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
Oct 22, 2017, 11:16 pm
#1321
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,152
No.
Take a look at the wikipost which appears at the top of every page in this thread (you may need to click on the
symbol to make it visible):
Take a look at the wikipost which appears at the top of every page in this thread (you may need to click on the
symbol to make it visible):https://www.travelchinaguide.com/emb...isa/intro2.htm
#10 Holders of APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card is regarded as a multiple entry visa valid for three years. With this card and relevant?? passport, the holder is entitled to enter China for many times within its validity. The duration of each stay should be within 2 months
Is there a way to email chinese US embassy/immigration to confirm?
Do any credit cards reimburse for card like for GOES?
Last edited by vickh; Oct 22, 2017 at 11:29 pm
Oct 22, 2017, 11:50 pm
#1322
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,631
Please see
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/emb...isa/intro2.htm
#10 Holders of APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card is regarded as a multiple entry visa valid for three years. With this card and relevant?? passport, the holder is entitled to enter China for many times within its validity. The duration of each stay should be within 2 months
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/emb...isa/intro2.htm
#10 Holders of APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card is regarded as a multiple entry visa valid for three years. With this card and relevant?? passport, the holder is entitled to enter China for many times within its validity. The duration of each stay should be within 2 months
U.S. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Travel Card Program FAQs
And:Travel Card Program FAQs
Can the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card be used in lieu of a visa in a foreign APEC member economy?
No. Foreign APEC member economies will not recognize the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card in lieu of a visa. Card holders must present any travel or identity documentation, such as a passport and visa (where applicable), required by the foreign APEC member economy. If a U.S. APEC Business Travel Card holder does not conform to the foreign economy’s visa, passport or entry requirements, the card holder may be directed to a non-expedited lane or refused entry. Check the entry requirements of the destination APEC member economy before travel.
No. Foreign APEC member economies will not recognize the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card in lieu of a visa. Card holders must present any travel or identity documentation, such as a passport and visa (where applicable), required by the foreign APEC member economy. If a U.S. APEC Business Travel Card holder does not conform to the foreign economy’s visa, passport or entry requirements, the card holder may be directed to a non-expedited lane or refused entry. Check the entry requirements of the destination APEC member economy before travel.
Does a U.S. APEC Business Travel Card Allow Visa-Free Travel to China?
<snip>
The short answer is that U.S. citizen card holders can’t enter China visa-free but can get VIP treatment in airport immigration lines.
<snip>
The U.S. APEC Business Travel Card will enable access to a dedicated fast-track lane for expedited immigration processing at participating foreign APEC member airports listed here. U.S. APEC Business Travel Card holders may also use the Global Entry kiosks at participating airports upon their U.S. return.
But the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card can’t be used in lieu of a visa to enter an APEC member country. Other countries’ APEC cards can be used in lieu of visas. But the U.S. has decided not to participate in the visa reciprocity part of the program because the government is unwilling to waive visa interviews.
<snip>
The short answer is that U.S. citizen card holders can’t enter China visa-free but can get VIP treatment in airport immigration lines.
<snip>
The U.S. APEC Business Travel Card will enable access to a dedicated fast-track lane for expedited immigration processing at participating foreign APEC member airports listed here. U.S. APEC Business Travel Card holders may also use the Global Entry kiosks at participating airports upon their U.S. return.
But the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card can’t be used in lieu of a visa to enter an APEC member country. Other countries’ APEC cards can be used in lieu of visas. But the U.S. has decided not to participate in the visa reciprocity part of the program because the government is unwilling to waive visa interviews.
<snip>
Last edited by TWA884; Oct 22, 2017 at 11:58 pm Reason: Additional information
Oct 24, 2017, 4:58 am
#1323
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
What’s the general consensus on leisure use? I’ve used for business about a half dozen times, never an issue.
In SGN on holiday, I asked if I could use when departing. Agent said sure, but not with family. So I stuck with them rather than separate.
I ask because I’m going solo to DPS in a bit, plan is to politely ask on arrival if I may use.
Any harm in this?
In SGN on holiday, I asked if I could use when departing. Agent said sure, but not with family. So I stuck with them rather than separate.
I ask because I’m going solo to DPS in a bit, plan is to politely ask on arrival if I may use.
Any harm in this?
Oct 24, 2017, 6:20 am
#1324
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
Technically no.
