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
May 12, 15, 6:35 pm
#661
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Originally Posted by NickP 1K
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.
I just used the APEC lane to exit TPE. I was the first person in line. The officer did check the APEC card against my passport in detail, but again no problem.
May 16, 15, 3:50 pm
#662
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, KF Gold/PPS
Posts: 204
Originally Posted by bocastephen
No, there is no "proof" required - I was only asked if I had any business or work in Asia and an affirmative answer was enough.
May 16, 15, 6:24 pm
#663
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,692
Originally Posted by srs507
Well that was fast - took me all of 5 minutes today. The CBP officer did mention it could take up to 3 (!) months to get my ID card - what's been the general time frame for people receiving their IDs here?
May 16, 15, 7:14 pm
#664
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, KF Gold/PPS
Posts: 204
Originally Posted by Always Flyin
About a week for the four people I know.
May 16, 15, 7:58 pm
#665
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 Always Flyin
About a week for the four people I know.
data point...upon arrival at TPE the inspector looked at the card carefully with a magnifying glass and checked the back a couple of times, but didn't say anything. The diplomat/APEC line can be backed up a little with wheelchair and strollers, but depending on your arrival time, can still save you a considerable amount of waiting time.
she also changed the entry type on my immigration card from tourist (which I am on this trip) to business, but didn't ask what I was planning on doing in TW.
May 17, 15, 1:27 am
#666
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 217
I just flew out of ICN yesterday and had a new experience. When I checked in for my flight, the agent noticed that I had an ABTC card in my passport case. She then took out sort of a small coupon that was an entrance pass to Fast Track, put my info on item, ticked the "reason" box as "other" and gave it to me. I gave that to the officers at the Fast Track entrance, they both looked at it in sort of a puzzled way as if they had never seen one before. No problems, I went straight through without even showing them my ABTC card.
Meanwhile, as is so often the case, the usual security lane queues were horrendous. One business class passenger was shouting at the agents "what? I paid $2000 for this ticket and I don't get Fast Track?"
ICN really do need to do something about outbound security and immigration. For an airport that gets top marks in polls, it gets the bottom 10% from me for departure security and customs queues.
Meanwhile, as is so often the case, the usual security lane queues were horrendous. One business class passenger was shouting at the agents "what? I paid $2000 for this ticket and I don't get Fast Track?"
ICN really do need to do something about outbound security and immigration. For an airport that gets top marks in polls, it gets the bottom 10% from me for departure security and customs queues.
May 18, 15, 12:50 pm
#667
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: nyc
Programs: CO Plat & MP 1K
Posts: 870
China visa question and APEC card for US citizen
OK, so I am a US citizen and I am going to China in about a month and have an APEC card. I understand that I still need a visa as the APEC card is not a visa substitute for US citizens according to previous posts. If I get a tourist visa, can I still use the APEC card to enter the shorter line or do I have to have a business visa?
Last edited by rlbmorton; May 18, 15 at 12:50 pm Reason: typo
May 18, 15, 6:38 pm
#668
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 rlbmorton
OK, so I am a US citizen and I am going to China in about a month and have an APEC card. I understand that I still need a visa as the APEC card is not a visa substitute for US citizens according to previous posts. If I get a tourist visa, can I still use the APEC card to enter the shorter line or do I have to have a business visa?
May 18, 15, 7:00 pm
#669
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: nyc
Programs: CO Plat & MP 1K
Posts: 870
Originally Posted by bocastephen
You *should* be able to use the APEC line with your tourist visa unless the inspector is being a jerk...also keep your arrival time in mind because some of the APEC lines at some Chinese airports may be closed if you arrive in the later evening, negating the benefit.
May 18, 15, 7:33 pm
#670
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 585
Originally Posted by tookay
ICN really do need to do something about outbound security and immigration. For an airport that gets top marks in polls, it gets the bottom 10% from me for departure security and customs queues.
