the endorsement or lack of on the back of the card, will there be any problem entering with tourist visa? Worse comes to worse, they tell me to go to another line? Thanks
Jul 2, 2015, 1:06 pm
#716
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
If you are traveling there for business and entering the country on a tourist visa, you are violating the immigration laws. If you are traveling there for leisure and using the ABTC lane, you are violating the ABTC scheme. So, if I understand your question correctly, you are asking, "will they look the other way if I do one of the above?"
The answer might depend on the port of entry and where the ABTC is checked; sometimes a line minder checks the ABTC at the entrance to the courtesy line and the immigration officer doesn't ask for it in which case your purpose of travel would not arise in the context of the ABTC. Most of the time there is no line minder and the ABTC is presented to the immigration officer, so it would be at his/her whim.
The answer might depend on the port of entry and where the ABTC is checked; sometimes a line minder checks the ABTC at the entrance to the courtesy line and the immigration officer doesn't ask for it in which case your purpose of travel would not arise in the context of the ABTC. Most of the time there is no line minder and the ABTC is presented to the immigration officer, so it would be at his/her whim.
Jul 16, 2015, 1:36 am
#718
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP/CK/1 MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hotels.com Gold, National Car EMC
Posts: 19
DFW enrollment center
Does anyone know if DFW enrollment center in Terminal D accepts walk-ins?
If so, can anyone share the wait time you experienced?
If so, can anyone share the wait time you experienced?
Jul 16, 2015, 1:33 pm
#719
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: AA CK Hilton Diamond
Posts: 55
Jul 16, 2015, 6:53 pm
#720
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
SFO takes walk-ins, comparably quick. I was also renewing GE, but did that with an on-site interview at my employer, and had to run to the airport to collect the signature.