Apec Card

[kiakaha]

This is mainly for the Aussies and Kiwis(sorry yanks/brits/euros).

A couple of guys at my company have this card.

It is very handy.

Here is the official word about it from the website :

The APEC Business Travel Card provides accredited business people with streamlined access to participating APEC countries. Cardholders enjoy:

* express immigration clearance through special APEC lanes on arrival and departure

* no requirement to apply for visas or entry permits

* multiple entry to participating countries for a stay of up to 90 days on each visit.

The card is valid for three years and is based on a unique electronic pre-clearance system, providing members with VIP entry into 17 APEC countries.

Used in conjunction with your passport, the card is eligible for travel to:

Australia

Indonesia

Philippines

Brunei Darussalam

Japan

Peru

Chile

Malaysia

Republic of Korea

Chinese Taipei

New Zealand

Singapore

Hong Kong

Papua New Guinea

Thailand

People's Republic of China

Vietnam

Who can apply?

The APEC Business Travel Card is available to business people engaged in trade and investment activities, who:

* are nationals of participating countries

* travel frequently to conduct trade and investment activities in participating APEC countries;

* have a clear criminal record.

[samran]

and takes Aaaaaages to get processed, as pre-approval has to be granted by each country.

[kiakaha]

It is not an overnight process, thats for sure. I asked a guy at my office and he said that his took around 3 months to get all the clearances.

[udon]

APEC Business Travel Card Scheme A$170

Participating economies

There are 17 APEC economies currently participating in the APEC Business Travel Card scheme:

Australia

Brunei Darussalam

Chile

Hong Kong (China)

Indonesia

Japan

Republic of Korea

New Zealand

Papua New Guinea

People's Republic of China

The Philippines

Malaysia

Peru

Singapore

Chinese Taipei

Thailand

Vietnam

[kiakaha]

Already posted about this topic :

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=83067

Just to make it clear, these cards wont just be handed out willy nilly to individuals,visa runners,english teachers.Wont happen. They also take a long time to process. You have to be an accredited business traveller frequenting the APEC region for meetings, trade talks etc....ie: your company is well established in Aust, NZL etc... and has the record to prove this etc.....

Further more you'll still need to get a Non-Immigrant Visa if you want to get a work permit.

[udon]

Oops.. thanks for the link.

[vinny]

See also APEC Business Travel Card and Musings on my APEC Card.

Edited September 18, 2006 by vinny