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 13, 2017, 7:01 am
#1351
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
As a friendly clarification, you cited and linked to sections of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), not the United States Code (U.S.C.). So, the provisions you noted would be 8 CFR § 212.1 and 22 CFR § 41.
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.
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.
Either or both of the requirements of paragraph (7)(B)(i) of subsection (a) may be waived by the Attorney General and the Secretary of State acting jointly (A) on the basis of unforeseen emergency in individual cases, or (B) on the basis of reciprocity with respect to nationals of foreign contiguous territory or of adjacent islands and residents thereof having a common nationality with such nationals, or (C) in the case of aliens proceeding in immediate and continuous transit through the United States under contracts authorized in section 1223(c) of this title.
Nov 13, 2017, 7:56 am
#1352
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,634
Moderator's Note:
Folks,
Two points.
First, the Trusted Travelers forum is informational. Please limit your responses here to facts, experiences, data points and practical advice. Opinion and commentary belong in the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum.
Secondly, the topic of this thread is: "ABTC/APEC Business Travel Card for US/Canadian Citizens: Updates, Experiences, Q&A." This is not the correct place to discuss US visa requirements, etc., for APEC cardholders from other countries.
Future off topic messages will be summarily deleted without further notice.
Thank you for understanding,
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Two points.
First, the Trusted Travelers forum is informational. Please limit your responses here to facts, experiences, data points and practical advice. Opinion and commentary belong in the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum.
Secondly, the topic of this thread is: "ABTC/APEC Business Travel Card for US/Canadian Citizens: Updates, Experiences, Q&A." This is not the correct place to discuss US visa requirements, etc., for APEC cardholders from other countries.
Future off topic messages will be summarily deleted without further notice.
Thank you for understanding,
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Nov 29, 2017, 10:25 pm
#1353
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: MM / UA 1K
Posts: 473
NRT - Used my newly acquired APEC card both on arrival and departure without question.
On arrival, there was only one officer at the APEC counter and three passengers ahead of me. It seemed that using the regular foreigners immigration line on that day would have been as fast or faster than the APEC line.
On departure I was first in line at the APEC counter and I pretty much flew through.
On arrival, there was only one officer at the APEC counter and three passengers ahead of me. It seemed that using the regular foreigners immigration line on that day would have been as fast or faster than the APEC line.
On departure I was first in line at the APEC counter and I pretty much flew through.
Dec 27, 2017, 11:08 pm
#1355
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, VA-Gold, Marriott*LTT, Hilton*Gold, Accor*Platinum
Posts: 5,735
Has anyone experienced the ABTC (APEC) interview? Looks like it books for the same slots as NEXUS, which isn’t great... (But, I could show up 90 mins late for a slot because I can't get on an earlier flight ... jokes)
Dec 28, 2017, 5:20 pm
#1356
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Amb, Hertz PC, Natl EE
Posts: 285
As a data point, I renewed my passport which negates my current ABTC card. Went to the new GOES site and selected to renew the card. Just had to pay processing fee again, everything done online, very easy. My new card arrived by mail 3 weeks later. Much more efficient than I had expected.
Dec 28, 2017, 6:24 pm
#1357
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
I got my ABTC at the same time I renewed by GE membership, and whatever the ABTC questions were, they were very much in passing. The whole process was very quick.
Dec 31, 2017, 12:38 am
#1358
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego US and Brisbane AU
Programs: AA EXP/2MM - DL PM - OZ Diamond - Bonvoy LTT - Hyatt Glob - IHG Plat - National EE - Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,315
Has anyone happened to get a credit card reimbursement on their ABTC renewal fee? Not sure how most card companies auto-process the Global Entry credit -- I'm assuming the merchant will be the same for the ABTC fee, but the amount will of course be different. But I have both the CSR and Citi Prestige cards and was wondering if it might qualify for reimbursement on one or the other...
Dec 31, 2017, 10:33 am
#1360
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,945
Has anyone happened to get a credit card reimbursement on their ABTC renewal fee? Not sure how most card companies auto-process the Global Entry credit -- I'm assuming the merchant will be the same for the ABTC fee, but the amount will of course be different. But I have both the CSR and Citi Prestige cards and was wondering if it might qualify for reimbursement on one or the other...
Jan 1, 2018, 2:14 am
#1361
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego US and Brisbane AU
Programs: AA EXP/2MM - DL PM - OZ Diamond - Bonvoy LTT - Hyatt Glob - IHG Plat - National EE - Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,315
Just renewed my ABTC and the application immediately went to approved status! Definitely easier than expected. Now just waiting on Global Entry renewal...
Jan 1, 2018, 2:21 am
#1362
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego US and Brisbane AU
Programs: AA EXP/2MM - DL PM - OZ Diamond - Bonvoy LTT - Hyatt Glob - IHG Plat - National EE - Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,315
Didn't need one for my renewal just now, but did one on the initial application. I went to the San Ysidro border crossing (next to Tijuana) here in the San Diego area, so my interviewer wasn't that familiar with the program. But it was basically very similar to my first Global Entry interview where the officer asked about the countries I visited, what I did there, etc. For the ABTC card, the officer also asked about my work and business ties to the region (I brought business-related letters, history of travel and extra documentation like my Hong Kong e-channel/frequent visitor registration, etc. -- but didn't really need to show them).
Jan 2, 2018, 12:41 am
#1363
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
I walked in at LAX and the whole process took about 10 minutes. The next appointment slot was 3 months away. Somewhere on the site there is a list of locations and it says which require appointments for APEC (it's only a few).
They basically asked me why I needed APEC and I had lots of China and Australia stamps/visas so I don't think it took much convincing.
Jan 4, 2018, 10:38 am
#1364
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
Yes, but for most airports there is no appointment necessary.
I walked in at LAX and the whole process took about 10 minutes. The next appointment slot was 3 months away. Somewhere on the site there is a list of locations and it says which require appointments for APEC (it's only a few).
They basically asked me why I needed APEC and I had lots of China and Australia stamps/visas so I don't think it took much convincing.
I walked in at LAX and the whole process took about 10 minutes. The next appointment slot was 3 months away. Somewhere on the site there is a list of locations and it says which require appointments for APEC (it's only a few).
They basically asked me why I needed APEC and I had lots of China and Australia stamps/visas so I don't think it took much convincing.
Jan 5, 2018, 5:08 pm
#1365
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, VA-Gold, Marriott*LTT, Hilton*Gold, Accor*Platinum
Posts: 5,735
As a Canadian it doesn’t give me the chance to ask at LAX. Assume that’s because there are no Canadian officers there? Has any Canuck had success at a non-NEXUS airport?
Yes, but for most airports there is no appointment necessary.
I walked in at LAX and the whole process took about 10 minutes. The next appointment slot was 3 months away. Somewhere on the site there is a list of locations and it says which require appointments for APEC (it's only a few).
They basically asked me why I needed APEC and I had lots of China and Australia stamps/visas so I don't think it took much convincing.
I walked in at LAX and the whole process took about 10 minutes. The next appointment slot was 3 months away. Somewhere on the site there is a list of locations and it says which require appointments for APEC (it's only a few).
They basically asked me why I needed APEC and I had lots of China and Australia stamps/visas so I don't think it took much convincing.