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 24, 2014, 12:08 pm
#452
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Places
Programs: CI Paragon, AF Gold, Bonvoy Ambassador Elite, Shangri-La Jade
Posts: 170
I am also experiencing problems using my APEC going inbound in TPE today, November 21st. I have just went on APEC's website to complain that I am not paying the money to being called that U.S. issued APEC cards are not "valid".
I would highly that for those of us who travel to Taiwan often, we should all write a complaint letter to APEC.org so that they'll try to do something about it. Just my $0.02.
I would highly that for those of us who travel to Taiwan often, we should all write a complaint letter to APEC.org so that they'll try to do something about it. Just my $0.02.
Nov 24, 2014, 12:17 pm
#453
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 112
The two contacts I mentioned have more of an oversight role. It is up to the individual member countries to propose agenda topics. So I think it may be most productive for you to try contacting someone at CBP's Office of International Affairs who deals with APEC. Sorry I don't have any contact details to share, but if you poke around online you can find a few names.
Last edited by AsiaFlyer2014; Nov 25, 2014 at 7:41 am
Nov 25, 2014, 5:54 am
#454
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
I can't guarantee that this particular issue will be high on the agenda at the January 2015 Business .... So I think it may be most productive for you to try contacting someone at CBP's Office of International Affairs who deals with APEC. Sorry I don't have any contact details to share, but if you poke around online you can find a few names.
http://www.cbp.gov/about/leadership/...tional-affairs
Nov 25, 2014, 8:12 am
#455
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 112
Perhaps a better approach would be to contact the U.S. National Center for APEC (http://www.ncapec.org/about/index.html ), which is a business association that advocates for the interests of the U.S. business community in APEC policy matters. I know they are paying close attention to the ABTC rollout, and I am sure they know who to talk to at CBP and at APEC. They would probably be interested to hear about any problems that U.S. cardholders are having.
Nov 26, 2014, 7:23 am
#456
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
More direct line here: http://www.apec.org/Groups/Committee...ity-Group.aspx
My email was to both the Assistant Secretary and the Secretariat....
My email was to both the Assistant Secretary and the Secretariat....
Thank you for raising this matter with the office of the Business Mobility Group Convenor. I apologise for the delay in response.
As the US have only commenced issuing cards to domestic applicants since June, some economies may not yet be experienced with seeing blank cards. A reminder has recently been sent to participating economies, including Taiwan, to allow US cardholders access to fast-track lanes at the airport. Hopefully this will alleviate some of the issues that US cardholders have been experiencing.
Kind regards
Stephanie Chu
APEC Business Mobility Group
Border Security Policy
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Telephone: (02) 6264 3478
Email: stephanie.chu@immi dot gov dot au
Last edited by dtsm; Dec 1, 2014 at 8:08 am
Nov 27, 2014, 2:22 am
#458
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 34
Got a formal email response today which reads:
Thank you for raising this matter with the office of the Business Mobility Group Convenor. I apologise for the delay in response.
As the US have only commenced issuing cards to domestic applicants since June, some economies may not yet be experienced with seeing blank cards. A reminder has recently been sent to participating economies, including Taiwan, to allow US cardholders access to fast-track lanes at the airport. Hopefully this will alleviate some of the issues that US cardholders have been experiencing.
Kind regards
Stephanie Chu
APEC Business Mobility Group
Border Security Policy
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Telephone: (02) 6264 3478
Email: stephanie.chu@*********
Thank you for raising this matter with the office of the Business Mobility Group Convenor. I apologise for the delay in response.
As the US have only commenced issuing cards to domestic applicants since June, some economies may not yet be experienced with seeing blank cards. A reminder has recently been sent to participating economies, including Taiwan, to allow US cardholders access to fast-track lanes at the airport. Hopefully this will alleviate some of the issues that US cardholders have been experiencing.
Kind regards
Stephanie Chu
APEC Business Mobility Group
Border Security Policy
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Telephone: (02) 6264 3478
Email: stephanie.chu@*********
Last edited by Theforeigner; Nov 30, 2014 at 9:14 pm Reason: Removes email for Stephanie as per nickp comment
Nov 28, 2014, 7:21 pm
#459
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
I updated my GOES profile to add the card on a Friday, and had conditional approval ~20 minutes later. I dropped into the SFO office for my signature capture the next afternoon, waited ~ 15 minutes and was out 10 minutes later. Probably would have been even quicker, but they were training an additional officer to process the signature capture (you're welcome, everyone visiting the SFO office).
I received my card today, 6 days later (even on a holiday week), so no complaints - much faster than Global Entry.
Greg
Nov 30, 2014, 1:06 pm
#460
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
Programs: AA EXP with lots of BA. UA 2MM Lifetime Plat - No longer chase hotel loyalty
Posts: 6,699
Got a formal email response today which reads:
Thank you for raising this matter with the office of the Business Mobility Group Convenor. I apologise for the delay in response.
