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
#1546
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Diamond
Posts: 67
So I just used my APEC card for the first time traveling internationally.
Hong Kong (No Problem)
Chiang Mai Thailand: The immigration person said something about the lack of stamp on back and next time use normal line but let me through
Clark Airport Philippines: The agent said i shouldn't use the lane since it wasn't stamped on the back. I countered that I was told that was ONLY if a visa was required to enter a country, if visa not required which it wasn't it wouldn't be stamped. She did let me go but but unsure if she believed me.
I read there are mixed results in the WIKI. Does anyone have specific documentation or something you can carry to explain to the person at immigration that being stamped is not required? I may use google translate and print and bring it with me for future trips
Hong Kong (No Problem)
Chiang Mai Thailand: The immigration person said something about the lack of stamp on back and next time use normal line but let me through
Clark Airport Philippines: The agent said i shouldn't use the lane since it wasn't stamped on the back. I countered that I was told that was ONLY if a visa was required to enter a country, if visa not required which it wasn't it wouldn't be stamped. She did let me go but but unsure if she believed me.
I read there are mixed results in the WIKI. Does anyone have specific documentation or something you can carry to explain to the person at immigration that being stamped is not required? I may use google translate and print and bring it with me for future trips
#1547
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 53
I've had success everywhere (including HKG, PVG, MNL, SIN, DPS, etc.) except DMK. In fact, of the past 4 times I went to DMK I was denied 3 times where the agent told me you need a stamp on back and to get in the other line (which was at LEAST 2 hours long at that point). I haven't had any issues at BKK but the last time I went the agent did look at the back but didn't say anything. Kinda makes me want to avoid DMK if I can fly to BKK instead going forward. I told them that no stamp on the back meant I could go anywhere but she was hell bent on sending me to the end of the longest line.
#1548
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 217
So I just used my APEC card for the first time traveling internationally.
Hong Kong (No Problem)
Chiang Mai Thailand: The immigration person said something about the lack of stamp on back and next time use normal line but let me through
Clark Airport Philippines: The agent said i shouldn't use the lane since it wasn't stamped on the back. I countered that I was told that was ONLY if a visa was required to enter a country, if visa not required which it wasn't it wouldn't be stamped. She did let me go but but unsure if she believed me.
I read there are mixed results in the WIKI. Does anyone have specific documentation or something you can carry to explain to the person at immigration that being stamped is not required? I may use google translate and print and bring it with me for future trips
Hong Kong (No Problem)
Chiang Mai Thailand: The immigration person said something about the lack of stamp on back and next time use normal line but let me through
Clark Airport Philippines: The agent said i shouldn't use the lane since it wasn't stamped on the back. I countered that I was told that was ONLY if a visa was required to enter a country, if visa not required which it wasn't it wouldn't be stamped. She did let me go but but unsure if she believed me.
I read there are mixed results in the WIKI. Does anyone have specific documentation or something you can carry to explain to the person at immigration that being stamped is not required? I may use google translate and print and bring it with me for future trips
Same goes for CNX...never had an issue there, but be aware there is no special lane at departures security and it can get very crowded. There is only one special lane at departures, but once you get past that there is a special booth at immigration. The only special lanes at CNX departures security are for Thai or PRC passport holders and if you have one of those, it's a breeze!
#1549
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Based in Michigan, but I could be anywhere!
Programs: Hilton, American, Club Carlson, United, Marriott, Starwood
Posts: 409
What is the latest state of things at Sydney with regard to companions and/or non-business use of the APEC line? And is it even necessary with the electronic passport queues? (We're arriving on the AA flight from LAX in a few weeks, and it has been several years since I've been to Australia...)
#1550
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,003
Need some advice here.
My APEC card will expire in May 2019. My GE will expire in Jan 2020. I applied for the renewal of GE a few days ago. I read that it could take quite some time for GE renewal to be approved due to the recent federal government shutdown.
Should I apply for renewal of my APEC card now or should I wait for GE to be approved first? If I apply for APEC card renewal before GE is approved, will my APEC expire January 2020 instead of in 3 years?
