Jun 23, 14, 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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 13, 14, 2:55 pm
#46
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,732
Jun 13, 14, 3:00 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ Business: ATL, PVG, PEK, CAN, SZX, MNL, SIN, KUL, BKK, SGN, CPT, UIO
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,524
Jun 13, 14, 3:23 pm
#48
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,247
If you were applying for HK ABTC and really didn't have any legitimate business and wanted the card for the sake of having the card, you would have to questionably obtain/create proof which is a "bit more" than US CBP allowing self certification on GOES.
Jun 14, 14, 12:50 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,920
I just looked at the fine print and it says that this card is for BUSINESS travelers only. In other words, you are not eligible for this card unless you are substantially involved in trade, movement of merchandise, etc., among APEC countries. You are not allowed to use the APEC card for expedited entry to the APEC countries when traveling for any reason EXCEPT short-term business-related visits.
(Just wanted everyone to know before you drop $70. This program is different from GlobalEntry/NEXUS/etc.)
(Just wanted everyone to know before you drop $70. This program is different from GlobalEntry/NEXUS/etc.)
Jun 15, 14, 1:23 pm
#50
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: 6,676
I am primarily business/trade anyway so no issues for me
Paid the $70 yesterday and did the application and got near immediate accept from GOES; it WILL ask you to schedule an appointment but it seems based on wording you can also go in earlier (CBP employee load pending) and do it as "walk in" as long as you have active Global Entry. They need to get a digital signature and notify you of T&C's
Will advise if I get a chance to go to LAX this week and complete
Paid the $70 yesterday and did the application and got near immediate accept from GOES; it WILL ask you to schedule an appointment but it seems based on wording you can also go in earlier (CBP employee load pending) and do it as "walk in" as long as you have active Global Entry. They need to get a digital signature and notify you of T&C's
Will advise if I get a chance to go to LAX this week and complete
Jun 15, 14, 1:26 pm
#51
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SMF
Programs: BR *G, Hertz President Circle, Hilton Silver
Posts: 27
I'm considering this as further evidence that it is the Canadian citizenship that is hiding the button for for mikef11. Wouldn't be surprise if/when CBSA announces application process open for ABTC, the button would appear. I'm speculating when programming the website for ABTC, CBP forgot about US/Canadian dual citizens and does not have code in place to handle these individuals in allowing them to specify whether they are applying for US or Canadian ABTC.
Thanks for reporting it in...
CBP....facepalm
Thanks for reporting it in...
CBP....facepalm
Jun 15, 14, 2:28 pm
#52
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 34
Offices not accepting signatures just yet
Got conditional approval for APEC card - went to sfo office location today and they said they were not set up to take signatures or process APEC card yet..said I should call the office end of June to check and most likely will have to make appointment as they awe really busy
Is any office accepting signatures at the moment?
Is any office accepting signatures at the moment?
Jun 15, 14, 4:46 pm
#54
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: 6,676
Got conditional approval for APEC card - went to sfo office location today and they said they were not set up to take signatures or process APEC card yet..said I should call the office end of June to check and most likely will have to make appointment as they awe really busy
Is any office accepting signatures at the moment?
Is any office accepting signatures at the moment?
Shame the invite letter didn't state "please wait till June XX" to book as local offices may not have process in place to assist.
Jun 15, 14, 11:35 pm
#57
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,094
I look foward to setting up an interview, but I would hope someone can give feedback that's it's possible. I don't want to fly to US to get the card only to find they're not setup yet.
Recently I have found the immigration lines in Asia is absolutely terrible, so this card would definitely expedite things.
Recently I have found the immigration lines in Asia is absolutely terrible, so this card would definitely expedite things.
Jun 16, 14, 9:12 am
#58
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: 6,676
Only way to apply is through GOES (looks like you need to be a Global Entry or Nexus or Sentri Member first): https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/goes
The US is solely responsible for processing and completing your application and generating your ABTC card.
If you have citizenship from another country that is an APEC member then you can apply via them: http://travel.apec.org/apply.html
NOTE: APEC members are applying reciprocal entries. So example, since China ABTC members cannot get visa free to the US (but can use expedited crew lanes in the US), China does NOT allow visa free travel for US ABTC members. You still need a proper China visa but you can use the ABTC lane in Chinese airports.
Jun 16, 14, 9:37 am
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,488
NOTE: APEC members are applying reciprocal entries. So example, since China ABTC members cannot get visa free to the US (but can use expedited crew lanes in the US), China does NOT allow visa free travel for US ABTC members. You still need a proper China visa but you can use the ABTC lane in Chinese airports.
Jun 16, 14, 9:42 am
#60
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: 6,676
http://losangeles.china-consulate.or...sa/t907679.htm
4. Holders of Valid APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card is a substitute of a multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years.A card holder who presents a valid passport of the same person at the same time can enter China multiple times during the validity of the card for a stay of no more than 2 months each time.
The APEC Business Travel Card is a substitute of a multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years.A card holder who presents a valid passport of the same person at the same time can enter China multiple times during the validity of the card for a stay of no more than 2 months each time.
Main reason for me is shorter line control in PVG, PEK and also NRT - I would live visa free to China but can live without it as I generally get 12-24 month multi entry each application time
