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 ABTC/APEC Business Travel Card: Updates, Experiences, Q&A
Mar 25, 2015, 12:42 pm
#601
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP 2.0MM
Posts: 73
Mixed Results
Entered at SIN March 16 and the IO at the APEC lane would not recognize the card because no countries listed on back. Still let me pass through normally after showing me the card of another pax with the countries listed. Used the card at MNL March 18 without problems - the IO didn't look at the back of the card.
Mar 26, 2015, 11:35 pm
#602
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Newport Beach / San Francisco / Seattle
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Amex Centurion, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 289
I applied for APEC a couple nights ago on the GOES site and was initial approved within minutes. The earliest appointment I was able to find was at LAX on a Friday night in a couple months but per the suggestions in this thread, I decided to try my luck as a walk-in at SFO today during the afternoon. The US CBP officer I approached asked twice if I had an appointment and both times I responded "no" while mentioning that I already had Global Entry and was there for a walk-in for APEC. I was thrilled when he started tapping away on the computer and had me sign on the signature pad - all this in ~15 minutes.
Question: how long before your status on the GOES site changed after your in-person interview? Upon leaving, the officer told me that I should receive my card "in a week or two" and reminded me that friends/family could not use the APEC line with me. My online status still shows as "Initial Enrollment / Interview Scheduled"
Thanks!
Question: how long before your status on the GOES site changed after your in-person interview? Upon leaving, the officer told me that I should receive my card "in a week or two" and reminded me that friends/family could not use the APEC line with me. My online status still shows as "Initial Enrollment / Interview Scheduled"
Thanks!
Mar 27, 2015, 2:32 am
#603
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Places
Programs: CI Paragon, AF Gold, Bonvoy Ambassador Elite, Shangri-La Jade
Posts: 170
Mar 27, 2015, 9:57 am
#604
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 applied for APEC a couple nights ago on the GOES site and was initial approved within minutes. The earliest appointment I was able to find was at LAX on a Friday night in a couple months but per the suggestions in this thread, I decided to try my luck as a walk-in at SFO today during the afternoon. The US CBP officer I approached asked twice if I had an appointment and both times I responded "no" while mentioning that I already had Global Entry and was there for a walk-in for APEC. I was thrilled when he started tapping away on the computer and had me sign on the signature pad - all this in ~15 minutes.
Ummmmm . . . did you actually read the pre-approval letter?
ABTC processing for pre-existing Global Entry members without an appointment is not a favor, it is expressly provided for in the letter.
Mar 27, 2015, 5:05 pm
#605
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Newport Beach / San Francisco / Seattle
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Amex Centurion, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 289
Yes, I read the letter ^ I suppose that if US CBP had turned me away despite what the letter said, it would've been the only time in the history of government employees that they didn't do the "right" thing and made a mistake, right?
Mar 27, 2015, 8:39 pm
#606
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
Climb down off the high horse.
So they did you a favor by doing what they were obligated to do, which is how your post was worded ("I decided to try my luck as a walk-in")?
For those who read here, they may very well be left with the impression that they are not entitled to signature capture without an appointment. And that is not how it is.
So they did you a favor by doing what they were obligated to do, which is how your post was worded ("I decided to try my luck as a walk-in")?
For those who read here, they may very well be left with the impression that they are not entitled to signature capture without an appointment. And that is not how it is.
Mar 28, 2015, 1:44 am
#607
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Newport Beach / San Francisco / Seattle
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Amex Centurion, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 289
Climb down off the high horse.
So they did you a favor by doing what they were obligated to do, which is how your post was worded ("I decided to try my luck as a walk-in")?
For those who read here, they may very well be left with the impression that they are not entitled to signature capture without an appointment. And that is not how it is.
So they did you a favor by doing what they were obligated to do, which is how your post was worded ("I decided to try my luck as a walk-in")?
For those who read here, they may very well be left with the impression that they are not entitled to signature capture without an appointment. And that is not how it is.
Chill out.I said "try my luck" because walk-ins ARE based on the availability of a US CBP officer being free between appointments to do your signature capture. the GOES site showed SFO as solidly booked through May.
Last edited by immaculate; Mar 28, 2015 at 7:03 am Reason: edit to add clarification on "try my luck"
Mar 28, 2015, 11:03 am
#608
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
You may log into the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) at www.cbp.gov to schedule an interview to finalize your enrollment; or finalize your enrollment on a walk-in basis. If you choose to finalize your enrollment as a walk-in, be aware that scheduled appointments have priority and you will be seen at the first available opportunity.
Mar 28, 2015, 12:24 pm
#609
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
Mar 29, 2015, 9:25 pm
#610
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: TPE, SZX, HKG, SAN
Programs: CI: Emer; CX: Sliver; DL: PM; PC: RA;
Posts: 272
now we can use US APEC card in Taiwan APEC lane, it is done. I believe several Taiwanese American ask Taiwan congressman to push both Domestic affair and Foreign affair officers to explain why and to resolve this issue.
Mar 29, 2015, 9:27 pm
#611
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: TPE, SZX, HKG, SAN
Programs: CI: Emer; CX: Sliver; DL: PM; PC: RA;
Posts: 272
Mar 29, 2015, 10:09 pm
#612
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,171
Great news, thank you - not sure why they made it so difficult
Mar 31, 2015, 12:07 pm
#613
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: free agent
Posts: 330
Theoretically yes, but you would be guessing which terminal has shorter immigration queues and you would be mispositioned for picking up any checked luggage.
I would prefer that Singapore just implement APEC entry properly, i.e., a dedicated queue or at least one that is not shared by as many people are in the regular queues.
I would prefer that Singapore just implement APEC entry properly, i.e., a dedicated queue or at least one that is not shared by as many people are in the regular queues.
Apr 4, 2015, 4:54 pm
#614
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3
How do I use APEC?
I'm traveling to several Asian countries for the next 6 months and I have the APEC business card. Do I enter a number somewhere in my airline ticket information or do I just present the card at customs? I read "pre-clearance" on a few websites and assumed that meant I needed to input the card number beforehand.