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 27, 2020, 2:40 pm
#1651
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K; DL DM; IHG Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold; Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 237
Jan 31, 2020, 3:33 pm
#1653
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Jeff is Deaf
Posts: 541
I use to have the APEC card and traveled in Asia extensively without a work visa. I've never been rejected. Cumulatively, I wouldn't be surprised if the time saved is in the days. Well worth the expense.
Card was especially helpful at DMK airport with its throngs of Chinese tourists
Card was especially helpful at DMK airport with its throngs of Chinese tourists
Feb 5, 2020, 7:21 am
#1654
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: UA:MM 1K HH:Diamond IHG:Plat Marriott:Plat
Posts: 652
I have applied for the ABTC and somewhat surprised by the limited number of interview locations. I have gotten conditionally approved and the nearest location to ATL is MIA and the appointments are couple of months out wherever I look. Has anyone had success walking into the GE enrollment center in ATL?
Feb 14, 2020, 10:14 pm
#1656
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
I raised the question of whether US ABTC cardholders could apply for visa exemption from other countries even though the U.S. was only a transitional member...https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23026667-post36.html...
A the time, the questions was poo-poohed.... but
According to the regulations published in the Federal Register...
https://www.federalregister.gov/docu...l-card-program
So the question is....
1. Which countries provide pre-clearance benefits to travelers from transitional member countries.
2. How do you submit an application for getting the benefit.
A the time, the questions was poo-poohed.... but
According to the regulations published in the Federal Register...
https://www.federalregister.gov/docu...l-card-program
"Fully participating members may choose to provide full “pre-clearance benefits” to any transitional member whether or not the transitional member provides similar full “pre-clearance benefits.”
1. Which countries provide pre-clearance benefits to travelers from transitional member countries.
2. How do you submit an application for getting the benefit.
Feb 15, 2020, 12:23 pm
#1657
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,159
2. The request is handled by your government (US/Canada). Once they receive approval they will provide an APEC card with that country's code listed on the back of the card.
Given 1, neither US or Canada do 2.
Feb 15, 2020, 5:57 pm
#1658
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
On what basis do you know that the answer to 1. is none?
Feb 15, 2020, 9:44 pm
#1659
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-t...rams/apec-faqs
https://www.apec.org/Groups/Committe...Group/ABTC/FAQ
Traveling with the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card
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.
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.
Question 3 – What is the difference between fully participating members and transitional members?
…
ABTC holders from transitional economies are not able to receive pre-clearance from fully participating economies and must therefore present any visas, travel or other entry documents that are required for entry to their destination economy.
The reverse side of an ABTC issued by a fully participating economy will list the economies to which the holder has been granted pre-clearance. The reverse side of an ABTC issued by a transitional economy will be blank.
…
ABTC holders from transitional economies are not able to receive pre-clearance from fully participating economies and must therefore present any visas, travel or other entry documents that are required for entry to their destination economy.
The reverse side of an ABTC issued by a fully participating economy will list the economies to which the holder has been granted pre-clearance. The reverse side of an ABTC issued by a transitional economy will be blank.
Feb 16, 2020, 12:36 am
#1660
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
"Fully participating members may choose to provide full “pre-clearance benefits” to any transitional member whether or not the transitional member provides similar full “pre-clearance benefits.”
As far as I can tell, the only reason U.S. card holders can not get pre-clearance benefits is because the CBP has unilaterally decided they won't request those benefits on behalf of U.S. card holders. (Per an earlier submission in the Federal Register, CBP states..."It is not expected that foreign APEC members will recognize the U.S. ABTC in lieu of a visa.")
Also as far as I can tell there is no language in the regs of any participating economy that says pre-clearance benefits are limited to card holders from full member economies.
My best guess (and I may well be wrong) but it looks to me like the lack of pre-clearance benefits has no basis either in the APEC agreement or in any enabling law or regulation and is just something made up by the same bureaucrats who wrote the FAQ.
Feb 16, 2020, 12:38 am
#1661
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
Feb 16, 2020, 12:47 am
#1662
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
You're looking at it the wrong way. Member countries can apparently offer it to transitional countries on a voluntary basis (according to the third party account in the Federal Register, the actual agreement and framework do not appear to be published by APEC directly) but there's no mandatory requirement as long as they're transitional members. As a practical matter, without reciprocal visa free entry, other countries are unlikely to allow visa free entry unilaterally. The FAQs represent what the de facto status is, not what could be possible. If you look at the approval tracker, the US and Canada are not included so it doesn't look like there even an attempt at extending pre clearance to those two countries.
Feb 16, 2020, 5:55 am
#1663
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Based in Michigan, but I could be anywhere!
Programs: Hilton, American, Club Carlson, United, Marriott, Starwood
Posts: 409
You're looking at it the wrong way. Member countries can apparently offer it to transitional countries on a voluntary basis (according to the third party account in the Federal Register, the actual agreement and framework do not appear to be published by APEC directly) but there's no mandatory requirement as long as they're transitional members. As a practical matter, without reciprocal visa free entry, other countries are unlikely to allow visa free entry unilaterally. The FAQs represent what the de facto status is, not what could be possible. If you look at the approval tracker, the US and Canada are not included so it doesn't look like there even an attempt at extending pre clearance to those two countries.
(to the OP) There have been random reports of border agents letting people through without country codes, and others treating a non-coded card as if the card itself doesn't exist, and throwing folks back into the "normal" line. But this is less a reflection of the country's policy as it is of the border agent's uncertainty about how to handle the transitional card. At least for now, as far as I'm aware, the official policies are as described (fast lane access), and you need to take any "standard" pre-entry actions you normally would (visa, ETA, etc....).
Feb 16, 2020, 7:17 pm
#1664
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
You're looking at it the wrong way. Member countries can apparently offer it to transitional countries on a voluntary basis (according to the third party account in the Federal Register, the actual agreement and framework do not appear to be published by APEC directly) but there's no mandatory requirement as long as they're transitional members. As a practical matter, without reciprocal visa free entry, other countries are unlikely to allow visa free entry unilaterally. The FAQs represent what the de facto status is, not what could be possible. If you look at the approval tracker, the US and Canada are not included so it doesn't look like there even an attempt at extending pre clearance to those two countries.
As a practical matter, without reciprocal visa free entry, other countries are unlikely to allow visa free entry unilaterally.
IMHO, what happened is that the CBP unilaterally decided not to request the pre-clearance benefit for U.S. cardholders because either they assumed (probably incorrectly) that clearance would not be granted, or more likely they were incapable of implementing (as prescribed in the ABTC Framework and the laws of U.S.) the mechanics for seeking pre-clearance. Don't forget this was the agency that spent $2.5 million dollars and took 2 1/2 years to implement the current card system in the U.S. which consists of capturing digital signatures with a signature pad available for $98 on Amazon to print primitive (no strip or chip) cards which cost less than 10 cents, and which required only a minor modification to an existing software system which at most should have taken a month and cost $25k.
Feb 16, 2020, 7:47 pm
#1665
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,639
Last edited by TWA884; Feb 16, 2020 at 7:53 pm