Apec Card - Multiple Visas?

[freshness]

Hello sheeple,

I have an APEC card which supposedly means no visa lines, automatic 90-day visas and all that other good stuff. I haven't used the thing yet as I'm completing a postgrad thing overseas and recieved it in the mail around April (in australia..... but im not australian).

I'm going to being working in Thailand (internship) later in the year. Now, the internship - unpaid - is 6 weeks. I'll be chilling for a few weeks before starting, so by the time its finished (the internship) I'll have used up the 90 days.

My question therefore is: Will I get questioned/pinged if I do a 'visa run' just using the APEC card without applying for a visa elsewhere? I mean I know its not meant for that purpose. Its meant for real business men, which I'm not; but I was able to apply for it when I did have a legit work permit in Bangkok before running away to do this worthless degree.

Any one using their APEC card as kind of a free ticket to unlimited visas? I just wanna know because I could apply for the whole visa thing here but it costs a lot and I would get the same amount of time as the no-hassles APEC card (at least the first entry anyway). Any one have any experience with this? Really appreciate any replies.

Thanks!

[Richard4849]

You'll need a non-immigrant "B" visa in order to work legally, so the APEC card is irrelevant.

[KamnanT]

I know of at least two people who used an APEC card to reside long term (2+ years) in Thailand. 90 days on each entry, only one instance where an immigration officer questioned the length of time in Thailand. But neither of these people were working in Thailand - as Richard4849 pointed out, working requires a work permit and a work permit requires a Non-Immigrant visa. Despite the fact that your internship is unpaid and of short duration, the law requires your employer to secure a work permit for you.

[samran]

...and people taking the piss and using it as a de-facto residents visa is why the Australians at least have come down hard on issuing APEC cards recently

[freshness]

Thanks answers there. I'll see if the organisation can provide the proper paperwork for the non B. Much appreicated

[Spoonman]

Just looking at the APEC website it seems to be fairly selective as to who is eligible for a card, Freshness, are you a "senior" business person or did you bullshit the application as I too hold a work permit here and in no way qualify for an APEC card.

[hagler]

I have held an APEC card now for 5 years and yes the Australian Government is now cracking down on the conditions of issuance for them now as result of complaints from other member countries about abuse of the program by Australian card holders who number around 25% of all cards issued. The OP will not get a new card when his expires based on his stated qualifications and needs for one. He really should hand his back now as he is not entitled to it and its misuse by people like him is the very reason that the crackdowns are occurring.

I spend 60% of my time commuting and doing business in APEC countries and in the last 4 months have been starting to see questions like " how long will you be staying" and "what is the nature of your business" starting to be asked more frequently by the immigration guys, especially in Thailand. I think the days of doing "back to backs" for residency use on an APEC card are coming very rapidly to an end and a good thing too. The APEC card scheme is for legitimate frequently travelling business people in the region not for feckless bozos to extend their holiday in the sun.