Getting an APEC Business Travel Card

The APEC Business Travel Card scheme was created in response to the need of business people to gain streamlined business visitor entry to the economies of the Asia-Pacific region, in order to explore business opportunities, attend meetings, and conduct trade and investment activities.

The APEC card allows accredited business people to obtain multiple short-term business visitor entry to participating economies. If you are granted an APEC card, you can stay in the country for at least two months on each visit, with some countries allowing three months stay for each visit.

Another advantage for APEC card holders is the access to the special ‘APEC lanes’ at major international airports, fast-tracking the immigration processing on arrival and departure. Since 2006, APEC card holders are also allowed to use the air-crew lanes throughout international airports in the United States.

The APEC card is valid for multiply entries for three years. However, please note that if you obtain a new passport, you must get a new APEC card as these two documents are linked.

There are 20 APEC economies that currently participate in this scheme. They are:

  • Australia
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Chile
  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Republic of Korea
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • People’s Republic of China
  • The Philippines
  • Malaysia
  • Peru
  • Singapore
  • Chinese Taipei
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

Additionally, the United States of America and Canada are currently transitional members of the scheme.

If you are a passport holder of a participating economy, you should apply to the agency responsible for the scheme in your home country. By visiting the Business Mobility Group website, you will be able to access current contact details for relevant APEC Business Travel Card agencies.

To apply, you will need to complete and submit the application for APEC Business Travel Card. You will then have to wait an average of seven weeks to receive a response to your application.

You must apply through the country that issued your passport.

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