ICN is great for transit but I hate going through departure security because of the long lines.
May 18, 15, 11:01 pm
#671
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,692
Originally Posted by rlbmorton
OK, so I am a US citizen and I am going to China in about a month and have an APEC card. I understand that I still need a visa as the APEC card is not a visa substitute for US citizens according to previous posts. If I get a tourist visa, can I still use the APEC card to enter the shorter line or do I have to have a business visa?
Originally Posted by bocastephen
You *should* be able to use the APEC line with your tourist visa unless the inspector is being a jerk...also keep your arrival time in mind because some of the APEC lines at some Chinese airports may be closed if you arrive in the later evening, negating the benefit.
ABTC is for business purposes. If one is entering for tourism, they are not entering for business purposes and ABTC should be rejected.
Doesn't mean that it won't work, just that it shouldn't.
May 19, 15, 1:20 am
#672
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 Always Flyin
Actually, you should not be able to use ABTC when entering on a tourist visa.
ABTC is for business purposes. If one is entering for tourism, they are not entering for business purposes and ABTC should be rejected.
Doesn't mean that it won't work, just that it shouldn't.
ABTC is for business purposes. If one is entering for tourism, they are not entering for business purposes and ABTC should be rejected.
Doesn't mean that it won't work, just that it shouldn't.
Should not be different than Nexus/GE - you state a reason for the application during the interview, but that reason is not tied to the use of your membership when using the program.
May 19, 15, 1:34 am
#673
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SNA, LAX
Programs: TK Elite+(*G), UA*S, IHG Plat, Avis First
Posts: 43
Originally Posted by bocastephen
There is nothing in the membership documentation that states you can only use the card when entering or leaving on business - but the reason for applying for and receiving the card is due to frequent business related travel in the region.
Should not be different than Nexus/GE - you state a reason for the application during the interview, but that reason is not tied to the use of your membership when using the program.
Should not be different than Nexus/GE - you state a reason for the application during the interview, but that reason is not tied to the use of your membership when using the program.
Q:
Can I use my U.S. APEC Business Travel Card for personal travel, such as vacation?
A:
No. The APEC Business Travel Card is for members who travel frequently on short-term visits within the APEC region to fulfill business commitments. To use the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card, you must be traveling solely for business purposes to the foreign APEC economy.
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-tr...ked-questions2
But in reality, I don't think most immigration queues enforce this strictly, but technically they could according to the rules.
May 19, 15, 4:17 am
#674
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 34
Originally Posted by Always Flyin
Actually, you should not be able to use ABTC when entering on a tourist visa.
ABTC is for business purposes. If one is entering for tourism, they are not entering for business purposes and ABTC should be rejected.
Doesn't mean that it won't work, just that it shouldn't.
ABTC is for business purposes. If one is entering for tourism, they are not entering for business purposes and ABTC should be rejected.
Doesn't mean that it won't work, just that it shouldn't.
May 21, 15, 1:33 pm
#675
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: nyc
Programs: CO Plat & MP 1K
Posts: 870
Originally Posted by pinoymutt
Actually according to CBP's official site that isn't quite true:
Q:
Can I use my U.S. APEC Business Travel Card for personal travel, such as vacation?
A:
No. The APEC Business Travel Card is for members who travel frequently on short-term visits within the APEC region to fulfill business commitments. To use the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card, you must be traveling solely for business purposes to the foreign APEC economy.
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-tr...ked-questions2
But in reality, I don't think most immigration queues enforce this strictly, but technically they could according to the rules.
Q:
Can I use my U.S. APEC Business Travel Card for personal travel, such as vacation?
A:
No. The APEC Business Travel Card is for members who travel frequently on short-term visits within the APEC region to fulfill business commitments. To use the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card, you must be traveling solely for business purposes to the foreign APEC economy.
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-tr...ked-questions2
But in reality, I don't think most immigration queues enforce this strictly, but technically they could according to the rules.
