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
Apr 9, 2016, 2:12 am
#917
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAX/SNA/ONT
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, MarcoPolo Silver, Virgin Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1
Tried using my US APEC in PEK about two weeks ago. The APEC table was to the right of the regular visa lines in T3. The agent at the desk took my card looked at the back (which has no endorsements) and said it was invalid for entry. 
Tried to explain the China Embassy website only says a valid card with correct photo and biometrics were needed and equal to a 3yr Visa. Agent then talked to another, but restated no visa - no entry.
Fortunately I qualified for a 72-hr transit visa, so I mentioned that and they sent me to the line for transit visas, no problems with that (besides the long line). Had no problem with APEC in HND after that. ^
I've used my card in several Asian countries with no issues, this is the first issue. I'll be using it for the first time in LIM this weekend, but don't expect any problems.
For my next China visit, I'll get a 10yr tourist Visa and try using it with the APEC.
Tried to explain the China Embassy website only says a valid card with correct photo and biometrics were needed and equal to a 3yr Visa. Agent then talked to another, but restated no visa - no entry.
Fortunately I qualified for a 72-hr transit visa, so I mentioned that and they sent me to the line for transit visas, no problems with that (besides the long line). Had no problem with APEC in HND after that. ^
I've used my card in several Asian countries with no issues, this is the first issue. I'll be using it for the first time in LIM this weekend, but don't expect any problems.
For my next China visit, I'll get a 10yr tourist Visa and try using it with the APEC.
Apr 9, 2016, 6:12 am
#918
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
A US/Canadian ABTC can only be used to access the APEC/Crew/Diplomat lane. It does not replace/waive any visa requirements.
This has been discussed numerous times even before the very first US/Canadian ABTC was issued.
You were lucky you qualified for the transit visa. Otherwise you would have been declared inadmissible.
This has been discussed numerous times even before the very first US/Canadian ABTC was issued.
You were lucky you qualified for the transit visa. Otherwise you would have been declared inadmissible.
Apr 9, 2016, 7:34 am
#919
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1K / HH Diamond
Posts: 239
Here are the results in PEK and PVG using APEC cards:
PEK: Entry / Exit use the line marked with D/P. Post exit immigration, show your APEC to a security person and you will be brought to the front of the security lines without queuing.
PVG: Using Special lines for both entry and exit. The lines are usually tapped off. Just waving your card and someone will come to open it for you.
PEK: Entry / Exit use the line marked with D/P. Post exit immigration, show your APEC to a security person and you will be brought to the front of the security lines without queuing.
PVG: Using Special lines for both entry and exit. The lines are usually tapped off. Just waving your card and someone will come to open it for you.
Apr 11, 2016, 7:29 am
#921
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
It's hit and miss. I was able to use it last July inbound/outbound at PVG....
Apr 13, 2016, 8:39 pm
#922
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 217
Just used my ABTC at DPS, going through the diplomatic/ABTC queue off to the left of the immigration hall. Presented the immigration, he flipped it over (and saw nothing there of course) and said "just a minute". He left and went to an office, I suppose to speak with his supervisor. After about five minutes, he returned and said they did not understand why there were no countries listed on the back, but OK, he would stamp me in and I received the usual 30 day visa exempt stamp.
No queue at all at the normal positions. It would have been faster for me to just use one of those, but I wanted to see what would happen at the ABTC queue.
No queue at all at the normal positions. It would have been faster for me to just use one of those, but I wanted to see what would happen at the ABTC queue.
Apr 18, 2016, 7:27 pm
#924
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
Seriously in current political environment both international and domestic, US will not be willing become full members and forced to provide visa free access to other APEC members solely on the basis of the other country’s ABTC eligibility requirements especially from those countries with higher levels of corruption.
Apr 19, 2016, 6:29 am
#925
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
When pigs fly.
Seriously in current political environment both international and domestic, US will not be willing become full members and forced to provide visa free access to other APEC members solely on the basis of the other country’s ABTC eligibility requirements especially from those countries with higher levels of corruption.
Seriously in current political environment both international and domestic, US will not be willing become full members and forced to provide visa free access to other APEC members solely on the basis of the other country’s ABTC eligibility requirements especially from those countries with higher levels of corruption.
Apr 20, 2016, 7:25 pm
#926
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 40
"I'll be using it for the first time in LIM this weekend, but don't expect any problems."
How did it go for you Lima with your APEC card? Any issues? Thanks!
How did it go for you Lima with your APEC card? Any issues? Thanks!
Last edited by Nexpoman; Apr 20, 2016 at 7:26 pm Reason: included original statement
Apr 22, 2016, 12:24 pm
#928
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: 42,205
Apr 25, 2016, 8:06 am
#929
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1
I've been in and out of PEN and HKT 5 times over the past 6 month. I have a business visa for Thailand. Have used the ABTC card each time with success, into PEN as well. 90 days visas on arrival in both places, though fully expected in Thailand because of my business visa..
While departing HKT today via the APEC line the immigration officer brought my attention to the fact that the back of my ABTC card is not endorsed for any countries, but graciously chopped me out. I again received a 90 day chop on my arrival in PEN via the APEC line, without a Malaysia business visa.
While departing HKT today via the APEC line the immigration officer brought my attention to the fact that the back of my ABTC card is not endorsed for any countries, but graciously chopped me out. I again received a 90 day chop on my arrival in PEN via the APEC line, without a Malaysia business visa.
Apr 25, 2016, 9:45 am
#930
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,644