Not sure if there is general consensus given that even when travelling for valid reasons, some immigration officer gets confused that there are no endorsements on the back of the card and either give you a one-time waiver with warning or send you away.
Not sure if there is general consensus given that even when travelling for valid reasons, some immigration officer gets confused that there are no endorsements on the back of the card and either give you a one-time waiver with warning or send you away.
Oct 24, 2017, 7:21 am
#1325
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
Appreciate you weighing in.
Best, Jamie
Oct 24, 2017, 8:34 am
#1326
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
Yup, and clearly there is repeated confusion regarding the difference between the US/Canadian version of the card and the rest-of-APEC version of the card which is why I felt it worthy of the additional clarification.
Oct 24, 2017, 7:23 pm
#1327
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,687
I have seen my share of attempted usage in SE Asia of "full APEC travel privileges" when the card and passport holder is not entitled to them.
Oct 26, 2017, 6:47 am
#1328
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
Passed Senate on 26 SEP.
Passed both Senate and House. Sent to White House on 25 OCT.
<deleted by moderator>
Last edited by TWA884; Oct 26, 2017 at 9:53 am Reason: Comment better made in OMNI/PR
Oct 27, 2017, 2:50 am
#1329
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 217
BTW, I am not sure whether the VIP fast track service has come back. Last time I was there, they had stopped VIP service, apparently due to someone going public with the requested "special services fee" from immigration.
Oct 30, 2017, 12:47 pm
#1330
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
Best Method to Contact CBP - APEC Card Never Arrived
Hey all,
I hope that this is the right forum to post this question (if not, Mods, please feel free to move it!):
I was approved for an APEC card after having my signature collected at IAD over a month ago (this was an add-on to my existing TTP Global Entry). My card has not arrived in the mail, but a colleague who was approved and had their signature collected on the same day received their card over two weeks ago.
I have several trips to Asia coming up, and this card will be very important when arriving at several of the airports. I have tried calling the CBP phone number, but none of the choices apply to my issue, sent an email through the CBP website, but the auto response says that an initial reply may take 10-15 business days.
Anyone have an alternative to what I have already tried?
Many thanks!
I hope that this is the right forum to post this question (if not, Mods, please feel free to move it!):
I was approved for an APEC card after having my signature collected at IAD over a month ago (this was an add-on to my existing TTP Global Entry). My card has not arrived in the mail, but a colleague who was approved and had their signature collected on the same day received their card over two weeks ago.
I have several trips to Asia coming up, and this card will be very important when arriving at several of the airports. I have tried calling the CBP phone number, but none of the choices apply to my issue, sent an email through the CBP website, but the auto response says that an initial reply may take 10-15 business days.
Anyone have an alternative to what I have already tried?
Many thanks!
Oct 30, 2017, 9:42 pm
#1332
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: asia miles
Posts: 398
Taoyuan airport staff have been retrained and counseled on the proper acceptance of all APEC cards regardless of endorsement - if your card lacks an endorsement or visa, just use your passport along with the card. In these cases, the card is not used to enter or exit the country, the passport is - the card is just used to access the shorter line, same as the use of any APEC card in the US or Canada.
Oct 30, 2017, 9:47 pm
#1333
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: asia miles
Posts: 398
What’s the general consensus on leisure use? I’ve used for business about a half dozen times, never an issue.
In SGN on holiday, I asked if I could use when departing. Agent said sure, but not with family. So I stuck with them rather than separate.
I ask because I’m going solo to DPS in a bit, plan is to politely ask on arrival if I may use.
Any harm in this?
In SGN on holiday, I asked if I could use when departing. Agent said sure, but not with family. So I stuck with them rather than separate.
I ask because I’m going solo to DPS in a bit, plan is to politely ask on arrival if I may use.
Any harm in this?
Generally they would accept you to be joined by a child but not an adult. The other day in Osaka, I saw a guy trying to go though the APEC counter on departure with all his family (10+ people). He was told he can be join by one guest only, the rest have to use the regular counter
Oct 31, 2017, 6:57 am
#1334
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
Nov 2, 2017, 1:47 pm
#1335
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
Programs: American Express got a hit man lookin' for me
Posts: 4,596
Possibly dumb question, but do you have to go to an enrollment center when renewing a US ABTC? I just renewed mine online and the website prompted me to make an appointment in a pop-up window, but I couldn't choose any times (times displayed but were not clickable), so closed the pop-up and the rest of the application went through without issue. Not sure whether I am doing this right.