My APEC card will expire in May 2019. My GE will expire in Jan 2020. I applied for the renewal of GE a few days ago. I read that it could take quite some time for GE renewal to be approved due to the recent federal government shutdown.
Should I apply for renewal of my APEC card now or should I wait for GE to be approved first? If I apply for APEC card renewal before GE is approved, will my APEC expire January 2020 instead of in 3 years?
#1551
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
Need some advice here.
My APEC card will expire in May 2019. My GE will expire in Jan 2020. I applied for the renewal of GE a few days ago. I read that it could take quite some time for GE renewal to be approved due to the recent federal government shutdown.
Should I apply for renewal of my APEC card now or should I wait for GE to be approved first? If I apply for APEC card renewal before GE is approved, will my APEC expire January 2020 instead of in 3 years?
My APEC card will expire in May 2019. My GE will expire in Jan 2020. I applied for the renewal of GE a few days ago. I read that it could take quite some time for GE renewal to be approved due to the recent federal government shutdown.
Should I apply for renewal of my APEC card now or should I wait for GE to be approved first? If I apply for APEC card renewal before GE is approved, will my APEC expire January 2020 instead of in 3 years?
#1552
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,003
How long does it take to receive a new card these days? Nowhere in the application process does it say when a new card will be mailed to me.
Update: I logged in to my TT account and saw a notification dated today - an approval letter which says I will receive my new card within 3 weeks. I didn't get an email notification, though. My GE renewal is still pending.
Last edited by naumank; Feb 15, 2019 at 12:20 pm
#1553
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
I took your advice and applied for the renewal of my APEC card. The application was approved instantaneously and the new expiration date is 2024. I guess they have increased the validity of the card from 3 years to 5 years. MY GE renewal application is still pending, though.
How long does it take to receive a new card these days? Nowhere in the application process does it say when a new card will be mailed to me.
Update: I logged in to my TT account and saw a notification dated today - an approval letter which says I will receive my new card within 3 weeks. I didn't get an email notification, though. My GE renewal is still pending.
How long does it take to receive a new card these days? Nowhere in the application process does it say when a new card will be mailed to me.
Update: I logged in to my TT account and saw a notification dated today - an approval letter which says I will receive my new card within 3 weeks. I didn't get an email notification, though. My GE renewal is still pending.
#1554
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
No Success in BKK
I have a US issued APEC card so there are no listed countries on the back. I travel to BKK every month. The fact that Thailand is not listed on the back is always an issue. Some times I can talk my wY through but more than 50 recent if the time the immigration officer refuses to accept the card and sends me back. I have a Business Visa for Thailand so that is not the issue. It seems BANGKOK does not honor the program without Thailand being listed on the back of the card
#1555
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
I have a US issued APEC card so there are no listed countries on the back. I travel to BKK every month. The fact that Thailand is not listed on the back is always an issue. Some times I can talk my wY through but more than 50 recent if the time the immigration officer refuses to accept the card and sends me back. I have a Business Visa for Thailand so that is not the issue. It seems BANGKOK does not honor the program without Thailand being listed on the back of the card
It makes me wonder why you are encountering such problems.
#1556
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Hi Always Flyin,
We have the same B Visa. Do you try to pass at the Fast Track line where Thai Business Class can pass or do you know another place to pass through where they accept the ABTC? As I mentioned, I enter every month and am always stopped.
We have the same B Visa. Do you try to pass at the Fast Track line where Thai Business Class can pass or do you know another place to pass through where they accept the ABTC? As I mentioned, I enter every month and am always stopped.
#1557
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 217
Travelling on a non-immigrant B visa, I have been entering been entering BKK with ABTC almost every month for nearly three years through both the Fast Track lanes and also the ABTC/Diplomatic lanes located inside the two main immigration halls, both departing and arriving, and I have never once had an issue. It is sort of surprising to hear that you are having a 50% failure rate.
#1558
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
Fortunately, most of my trips are into and out of BKK.
Haven't had an international departure out of DMK in years, but also no problem using the Fast Track departure queue at BKK with my APEC card.
#1559
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
You said "we". Are you trying to enter with family or other people?