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 - success
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 - success
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
Apr 27, 15, 7:16 pm
#646
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,618
Originally Posted by Cyllabus
Originally Posted by seawolf
Does not apply to any ABTC without CHN endorsement on the back which is 100% of US/Canada issued ABTC.
Ok, today I spent 2 hours in wind and cold in line outside the NYC Chinese consulate. Jeez, what a system!
Anyway, I showed the visa person my APEC card and the website printout. After some palaver with her boss, they both agreed the card "was my visa" and I do not need anything else.
Wish they'd run interference at customs in Shanghai next month!
And interesting point made about airline agents. How can we check this out???
Meantime, I'll get a 10 year visa just in case. But I'll try to use the APEC first.
Best--
--Cyllabus
Apr 27, 15, 7:32 pm
#647
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,160
Originally Posted by Cyllabus
Hi Folks--
Ok, today I spent 2 hours in wind and cold in line outside the NYC Chinese consulate. Jeez, what a system!
Anyway, I showed the visa person my APEC card and the website printout. After some palaver with her boss, they both agreed the card "was my visa" and I do not need anything else.
Wish they'd run interference at customs in Shanghai next month!
And interesting point made about airline agents. How can we check this out???
Meantime, I'll get a 10 year visa just in case. But I'll try to use the APEC first.
Best--
--Cyllabus
Ok, today I spent 2 hours in wind and cold in line outside the NYC Chinese consulate. Jeez, what a system!
Anyway, I showed the visa person my APEC card and the website printout. After some palaver with her boss, they both agreed the card "was my visa" and I do not need anything else.
Wish they'd run interference at customs in Shanghai next month!
And interesting point made about airline agents. How can we check this out???
Meantime, I'll get a 10 year visa just in case. But I'll try to use the APEC first.
Best--
--Cyllabus
Apr 27, 15, 9:03 pm
#648
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 39,907
Originally Posted by Cyllabus
Hi Folks--
Ok, today I spent 2 hours in wind and cold in line outside the NYC Chinese consulate. Jeez, what a system!
Anyway, I showed the visa person my APEC card and the website printout. After some palaver with her boss, they both agreed the card "was my visa" and I do not need anything else.
Wish they'd run interference at customs in Shanghai next month!
And interesting point made about airline agents. How can we check this out???
Meantime, I'll get a 10 year visa just in case. But I'll try to use the APEC first.
Best--
--Cyllabus
Ok, today I spent 2 hours in wind and cold in line outside the NYC Chinese consulate. Jeez, what a system!
Anyway, I showed the visa person my APEC card and the website printout. After some palaver with her boss, they both agreed the card "was my visa" and I do not need anything else.
Wish they'd run interference at customs in Shanghai next month!
And interesting point made about airline agents. How can we check this out???
Meantime, I'll get a 10 year visa just in case. But I'll try to use the APEC first.
Best--
--Cyllabus
This is a very serious situation and not to be screwed with - get your visa.
Apr 27, 15, 11:28 pm
#649
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 221
Originally Posted by bocastephen
Not only have you wasted 2hrs, you will not be boarding your flight to China next month. Even if you brought a printout of the rule to the airport and somehow convince an idiotic agent to check you in and board you, upon arrival in Shanghai, you will be detained and deported back to your point of last embarkation.
This is a very serious situation and not to be screwed with - get your visa.
This is a very serious situation and not to be screwed with - get your visa.
Apr 27, 15, 11:42 pm
#650
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,049
Originally Posted by jerrywu
Thought Cyllabusindicate to apply for a 10-year visa....just in case ...
Apr 28, 15, 12:09 am
#651
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 39,907
Originally Posted by jerrywu
Thought Cyllabusindicate to apply for a 10-year visa....just in case ...
Apr 28, 15, 11:41 am
#652
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Oakland, CA USA
Programs: UA MM, Avis CHM
Posts: 117
Family members?
