The aim of APEC card is to enhance the mobility of business travellers among the APEC economies, thus promoting business within the region.
Who can apply an APEC Card:
A business person residing in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may apply for an ABTC if he/she:
- holds a Hong Kong permanent identity card and a valid national passport;
- has not previously been denied entry to any of the participating economies;
- has never been convicted of a criminal offence;
- must be a bona fide business person who needs to travel frequently on short term visits within the APEC region to fulfil business commitments.
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 does not include entertainers, musicians, artists or persons engaged in similar occupations.
It is normally valid for five years. However, when the applicant changes or review the passport, a new card should be replaced as well. The card is good for multiple visits of two to three months to participating economies without the need for a visa if pre-clearance has been granted.
For card holders travelling to a participating economy, they can use the special service lanes at selected control points for entry and exit clearance and enjoy streamlined immigration clearance upon presentation of the card and their valid national passport.
The APEC economies participating in the Scheme are:
- Australia
- Brunei Darussalam
- Chile
- People’s Republic of China
- Hong Kong (China)
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- The Philippines
- Russia
- Singapore
- Chinese Taipei
- Thailand
- Vietnam
