Business Travel Card from APEC- Asian Bridge

Clients of the APEC Business Travel Card: Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1 – what exactly is an ABTC?

Business travelers and senior government officials who meet specific criteria are given the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC). The ABTC program, often known as the ABTC plan, is managed by APEC. The ABTC program aims to make travel inside the APEC region easier.

Question 2 – What distinguishes members who are actively involved from those who are in transition?

Transitional members do not engage in the preclearance component of the ABTC program, but fully participating members do.


When visiting an APEC economy, ABTC holders who have been given preclearance are not required to apply separately for a visa or entrance permit.


Holders of an ABTC must provide any visas, travel documents, or other entry permits needed to enter a transitional economy.


Holders of an ABTC from a transitional economy cannot obtain pre-clearance from a fully participating economy; as a result, they must produce any visas, travel documents, or other entry requirements that are necessary for admission into their destination economy.


The economies to which the holder has been granted pre-clearance will be listed on the reverse side of an ABTC issued by a fully participating economy. An ABTC issued by a transitional economy will have a blank reverse side.


Before departing, travelers are advised to confirm the entry criteria of the APEC economy they would be visiting.


Access to the fast-track immigration lanes at participating airports is available to both fully participating members and transitional members.

Question 3 – What advantages come with having an ABTC?

For frequent business travelers, the ABTC offers:


Multiple, short-term entrances to precleared APEC economies without needing to submit a separate visa application to fully participating members; Fast-track entry and leave through designated APEC lanes at participating airports.

Question 4 – Do I still require a passport and visa to enter APEC economies?

Holders of an ABTC who have been given preclearance to an APEC economy that is a fully participating member are not required to submit a separate application for a visa when visiting that country. Even after a person has been given an ABTC, each APEC economy retains the authority to decide who may travel to, enter, and reside in that country and to grant preclearance at its own discretion.


The ABTC isn't meant to take the place of a passport. Passports in good standing continue to be the primary form of identification for travelers, and owners of ABTCs will need to show both their passport and ABTC upon entry and exit into member economies.


Holders of an ABTC must produce any necessary travel or identity documents, such as a passport, a visa, or a travel permit, when visiting a transitional member economy of APEC.


Before departing, travelers are advised to confirm the entry criteria of the APEC economy they would be visiting.

Question 5 – Can I just travel to the countries mentioned on the back of my card using my card?

Only the economies indicated on the reverse of an ABTC are exempt from requiring a visa for visitors. You must show any visa, travel document, or identity card needed for admission into the economy you wish to visit if it is not one that is specified on the back of your ABTC. However, regardless of which economies are indicated on the card's reverse, all cardholders have access to the fast-track lanes in APEC economies' airports.

Question 6 – What must I do if my passport is renewed or expires?

Holders of ABTCs are required to keep a current passport on hand while using the card. If a cardholder's passport is updated or replaced and their card still makes use of information from their old passport, they must update their ABTC. The rules governing the validity of their passport and identification card must be confirmed with their home economy by applicants.