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Posted

Does anyone have one of these ? How long did it take to get pre-clearance for Thailand ?

I've been waiting 2 months, and Thailand is the only country to have not given pre-clearnace yet, even though it's the country I travel to most often !

I applied in Hong Kong - I'm British with HK permanent residency.

Do you know if they ask for proof of reasons for travelling to Thailand on business ?

Posted (edited)

Some countries or your home country might need to see proof of (business plans or contacts, etx.) before being allowed to travel to their country or get the card, so it can take a long time to get, several weeks to afew months I read from Australias Website (different countries might process faster)

Also, since you can travel to many countries on the card, if one country denies you, im not sure how that will affect the card. If you have been spending a lot of time in Thailand on tourist visas or visa exempt stamps, maybe getting approval from Thailand is holding up your application, maybe they might feel you are only intending to use the card to live here, not for business like the card is intended for.

Have you sepnt alot of time here lately?

Edited by aussiestyle1983
Posted

Yes, I have. My wife is Thai. Recently I had a single entry non-O visa. I'm fed up of getting new visa's and/or re-entry permits. I used to come with the visa exemption stating "business visit" on the arrival card but I can't do that now because of the 90/180 day rule. It was through business that I met my wife - my company in Hong Kong does business with her cousin's company in Thailand. I gave proof of this - contracts, invoices etc - for a total of 7 Thai company's when I applied for the card, but they (HK Immigration) told me they could not accept any supporting documentation with the application, if it was requested by any of the participating economies they would ask for it later . Now it's 10 weeks later and they just say they are still waiting for pre-clearance from Thailand.

I would have thought that having heaps of stamps in my passport for Thailand would be evidence in itself that I have a reason to visit. I also have heaps for Japan and other countries but it didn't prevent them pre-clearing me. That the reason is for business purposes is evidenced by the supporting letter from my company. That I have a Thai wife means that I could get a non-O visa if I wanted to (and I have in the past) but I don't see anything in any rule about the ABTC Scheme or in Thai immigration law that prevents pre-clearance of a business traveller due to having a Thai wife. On many occasions my wife has been in HK when I have visited Thailand on business.

They can hardly claim that my reason for visiting Thailand is primarily to visit my wife and not for business, and if they want proof I can give it to them. But they don't even ask !

I just don't see why it should be a problem.

Posted

It is good to know that Thailand is accepting it's responsibilities in the region,

and encouraging the business traveller. :o

Posted

I have one, although I dont use it for entering thailand as I have Non-B + WP (just use it for the fast track immigration at the airport)

Thai clearance took about 4 months I think.Brunei took the longest.

APEC cards are for business travellers, not personal travellers.The jurisdcition in which you apply should vet that you are indeed a bona fide business traveller.

In my case, my card application was supported by a large company that conducts alot of business in the APEC region.

Posted

4 months ? What the $#%$ do they do for 4 months ?

According to HK immi, the only one remaining is Thai.

I know that APEC cards are for business travellers - did you read my post properly ? Or maybe I wasn't clear.

Anyway, if it's normal to take 4 months, I'll just have to wait.

I'll be pretty upset if it's refused. I'll bet there is no appeal mechanism

Posted
4 months ? What the $#%$ do they do for 4 months ?

According to HK immi, the only one remaining is Thai.

I know that APEC cards are for business travellers - did you read my post properly ? Or maybe I wasn't clear.

Anyway, if it's normal to take 4 months, I'll just have to wait.

I'll be pretty upset if it's refused. I'll bet there is no appeal mechanism

Sorry I dont know why it takes so long.Maybe something to do with the interim junta government.

Do you know if they ask for proof of reasons for travelling to Thailand on business ?

Yes I did read your original post, relevant part quoted above, and in my reply I made the point that the jurisdiction you apply in(HK) vets whether or not you meet the business travel requirements, not the countrys you need clearance from ie: I have clearances from countrys I have never even been to, let alone done business in.

Posted
4 months ? What the $#%$ do they do for 4 months ?

According to HK immi, the only one remaining is Thai.