I just went through the APEC line (as a solo traveler) at NRT exit immigration and noticed this signage:
"ABTC holders: Immediate family members only"
So I asked: It's my first time using this card here, but it's OK to bring my family through this way for future travel?
And was told "Yes, you can."
Seems like the sign was put up to prevent colleagues (and lovers?) from tailgating, but I was pleasantly surprised to see family members permitted, since the program was predicated on business visas.
Is this a NRT/Japan-only thing, or do other airports permit family passage as well?
"ABTC holders: Immediate family members only"
So I asked: It's my first time using this card here, but it's OK to bring my family through this way for future travel?
And was told "Yes, you can."
Seems like the sign was put up to prevent colleagues (and lovers?) from tailgating, but I was pleasantly surprised to see family members permitted, since the program was predicated on business visas.
Is this a NRT/Japan-only thing, or do other airports permit family passage as well?
Apr 28, 15, 6:15 pm
#653
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SNA, LAX
Programs: TK Elite+(*G), UA*S, IHG Plat, Avis First
Posts: 43
Originally Posted by bocastephen
Not only have you wasted 2hrs, you will not be boarding your flight to China next month. Even if you brought a printout of the rule to the airport and somehow convince an idiotic agent to check you in and board you, upon arrival in Shanghai, you will be detained and deported back to your point of last embarkation.
This is a very serious situation and not to be screwed with - get your visa.
This is a very serious situation and not to be screwed with - get your visa.
A visit to CBP's website would have answered your question:
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-tr...ked-questions2
Traveling with the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card
Q:
Can the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card be used in lieu of a visa in a foreign APEC member economy?
A:
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.
Last edited by pinoymutt; Apr 28, 15 at 6:26 pm
May 1, 15, 12:56 pm
#655
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: 6,665
I use the apec card just to get in the line. After that use Visa and Passport have the APEC card visible but don't hand to the immigration officer. Never once been stopped (except Taiwan but with speedy immigration letter no their either) This has prevented confusion entirely and no issues ever.
May 4, 15, 2:28 am
#656
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,094
You can't use the APEC card issued by the US to enter China. Just not possible since there is no mechanism to apply for the necessary preclearance in the US. You must get a visa.
That said, the card is very handy since the "special" line is usually much shorter.
As for NRT, I was told I cannot take family with me through the lane. In fact, they wouldn't even let me use the lane because the passport number on my card didn't match the passport I was trying to use to enter the country (even though we get visa waiver anyways).
That said, the card is very handy since the "special" line is usually much shorter.
As for NRT, I was told I cannot take family with me through the lane. In fact, they wouldn't even let me use the lane because the passport number on my card didn't match the passport I was trying to use to enter the country (even though we get visa waiver anyways).
May 9, 15, 2:24 pm
#657
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, KF Gold/PPS
Posts: 204
I called the EWR center about doing a walk in (my appointment is next week but I was free this afternoon), and they said I needed to bring proof of business in Asia. I don't have an official letter of employment in Asia just yet, have any of you been asked to provide any proof like that?
May 9, 15, 2:41 pm
#658
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 39,907
Originally Posted by srs507
I called the EWR center about doing a walk in (my appointment is next week but I was free this afternoon), and they said I needed to bring proof of business in Asia. I don't have an official letter of employment in Asia just yet, have any of you been asked to provide any proof like that?
May 11, 15, 4:16 pm
#659
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svcs, AA ExecPlat, WN RR, AZ(RIP) Freccia Alata+, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez
Posts: 3,385
At Inchon last night, I used to the card for the diplomatic/abtc lane and it worked fine. I flew in on United 79 from Tokyo and the lines for the passport lanes were massive. It took my colleague an hour to get through. The agent that processed me did not speak one word to me. He took the card along with my passport but never turned it over.
May 12, 15, 1:55 am
#660
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,094
I noticed there is a change now in the ABTC process. I was asked if I had anybody accompanying me. I asked before if my friend could go in the line with me but told it's for cardholders only. Now it seems we can bring "guests?"
