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 ABTC/APEC Business Travel Card: Updates, Experiences, Q&A
Jun 4, 2018, 7:24 pm
#1456
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
Thanks......want to ask an additional question:
Since US/Canadian Citizens can apply through HKG, can a US card be renewed/re-applied in HKG after the passport expires to take advantage of the added countries at the back?
Or is it simply not do-able/not worthwhile to do? TIA
Since US/Canadian Citizens can apply through HKG, can a US card be renewed/re-applied in HKG after the passport expires to take advantage of the added countries at the back?
Or is it simply not do-able/not worthwhile to do? TIA
Jun 4, 2018, 9:58 pm
#1457
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: Marco Polo, BA Executive club, SPG, Hyatt,
Posts: 65
Understand. When I mean renewal, the US will issue the card as a renewal, but if it is applied in HKG, then profile will be sent to those countries for vetting which takes 3-5 months.
Given that U.S. already has quite a few Visa free countries on the list, I think maybe the back of the card isn't that important?
When I applied in U.S., I just need to show my work and my passport (for frequent travel to the APEC countries) to obtain it. Guess I shall stick to the U.S. card...
Given that U.S. already has quite a few Visa free countries on the list, I think maybe the back of the card isn't that important?
When I applied in U.S., I just need to show my work and my passport (for frequent travel to the APEC countries) to obtain it. Guess I shall stick to the U.S. card...
Jun 4, 2018, 10:40 pm
#1458
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
Ah, yes. Also bear in mind that if you were to get an HK or other overseas ABTC, then every time you get a new one, it will take the same time for vetting - there is no faster vetting for renewals, and you have to provide the same proof as the original app. US is probably fine I think.
Jun 5, 2018, 4:59 am
#1461
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, VA-Gold, Marriott*LTT, Hilton*Gold, Accor*Platinum
Posts: 5,735
Canadian passport holder, but live in Australia... Are you saying in HK I can apply for the ABTC card?!? I struggle to get Nexus appointments whenever I'm back in the motherland and didn't know this option existed...
Thanks......want to ask an additional question:
Since US/Canadian Citizens can apply through HKG, can a US card be renewed/re-applied in HKG after the passport expires to take advantage of the added countries at the back?
Or is it simply not do-able/not worthwhile to do? TIA
Since US/Canadian Citizens can apply through HKG, can a US card be renewed/re-applied in HKG after the passport expires to take advantage of the added countries at the back?
Or is it simply not do-able/not worthwhile to do? TIA
Jun 5, 2018, 6:39 am
#1462
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 40
By the way, it's worth mentioning that renewals are now possible a full year before expiration, not just 30 days beforehand, as I believe it used to be.
Last edited by Nexpoman; Jun 5, 2018 at 6:49 am Reason: added information
Jun 5, 2018, 7:22 am
#1463
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 40
For those who are eligible, the only advantage that a Hong Kong ABTC offers over US or Canadian cards is visa-free access to four countries: Vietnam, China, Papua New Guinea, and Russia. PNG has visas upon arrival for people from the US and Canada, and Vietnam now has an easy-to-use eVisa system, so you could make the case that we're talking only about visa-free travel to China and Russia (granted, I'm over-simplifying a bit to keep this relevant). A Hong Kong ABTC could also avoid the issue of immigration authorities who are unaware that US and Canadian ABTCs do not list countries that have pre-screened individual travelers for visa-free travel, but this problem is rapidly becoming a non-issue, as least according to reports on this site.
Now then, before we inadvertently go off track, I suggest that we take Seawolf's advice and head back to the overwhelming majority of US and Canadian ABTC holders who do not also happen to be permanent residents of Hong Kong!
Last edited by Nexpoman; Jun 5, 2018 at 7:30 am
Jun 5, 2018, 2:51 pm
#1464
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,533
Just used my ABTC at DPS, going through the diplomatic/ABTC queue off to the left of the immigration hall. Presented the immigration, he flipped it over (and saw nothing there of course) and said "just a minute". He left and went to an office, I suppose to speak with his supervisor. After about five minutes, he returned and said they did not understand why there were no countries listed on the back, but OK, he would stamp me in and I received the usual 30 day visa exempt stamp.
No queue at all at the normal positions. It would have been faster for me to just use one of those, but I wanted to see what would happen at the ABTC queue.
No queue at all at the normal positions. It would have been faster for me to just use one of those, but I wanted to see what would happen at the ABTC queue.
Jun 5, 2018, 8:53 pm
#1465
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: Marco Polo, BA Executive club, SPG, Hyatt,
Posts: 65
I agree that this certainly has the potential to go off topic; having said that, it is still relevant for ABTC cards for US and Canadian citizens if we keep it there. The Hong Kong application requires US and Canadian citizens - and everyone else, for that matter, including Chinese citizens - to supply a Hong Kong permanent resident number for the application: https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/id900.pdf This will exclude the vast majority of US and Canadian citizens.
