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
Nov 4, 2017, 7:38 am
#1337
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
S.504 - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2017
Passed both Senate and House. Sent to White House on 25 OCT.
Passed both Senate and House. Sent to White House on 25 OCT.
Sunset clause removed.
Nov 5, 2017, 11:44 pm
#1338
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
Decided to apply for this while renewing global entry. Is the gist of this that I would get to use an expedited line when arriving at participating countries?
Nov 6, 2017, 4:59 am
#1339
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Based in Michigan, but I could be anywhere!
Programs: Hilton, American, Club Carlson, United, Marriott, Starwood
Posts: 409
You have pretty much summed it up for US/CA based travelers. Given that Congress just passed a long-term/permanent extension, maybe we'll get past this whole "transitional" thing, and start working on endorsements. (OK, rose-colored glasses, but a guy's gotta have a dream...)
Nov 7, 2017, 4:51 am
#1340
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bangkok
Programs: CX Gold, UA Silver, AA Gold (1MM), Marriott Plat
Posts: 117
Just renewed a card my APEC card due to expire 17-JAN-2018, online today, so it seems the renewal window has widened. It took my $70, and then it says the application was approved, new card expires 17-JAN-2023. It did not say when the card will be mailed, I hope soon.
Last edited by hpvamp; Nov 7, 2017 at 5:04 am
Nov 7, 2017, 6:42 am
#1341
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
ABTC issued on/after 1SEP2015 should expire 5 years or passport expiration whichever comes first.
Nov 7, 2017, 4:17 pm
#1342
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 40
EDIT: To stop potential confusion before it starts, my passport IS valid beyond what would have been the five-year mark in 2016 (i.e., 2021).
Last edited by Nexpoman; Nov 7, 2017 at 4:22 pm Reason: more info
Nov 7, 2017, 10:52 pm
#1343
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
https://www.apec.org/Press/News-Releases/2015/0728_ABTC
CBP might have been late in implementing it.
CBP might have been late in implementing it.
Nov 11, 2017, 6:41 pm
#1344
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bangkok
Programs: CX Gold, UA Silver, AA Gold (1MM), Marriott Plat
Posts: 117
Looks like APEC extended it in 01SEP2015, the CBP followed through to implement it 13DEC2016.
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nationa...usiness-travel
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nationa...usiness-travel
Nov 11, 2017, 9:41 pm
#1345
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
Programs: American Express got a hit man lookin' for me
Posts: 4,596
Update: got my renewal card in the mail without having to appear in person anywhere. Took about a week from online application until the card reached my mailbox in DC.
Nov 11, 2017, 10:29 pm
#1346
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
You have pretty much summed it up for US/CA based travelers. Given that Congress just passed a long-term/permanent extension, maybe we'll get past this whole "transitional" thing, and start working on endorsements. (OK, rose-colored glasses, but a guy's gotta have a dream...)
Nov 12, 2017, 7:04 pm
#1347
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
For non-visa-waiver countries, all the U.S. would have to do is require an in-person interview as part of the pre-screening process to qualify for entry under APEC, just as they do now with 10-year business visas.
It wouldn't take much to implement pre-screening for U.S. APEC, but they have shown no interest in doing so.
Nov 12, 2017, 8:45 pm
#1348
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
Having to have an interview completely changes the way it would have to work. It's no longer hands-off. There would have to be some way to nominate if you wanted US approval or not (so the card would be issued when everyone else approved). Extra fees, most likely extra paperwork, and so on...
I'm not saying it couldn't be done, but it would be a very different process than currently exists...
Nov 12, 2017, 9:00 pm
#1349
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
For visa-waiver APEC countries (e.g., Singapore), nothing different would need to be done. They are already allowed to waltz in the gate. All they would have to do is notify the U.S. they are coming in advance, as they do now with ESTA.
For non-visa-waiver countries, all the U.S. would have to do is require an in-person interview as part of the pre-screening process to qualify for entry under APEC, just as they do now with 10-year business visas.
It wouldn't take much to implement pre-screening for U.S. APEC, but they have shown no interest in doing so.
For non-visa-waiver countries, all the U.S. would have to do is require an in-person interview as part of the pre-screening process to qualify for entry under APEC, just as they do now with 10-year business visas.
It wouldn't take much to implement pre-screening for U.S. APEC, but they have shown no interest in doing so.
For starters, legislation needs to change to accomplish this. 8 CFR §212.1 Documentary requirements for nonimmigrants requires a visa for all nonimmigrant aliens except those listed in that section (eg VWP). This would have to be amended to include a section for ABTC cardholders to get around 8 CFR §212.1. Same applies to 22 CFR §41.
Adding ABTC as an exception for the visa-required-for-admission requirement above effectively means US will allow entry of these individuals (ABTCs from non-VWP countries) solely on the basis of that country's ABTC eligibility qualifications. So if an APEC country suddenly decided to lower the ABTC qualification bar for its applicants to "self-certify" they are a bona fide business person, anybody who can pay the fee and check a box on a website is now qualified to enter the US.
No need to surrender your life savings to human smugglers and risk life and limb in the Arizona desert or spend weeks in a cargo container when all you have to do is qualify for an ABTC.
In regards to "in-person interviews" - Considering that a visa is required to enter the US, then these in-person interviews would have to take place at US embassy/consulates. And what exactly would take place at these interviews? A nice handshake, a cup of coffee and a verification that passport picture matches person who shows up? Or perhaps the applicant will have to bring in some sort of documentation supporting a legitimate business visit to US? Sounds just like a visa interview to me. And if US is allowed to require an "NOT-a-visa-application, in-person interview" before USA being endorsed on ABTC, what's stopping other countries from doing the same to US ABTC applicants? This sounds exactly like what we have today; non-VWP ABTC needing to apply for US visa and USA ABTC needing to apply for a visa for certain countries.
Same discussion as before and we beat this horse to death 3 years ago.
Last edited by seawolf; Nov 13, 2017 at 6:51 am Reason: Updated USC to CFR
Nov 13, 2017, 12:19 am
#1350
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 177
Depends on what you define as "wouldn't take much."
For starters, legislation needs to change to accomplish this. 8 USC §212.1 Documentary requirements for nonimmigrants requires a visa for all nonimmigrant aliens except those listed in that section (eg VWP). This would have to be amended to include a section for ABTC cardholders to get around 8 USC §212.1. Same applies to 22 USC §41.
<snip>
For starters, legislation needs to change to accomplish this. 8 USC §212.1 Documentary requirements for nonimmigrants requires a visa for all nonimmigrant aliens except those listed in that section (eg VWP). This would have to be amended to include a section for ABTC cardholders to get around 8 USC §212.1. Same applies to 22 USC §41.
<snip>
While changes to the U.S. Code do require legislation to pass Congress, changes to the C.F.R. can be effected with a fairly simple rulemaking process by the agency.