I know that APEC cards are for business travellers - did you read my post properly ? Or maybe I wasn't clear.

Anyway, if it's normal to take 4 months, I'll just have to wait.

I'll be pretty upset if it's refused. I'll bet there is no appeal mechanism

The people in my office who have applied have waited the longest for China - AFAIK Thailand was pretty quick for them.

As an aside if I get PR in Singapore can i apply for one - I am British so I thought I could not?

Posted
4 months ? What the $#%$ do they do for 4 months ?

According to HK immi, the only one remaining is Thai.

I know that APEC cards are for business travellers - did you read my post properly ? Or maybe I wasn't clear.

Anyway, if it's normal to take 4 months, I'll just have to wait.

I'll be pretty upset if it's refused. I'll bet there is no appeal mechanism

The people in my office who have applied have waited the longest for China - AFAIK Thailand was pretty quick for them.

As an aside if I get PR in Singapore can i apply for one - I am British so I thought I could not?

No.

You have to be a citizen of one of the 17 participating economies.The 1 exception being that HK Permanent residents can apply in HK.

Posted
4 months ? What the $#%$ do they do for 4 months ?

According to HK immi, the only one remaining is Thai.

I know that APEC cards are for business travellers - did you read my post properly ? Or maybe I wasn't clear.

Anyway, if it's normal to take 4 months, I'll just have to wait.

I'll be pretty upset if it's refused. I'll bet there is no appeal mechanism

The people in my office who have applied have waited the longest for China - AFAIK Thailand was pretty quick for them.

As an aside if I get PR in Singapore can i apply for one - I am British so I thought I could not?

No.

You have to be a citizen of one of the 17 participating economies.The 1 exception being that HK Permanent residents can apply in HK.

Thanks - I did not know about HK but its as I expected that even with PR I could not get one.

Posted
Yes I did read your original post, relevant part quoted above, and in my reply I made the point that the jurisdiction you apply in(HK) vets whether or not you meet the business travel requirements, not the countrys you need clearance from ie: I have clearances from countrys I have never even been to, let alone done business in.

Thanks for the info.

So does that mean that once the application is approved by the applicant's home immigration service (ie HK in my case), it is just a matter of formality (ie time) to get the pre-clearance approvals from each country ?

I received a letter from HK immi saying "I am pleased to inform you that your application for ABTC is approved and the pre-clearance requests have been sent to the other participating economies of the ABTC scheme."

Posted
Yes I did read your original post, relevant part quoted above, and in my reply I made the point that the jurisdiction you apply in(HK) vets whether or not you meet the business travel requirements, not the countrys you need clearance from ie: I have clearances from countrys I have never even been to, let alone done business in.

Thanks for the info.

So does that mean that once the application is approved by the applicant's home immigration service (ie HK in my case), it is just a matter of formality (ie time) to get the pre-clearance approvals from each country ?

I received a letter from HK immi saying "I am pleased to inform you that your application for ABTC is approved and the pre-clearance requests have been sent to the other participating economies of the ABTC scheme."

Yes, that is how I understand it.

Posted

Ahh - OK I misunderstood. Hope you are right ! Sounds logical, but doesn't explain why it takes 4 months to get pre-clearance once the application is approved. Fingers crossed - thanks for the information :-)

  • 1 month later...
  • 2 months later...
Posted

Quick question - am I supposed to get an "APEC visa" from a thai consulate before entering thailand, or do I just arrive and show the card along with my passport ?

Posted
Quick question - am I supposed to get an "APEC visa" from a thai consulate before entering thailand, or do I just arrive and show the card along with my passport ?

your card is essentially the Visa -when you arrive at the airport

look for the sign which says " Diplomatic /ABTC " -just present

your passport and the card and you will get 90 days.

by the way you were lucky - I just renewed mine in Australia

and it took nine months -the first time they took about

six months- and the now warning it can take

up to 12 months !! Yes China is taking a long time

but Thailand is also apparently slower now probably because of

the new government.