As the US have only commenced issuing cards to domestic applicants since June, some economies may not yet be experienced with seeing blank cards. A reminder has recently been sent to participating economies, including Taiwan, to allow US cardholders access to fast-track lanes at the airport. Hopefully this will alleviate some of the issues that US cardholders have been experiencing.
Kind regards
Stephanie Chu
APEC Business Mobility Group
Border Security Policy
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Telephone: (02) 6264 3478
Email: stephanie.chu@immi.*****
Thank you for raising this matter with the office of the Business Mobility Group Convenor. I apologise for the delay in response.
As the US have only commenced issuing cards to domestic applicants since June, some economies may not yet be experienced with seeing blank cards. A reminder has recently been sent to participating economies, including Taiwan, to allow US cardholders access to fast-track lanes at the airport. Hopefully this will alleviate some of the issues that US cardholders have been experiencing.
Kind regards
Stephanie Chu
APEC Business Mobility Group
Border Security Policy
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Telephone: (02) 6264 3478
Email: stephanie.chu@immi.*****
COURTESY REQUEST Suggest DTSM that you mask Stephanie's email address as people do harvest email addresses from FT for SPAM (automated harvesting); others should edit their reposts for the same
Last edited by NickP 1K; Nov 30, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Nov 30, 2014, 9:11 pm
#461
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 34
TPE update
Excellent! Any chance since you have the thread going; can this contact share any documentation they are sending to foreign govts to remind them use is allowed.... just so if we hit a front line employee who knows nothing at least we nudge them to look into this further. Worried that senior folks in govt immigration depts will "shelve this" and do nothing
COURTESY REQUEST Suggest DTSM that you mask Stephanie's email address as people do harvest email addresses from FT for SPAM (automated harvesting); others should edit their reposts for the same
COURTESY REQUEST Suggest DTSM that you mask Stephanie's email address as people do harvest email addresses from FT for SPAM (automated harvesting); others should edit their reposts for the same
HKG - no issue in fact was escorted to front of APEC line as there were some non apec card holders trying to use the line for some reason.
PEK - no issue - in fact leaving terminal two the apec line was closed but showed my card and was immediately led to front of line.
Somehow we need to resolve this TPE issue. I will write to Stephanie as well once I am stateside and to some DHS folks. Doubt it will be much use but if more folks write in this will be great.
Dec 1, 2014, 12:00 am
#462
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 222
Not that to raise a war or seek for a retaliation, but I am of the opinion that we should suggest to our US Homeland Security Immigration Officer to ban these Taiwan APEC ABTC cardholders from using Crew Line or Express Line for a reciprocating treatment, as a measure, in the attempt to come to a quick fix.
Last edited by jerrywu; Dec 2, 2014 at 5:56 pm Reason: correct wording
Dec 1, 2014, 7:56 am
#463
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 34
Not that to raise a war or seek for a retaliation, but I am of the opinion that we should suggest to our US Homeland Security Immigration Officer to ban these Taiwan APEC ABTC cardholder from using Crew Line or Express Line for a reciprocating treatment, in the attempt to come to a quick fix.
Dec 1, 2014, 8:08 am
#464
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
Maybe better suggestion is to cut and print copy of the email I got to show the local officer? I have written back to Ms. Chu asking for a copy of their 'internal reminder' but not holding my breath for getting this, LOL.
Last edited by dtsm; Dec 1, 2014 at 8:16 am
Dec 1, 2014, 8:49 am
#465
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 112
So it seems the notice has been shelved. I just got into TPE - showed apec card and was summarily dismissed and told to go to the other line. Pulled out frequent visitor speedy paper thing and was let through - I asked why they still don't accept it whereas HK; SG; Beijing etc do - Io said she does not know but they are not allowed to accept US APEC cards. Some official documentation will really help - this is really annoying.
HKG - no issue in fact was escorted to front of APEC line as there were some non apec card holders trying to use the line for some reason.
PEK - no issue - in fact leaving terminal two the apec line was closed but showed my card and was immediately led to front of line.
Somehow we need to resolve this TPE issue. I will write to Stephanie as well once I am stateside and to some DHS folks. Doubt it will be much use but if more folks write in this will be great.
HKG - no issue in fact was escorted to front of APEC line as there were some non apec card holders trying to use the line for some reason.
PEK - no issue - in fact leaving terminal two the apec line was closed but showed my card and was immediately led to front of line.
Somehow we need to resolve this TPE issue. I will write to Stephanie as well once I am stateside and to some DHS folks. Doubt it will be much use but if more folks write in this will be great.
Hopefully the TPE issue is just a matter of education and time. Otherwise, it will probably fall to U.S. officials to advance this issue through the APEC Business Mobility Group.