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
Jan 2, 2019, 12:02 am
#1531
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 276
I’m a US citizen. I thought you can have your interview at any GE enrollment center. It’s forcing me to go to a NEXUS enrollment center, and it’s hard for me to go to a NEXUS enrollment center.
Jan 3, 2019, 8:45 am
#1532
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: CX MPC DM
Posts: 416
When I got my APEC last year, I was able to finish the enrollment at a GE center (EWR). Could this possibly have something to do with the US government partial shutdown? I've read on various threads here about GE appointments being canceled. Perhaps choosing a GE center has been temporarily removed as a choice.
Jan 4, 2019, 2:48 pm
#1535
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
I just applied for APEC business travel card, the application was surprising easy. After I paid the $70 fee, BOOM! I was conditionally approved. I go schedule a appointment, it only allow me to schedule a interview at a NEXUS enrollment center ... ??? I logout, log back in... same thing. I can only schedule a appointment at a NEXUS enrollment center.
Did you finish the interview? In the conditional approval notices, they say "A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will collect your digital signature to complete your enrollment, as this is required for card production.", I'm not sure whether we have to wait until the shutdown is over.
Jan 4, 2019, 9:18 pm
#1536
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 276
When I got my APEC last year, I was able to finish the enrollment at a GE center (EWR). Could this possibly have something to do with the US government partial shutdown? I've read on various threads here about GE appointments being canceled. Perhaps choosing a GE center has been temporarily removed as a choice.
Jan 7, 2019, 1:52 am
#1537
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: California
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 107
I just applied for APEC business travel card, the application was surprising easy. After I paid the $70 fee, BOOM! I was conditionally approved. I go schedule a appointment, it only allow me to schedule a interview at a NEXUS enrollment center ... ??? I logout, log back in... same thing. I can only schedule a appointment at a NEXUS enrollment center.
Jan 7, 2019, 10:28 am
#1538
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: UA:MM 1K HH:Diamond IHG:Plat Marriott:Plat
Posts: 652
I am thinking of applying for an ABTC and I am Canadian. Does anyone know if I can get a free reissue of the ABTC if I have to change passports? My passport is valid for 5+ years but I might be running out of pages much sooner than that.
Jan 7, 2019, 10:49 am
#1539
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,644
Nope. Your passport number is printed on the ABTC card.
Jan 7, 2019, 5:17 pm
#1541
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,757
I don't know if it changed, but ~18 months ago in SFO I didn't need an appointment for the APEC interview. I just showed up at the enrollment center and waited for them to come out asking if anyone had appointments (I said I was there for an APEC interview and I think they took me in either right away or maybe after the next person). (I'd wait until after the idiotic shutdown is over to try it unless you're in an airport anyway).
Jan 8, 2019, 12:43 pm
#1542
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
Anyways, from my experiences entering Australia via SYD and MEL, the SmartGate lanes are usually quite short and take 5~10 min to get in. I doubt APTC lanes may have any practical advantages.
Jan 8, 2019, 5:15 pm
#1543
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,155
ABTC also used to allow you to use the Express exit through customs, but they no longer allow that.
Jan 8, 2019, 7:17 pm
#1544
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, VA-Gold, Marriott*LTT, Hilton*Gold, Accor*Platinum
Posts: 5,735
ABTC will buy you nothing at SYD, with the possible exception being if you're travelling with someone young enough that they can't use the gates (below 16 for a non-Aussie I think), although even then it's debatable if you'd be able to use the ABTC lane. The Smartgates are always going to be a better option.
- Queues at each kiosk is 6-8 people (to get your ticket) ... and then 100-200 pax trying to squeeze through the hall to the smartgates
- If the face recognition doesn't work, then the "special assistance" line doesn't do any favours. And my chip isn't reliable (or my face).
Jan 13, 2019, 12:24 pm
#1545
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, AMEX MR, Avios, Marriott, SPG, many more with negligible points
Posts: 167
Am Canadian, and my NEXUS is expiring next year, so I figured I'd go online and see what's up. I found that I could apply for an APEC card so I decided to do that while also submitting the renewal for NEXUS. So eventually (around September/October of this year),
Did someone in the government mix something up? Or is this just messy handling on their part and that I should just keep waiting for the APEC?
- For my NEXUS, I was at the "Wait for conditional approval" stage
- For my APEC, I was "Schedule interview" stage
Did someone in the government mix something up? Or is this just messy handling on their part and that I should just keep waiting for the APEC?