Posted
Quick question - am I supposed to get an "APEC visa" from a thai consulate before entering thailand, or do I just arrive and show the card along with my passport ?

your card is essentially the Visa -when you arrive at the airport

look for the sign which says " Diplomatic /ABTC " -just present

your passport and the card and you will get 90 days.

by the way you were lucky - I just renewed mine in Australia

and it took nine months -the first time they took about

six months- and the now warning it can take

up to 12 months !! Yes China is taking a long time

but Thailand is also apparently slower now probably because of

the new government.

My aplication was approved and Thailand has granted pre-clearance, but I haven't been to get the card yet since I am currently in the UK. What you accords with my own understanding, but what does the fee of $150 for "APEC Multiple Entries Non Immigrant Visa" mean on the Thai Consulate/USA website mean ?

http://www.thaiembdc.org/index.htm

Posted
Quick question - am I supposed to get an "APEC visa" from a thai consulate before entering thailand, or do I just arrive and show the card along with my passport ?

your card is essentially the Visa -when you arrive at the airport

look for the sign which says " Diplomatic /ABTC " -just present

your passport and the card and you will get 90 days.

by the way you were lucky - I just renewed mine in Australia

and it took nine months -the first time they took about

six months- and the now warning it can take

up to 12 months !! Yes China is taking a long time

but Thailand is also apparently slower now probably because of

the new government.

My aplication was approved and Thailand has granted pre-clearance, but I haven't been to get the card yet since I am currently in the UK. What you accords with my own understanding, but what does the fee of $150 for "APEC Multiple Entries Non Immigrant Visa" mean on the Thai Consulate/USA website mean ?

http://www.thaiembdc.org/index.htm

you dont need to worry what is on this Web site -once you have the card in your possession

you only need to know which other countries participate and how many days

you are allowed to stay. See :- http://www.businessmobility.org/key/ABTCAr...sMarch2006.html

The information on the Web site you are referring to may be directed towards Thai citizens who intend to apply for the card.

  • 2 months later...
Posted

Yes I agree Thailand was alittle slow in giving clearance, but i think it took about 2 months for me. I have still yet to be cleared by one other country, however I asked for an interim card as the countries I required to travel to had cleared me.

  • 2 months later...
Posted

I am an American with Permanent Residency in Hong Kong and am thinking about applying for the APEC card. I was hoping some of the successful applicants might share their experiences, particularly in regards to the company letter and supporting documents.

Specifically,

1. Besides the application form and letter from your company, were any supporting documents required by the HK Immigration Dept?

2. My registered property investment company is basically a one-person operation, so I'd be writing a letter in support of my own application. Any suggestions on how it should be worded?

Thanks.

Posted
I am an American with Permanent Residency in Hong Kong and am thinking about applying for the APEC card. I was hoping some of the successful applicants might share their experiences, particularly in regards to the company letter and supporting documents.

Specifically,

1. Besides the application form and letter from your company, were any supporting documents required by the HK Immigration Dept?

2. My registered property investment company is basically a one-person operation, so I'd be writing a letter in support of my own application. Any suggestions on how it should be worded?

Thanks.

You apply in the jurisdiction that you are part of. Each jurisdiction will process and vet the initial application based on their own interpretation of the policys, so there is not one definitive list of steps to follow ie: what i required for NZL may be less or more than is needed for HK . Then clearance requests are issued to the participating members.

I would contact the HK office and ask what they require.

http://www.businessmobility.org/key/hong_kong.htm

Posted

Thanks for your info & the link.

Wondering if there's anyone with Hong Kong-specific information regarding my questions, i.e.,

1. Besides the application form and letter from your company, were any supporting documents required by the HK Immigration Dept?

2. My registered property investment company is basically a one-person operation, so I'd be writing a letter in support of my own application. Any suggestions on how it should be worded?

Thanks again.

Posted

I'm hoping the Forum might have some Hong Kong permanent residents who could share their experiences of applying for the APEC Business Travel Card.

My specific questions follow, but would welcome any advice.

1. Besides the application form and letter from your company, were any supporting documents required by the HK Immigration Dept?

2. My registered property investment company is basically a one-person operation, so I'd be writing a letter in support of my own application. Any suggestions on how it should be worded?

Thanks again.

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