[serfty]

I believe the 'portpass' is for land access only; if the program is still functioning.

For flyers, there was a pass available called INSPASS. This died after 11/9.

There is some dated information here: Frequent Traveler? Apply for INSPASS.

Currently a replacement facility termed CBP-PASS is under investigation. Here is a 1.8Mb .pdf with some more information: Securing the Frontline, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 2005–2010 Strategic Plan

[cabbage74]

I have been having a look at several sites relating to this since seeing the post this morning. I have not read on any of the sites that the program has been discontinued. www.uscis.gov has a copy of of the I-823 form (however it is dated 08/25/00).

The thing which puzzels me is on some of the non-official sites it mentions that you must travel to the US on business more than three times a year, while the I-823 form and USINS site does not mention that at all. Infact the form asks for your intended purpose of travel to the US.

If someone could comfirm that you are able to use this for lesuire I would be grateful.
Regards,
Malcolm.

[cowombat]

I last renewed my PortPass (definitely called that - I'm looking at the card now) about 18 months ago. So it is definitely still working post 9/11, and I last used it in June 05, so is current (although the scanner was broken at JFK on this occasion... so I just went up to any US citizen lane counter and presented my card with passport. The Officer was happy to process me.

The card is labelled a PortPass, but the system (including the scanners etc) is called INSpass, because the INS issues the Port Pass.
Someone told me awhile ago that when the terror alert is high in the US, the pass is not valid. But I have never yet been turned away from the US citizen entry lane. (although last year in Dallas, the embarrassed Officer admitted to having never heard of the system... they don't have the system there. But he happily let me through... and I avoided about 500 latin americans in the alien queue)

To get one? Go to the Portpass office in Tom Bradley terminal at LAX (also at JFK, Miami, Newark, SFO, Toronto Pearson IA, Vancouver IA, Washington Dulles). Unfortunately if you have to be on the US side of customs to get a card. It takes about 20 minutes to get a photo ID card prepared on the spot. I vaguely recall when I got my first pass long ago, they did affirm I was visiting the US at least 3 times a year.

[cowombat]

PS for Cabbage74, I have used it for vacation travel, even bringing my kids into the LAX US citizens queue with me. The Officers never have had any issue with this. It just makes their job easier to have the confidence of processing a person (and dependants) for which they hold a full history including comprehensive biodata at hand.

[Lindsay Wilson]

I'll definitely look into PortPass in either LAX, MIA or YVR as I'll be in each of there in Dec/Jan. Problem is that I probably wouldn't travel that regularly to USA.

I've downloaded the APEC card and will get my photo done this afternoon at the travel agents'. I'll mail in the application tomorrow and see how long it takes.

Now, as I would have the card and sometimes travel with my wife to work conferences (NZ, Hong Kong, Thailand, etc) would she get to come with me to the APEC queue (without her having the APEC card), or should I just get her to apply for hers anyway. Anybody had experience with this - what would you do??

[AlwaysUpThere]

Had mixed luck with two people.
NRT - Yes
SYD - No
HKG - No

Seems like there is a low awarness of these systems. Not a bad thing in my view as if everyone had one, there would be no benefit...

As an additional experience, at TPE - Eventhough I had been cleared in "the system" but Taiwan was not listed on the back of my card so they gave me a gob-full and let me through anyway...

[infoworks]

Originally Posted by Lindsay Wilson

I've downloaded the APEC card and will get my photo done this afternoon at the travel agents'. I'll mail in the application tomorrow and see how long it takes.

Now, as I would have the card and sometimes travel with my wife to work conferences (NZ, Hong Kong, Thailand, etc) would she get to come with me to the APEC queue (without her having the APEC card), or should I just get her to apply for hers anyway. Anybody had experience with this - what would you do??

Issuing the card could take 4-5 months, depending on the country, even though the agreement is supposed to be 2 weeks. China is currently a 5 month backlog. You can request any number of interim cards once some of the economies are posted. They give you a reference number and you can track the approval process online. They update the list about twice a week.

Some economies will let a non-apec partner go through with you. Sydney, of all places, departing, they have been pernickety. As this is their only moment of power, different immi officers in different countries react differently. Mostly they have been accommodating for me and my son, who doesn't have a card (at this stage).

[Lindsay Wilson]

Well, got the first letter today (mailed 1 September) from APEC Business Travel Card Project saying my application had been lodged (they'd debited my CC on 23 August and issued a Tax Invoice which were attached). Now I can track the progress to find which economies have pre-cleared my application.

They note that the average clearance time is currently one month for all economies except China. In bold, they advise clearances for China currently take in excess of 4 months.

Went and checked the progress - well, at least I've been cleared by Australia

[BlacKnox]

Originally Posted by Lindsay Wilson

Went and checked the progress - well, at least I've been cleared by Australia

Hmmm, wonder if I would be cleared by Australia, not having lived there for several years? Any Aussie expats had success in getting this card issued either from Australia or elsewhere?

[infoworks]

You apply to the country of your passport, so, yes Aussie Expats are eligible, but you apply thru Immi in Oz.