For those who are eligible, the only advantage that a Hong Kong ABTC offers over US or Canadian cards is visa-free access to four countries: Vietnam, China, Papua New Guinea, and Russia. PNG has visas upon arrival for people from the US and Canada, and Vietnam now has an easy-to-use eVisa system, so you could make the case that we're talking only about visa-free travel to China and Russia (granted, I'm over-simplifying a bit to keep this relevant). A Hong Kong ABTC could also avoid the issue of immigration authorities who are unaware that US and Canadian ABTCs do not list countries that have pre-screened individual travelers for visa-free travel, but this problem is rapidly becoming a non-issue, as least according to reports on this site.
Now then, before we inadvertently go off track, I suggest that we take Seawolf's advice and head back to the overwhelming majority of US and Canadian ABTC holders who do not also happen to be permanent residents of Hong Kong!
For those who are eligible, the only advantage that a Hong Kong ABTC offers over US or Canadian cards is visa-free access to four countries: Vietnam, China, Papua New Guinea, and Russia. PNG has visas upon arrival for people from the US and Canada, and Vietnam now has an easy-to-use eVisa system, so you could make the case that we're talking only about visa-free travel to China and Russia (granted, I'm over-simplifying a bit to keep this relevant). A Hong Kong ABTC could also avoid the issue of immigration authorities who are unaware that US and Canadian ABTCs do not list countries that have pre-screened individual travelers for visa-free travel, but this problem is rapidly becoming a non-issue, as least according to reports on this site.
Now then, before we inadvertently go off track, I suggest that we take Seawolf's advice and head back to the overwhelming majority of US and Canadian ABTC holders who do not also happen to be permanent residents of Hong Kong!
There is actually quite a sizable population (although pales in comparison to those who actively comes to APEC countries for trade) who can go through APEC card with PR. Anyone who has a valid work visa (other than domestic helper) who worked in HK for 7 years would qualify. That would include expats from U.S. countries with Hong Kong as their Asian Headquarters.
Jun 5, 2018, 9:00 pm
#1466
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: Marco Polo, BA Executive club, SPG, Hyatt,
Posts: 65
Another Question: If you use APEC card, then supposedly you are on business. Do you then have to get a business visa (for the five countries that are not visa-free)?
China Business Visa is quite difficult to get, because it requires a party in China to write a letter for you as invitation so that, more or less implied, that company is responsible for your whereabouts. It then makes it difficult for people who just want to go to China to tap individuals for startups and stuff......
China Business Visa is quite difficult to get, because it requires a party in China to write a letter for you as invitation so that, more or less implied, that company is responsible for your whereabouts. It then makes it difficult for people who just want to go to China to tap individuals for startups and stuff......
Jun 6, 2018, 3:53 am
#1467
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: MPC, Marriott, Hyatt
Posts: 406
I've never had an issue with using it on holiday traveling with my family - they are usually kind enough to wave me, the wife and the kids all through the expedited line (although, interestingly enough, they wouldn't wave me and two co-workers through, even though two of us had ABTC cards).
Jun 6, 2018, 3:55 am
#1468
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: MPC, Marriott, Hyatt
Posts: 406
Another Question: If you use APEC card, then supposedly you are on business. Do you then have to get a business visa (for the five countries that are not visa-free)?
China Business Visa is quite difficult to get, because it requires a party in China to write a letter for you as invitation so that, more or less implied, that company is responsible for your whereabouts. It then makes it difficult for people who just want to go to China to tap individuals for startups and stuff......
China Business Visa is quite difficult to get, because it requires a party in China to write a letter for you as invitation so that, more or less implied, that company is responsible for your whereabouts. It then makes it difficult for people who just want to go to China to tap individuals for startups and stuff......
Jun 6, 2018, 5:15 am
#1469
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,533
I've never had an issue with using it on holiday traveling with my family - they are usually kind enough to wave me, the wife and the kids all through the expedited line (although, interestingly enough, they wouldn't wave me and two co-workers through, even though two of us had ABTC cards).
Best, Jamie
Jun 6, 2018, 5:27 am
#1470
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,635
This isn't an issue with the US-issed ABTC (which is the one I have) so I can't say for the HK-issued ABTC. I've never had an immigration agent give me any problems because I've indicated on the immigration form that I was arriving for holiday but still using my ABTC, so I don't think there's necessarily an explicit expectation that you must be on a business visa to use an ABTC.
Thank you for this. I’m arriving DPS solo, around midnight, and eager to get to the family in Sanur as quickly as possible. Less concerned about our departure as a family, midday a few weeks later. We ordinarily arrive together on the first flight from SIN so never have a problem. We stopped flying CX years ago due peak arrival time. Midnight not much better as I recall.
Best, Jamie