APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance
APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance
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Discuss APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance, on the Immigration & Customs forum of FrequentFlyer.com.au, the home of frequent flyers.
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You apply to the country of your passport, so, yes Aussie Expats are eligible, but you apply thru Immi in Oz.
Thanks for the reply infoworks. I've since reviewed the application and quote:
"Hong Kong Permanent Residents note...
If you are an Australian citizen and you are also a permanent resident of Hong Kong please be aware that Hong Kong is currently not granting pre-clearances to foreign APEC Business Travel Card applicants who hold Hong Kong permanent resident status. This means your card will not be valid for entry into Hong Kong.
This should not present a problem, however, as ABTC holders use the permanent resident lanes at Hong Kong International Airport, which you are eligible to use anyway if you are a permanent resident of Hong kong.
If you prefer to have a card with Hong Kong included on it you can apply for a card through the authorities in Hong Kong, by virtue of being a Hong Kong permanent resident."
This implies that Australian passport holders with permanent residency in an APEC country have the option to apply via Australia immigration OR their "permanent residence" country.
However as a Japanese resident (and not permanent resident) I am limited to apply through Australia.
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It's not an issue for me as I am based and resident in Oz. One thing, the HK entry for a "normal" Oz passport is for 90 days, using apec is only for 60 days. It doesn't impact me, but may others...however, the resident lines are usually empty and certainly faster moving than the "great unwashed masses" lines.
I would think having the card, even if you can't use it as a foreign resident, but still travelling a lot in Asia, especially Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, China would be a real benefit.
...One thing, the HK entry for a "normal" Oz passport is for 90 days, using apec is only for 60 days. It doesn't impact me, but may others...
Good point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by infoworks
I would think having the card, even if you can't use it as a foreign resident, but still travelling a lot in Asia, especially Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, China would be a real benefit.
Agreed. Printed my application form earlier today .
I applied for and was granted my card while a resident of Singapore (P1 work permit). Applied through DIMIA back in Australia - credit card payment with application in thepost and so problems.
At Hong Kong, there are the queues for "residents" and permanent residents" I recall (the right and farrrr-right). APEC card can only be used in the right lane and NOT the farrr-right. (Same line as if you held a working visa).
As for which country you apply through - the card needs to be issued by the same country as your passport (your passport number is recorded on the APEC card). So if you have a HK (or JP!) passport, and you travel on that passport frequently, go for it.
Does anyone know if (self employed) professional athletes would qualify? Specifically professional golfers and tennis players on the Japanese/ Asian tours?
Does anyone know if (self employed) professional athletes would qualify? Specifically professional golfers and tennis players on the Japanese/ Asian tours?
If you regard it as your business and how you earn your living, then IMHO yes.
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if (self employed) professional athletes would qualify? Specifically professional golfers and tennis players on the Japanese/ Asian tours?
Depends on how you've set yourself up - do you have an Australian company/ACN etc? Do you bring your earnings back to Australia? If you are you're an EXPORTER! (yet I somehow suspect you're not...) Give it a go! You could e-mail or call the Dept. in CBR. They're very helpful and forthcoming with info. In reality, the more people using the pass, the happier they are as the project is successful...
if (self employed) professional athletes would qualify? Specifically professional golfers and tennis players on the Japanese/ Asian tours?
Depens on how you've set yourself up - do you have an Australian company/ACN etc? Do you bring your earnings back to Australia? If you are you're an EXPORTER! (yet I somehow suspect you're not...) Give it a go! You could e-mail or call the Dept. in CBR. They're very helpful and forthcoming with info. In reality, the more people using the pass, the happier they are as the project is successful...
Gambatte!
When I first came to Japan I had an Australian company/ ACN, which helped with things like renting office space (World Trade Center etc). Now everything is registered in Japan, though this may change again later.
I did e-mail the Dept. yesterday and inquired, highlighting the golfing trade and investment side, while downplaying the prizemoney side. I'll post their response to this forum once received.
I did e-mail the Dept. yesterday and inquired, highlighting the golfing trade and investment side, while downplaying the prizemoney side. I'll post their response to this forum once received.
Here is the response and further eligibility guidelines:
Dear BlacKnox
The Operating framework that governs the ABTC scheme (available on-line at http://www.businessmobility.org/key/..._framework.pdf ) and outlines Australia's obligations to the other participating economies states that the card is only available to bona fide business people. Specifically,
section 3.1.3 states that:
"A bona fide business person is taken to mean a person who is engaged in
the trade of goods, the provision of services or the conduct of investment activities.
It specifically does not include:
• the business person’s dependent spouse and children;
• persons who wish to engage in paid employment or a working holiday;
• professional athletes, news correspondents, entertainers, musicians,
artists or persons engaged in similar occupations."
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