Using APEC/ABTC (APEC Business Travel Card) for Travel
Just SGD 100 Will Save You Visa Queues With the APEC Business Travel Card.
One of the most frequent problems in traveling between countries today is obtaining visas or electronic permits (ETA). Those who stood in long lines, of course, are familiar with this firsthand.
But there is a loophole that allows you to bypass some bureaucratic procedures and significantly save time. Moreover, it is relatively inexpensive, since the APEC Business Travel Card is issued for a period of five years and removes visa restrictions from a number of states that are members of the global APEC organization. And its cost, as is already clear from the headline, is 100 Singapore dollars.
What is ABTC?
At its core, ABTC is a scheme that facilitates movement between countries that are members of APEC on a permanent basis. Temporary participating countries require visas.
APEC on an ongoing basis. Temporary participating countries require visas.
The main bonuses that cardholders receive are accelerated customs clearance through special lanes at airports and, most importantly, the possibility of a short-term visit without obtaining a visa, but with prior approval from APEC.
Fast Boarding
As noted earlier, ABTC card holders have priority when landing at airports, in some situations this is a little taken into account advantage, which can sometimes be a real salvation. In addition, for those traveling in first or business class, most airports do not have an immigration queue, and in some countries they even give a fast security lane, such as Thailand.
Is It Possible to Take a Companion on ABTC?
It is worth noting right away that in each case this may be different. It mainly depends on the country you plan to visit. For example, in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, you can easily take a companion with you, but in Japan you will be required to have a companion card. At the same time, you should not forget about prudence, and let’s say one colleague, and not the whole family, should be brought with you.
Entry Without Visa/ETA
Having an ABTC card gives an advantage to holders not to issue visas to APEC countries for a maximum stay of 90 days. Of course, temporary APEC members such as the US and Canada have limitations.
But for travel, say South Korea, APEC Business Travel Card holders are exempt from applying for a K-ETA, for New Zealand, they are exempt from applying for an NZeTA.
Travel to the USA and Canada
It is worth noting the limitation for these two countries. As a matter of fact, everyone is still required to apply for an eTA (7 Canadian dollars) or an ESTA (21 US dollars) in general, and in some cases a visa application must be submitted.
Important!!!
The ABTC card is not intended for tourism or leisure purposes. Also, according to the card, athletes, correspondents, artists, painters and other similar professions cannot carry out professional activities.
While ABTC is not intended for non-commercial use, other participants in the project have experienced frequent use of this benefit for recreation or entertainment. It is necessary, however, to notify before entering, honestly inform the migration officer the real purpose of the visit.
Who Can Get ABTC?
In order to successfully obtain an APEC card from Singapore, you must have a clean criminal record and meet one of the following criteria:
- A bona fide taxpayer representing an active firm or company (can be interpreted in different ways);
- A trade union representative (for example a doctor, lawyer or accountant);
- A civil servant representing a ministry, government department, economic agency, or legislature traveling in an official capacity.
Moreover, there are no requirements for the minimum and maximum number of trips, as well as for the minimum composition of the enterprise. Thus, if you are a business traveler, you are eligible to apply for ABTC.
And this was not without complications, but the difficulty is that if you yourself are a director of your company (and cannot provide confirmation of this to ACRA), then you do not have the right to sign this own letter. The letter of application must be on the letterhead of the enterprise or certified by the seal. as well as certified by the signature of the founder or the head of the personnel department.
