Important Updates
Important Updates
July 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Congress Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill with Immigration Impact
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Ontario Implements Key Reforms to the Immigrant Nominee Program
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Québec Reopens Skilled Worker Program and Unveils Selection Criteria
July 3, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Temporary Pause on Issuing Freelance Visas
July 3, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Migration Advisory Committee to Assess Salary Thresholds, Temporary Shortage List Occupations
July 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Congress Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill with Immigration Impact
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Ontario Implements Key Reforms to the Immigrant Nominee Program
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Québec Reopens Skilled Worker Program and Unveils Selection Criteria
July 3, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Temporary Pause on Issuing Freelance Visas
July 3, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Migration Advisory Committee to Assess Salary Thresholds, Temporary Shortage List Occupations
July 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Congress Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill with Immigration Impact
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Why Get an APEC Business Traveller Card?

January 22, 2016

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related contacts

Photo of Victoria Jamour

Victoria Jamour

Practice Leader, Outbound Services

Sydney, Australia

Email

[email protected]

T:+61 2 8224 8535

Related offices

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Auckland
  • Beijing
  • Boston, MA
  • Brisbane
  • Chicago, IL
  • Miami, FL
  • Dallas, TX
  • Hong Kong
  • Houston, TX
  • Irvine, CA
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Matawan, NJ
  • Melbourne
  • Mexico City
  • Perth
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • San Jose
  • São Paulo
  • Shanghai
  • Silicon Valley, CA
  • Singapore
  • Sydney
  • Toronto
  • Detroit, MI
  • Washington, DC

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Victoria Jamour

Victoria Jamour

Practice Leader, Outbound Services

Sydney, Australia

Email

[email protected]

T:+61 2 8224 8535

Related offices

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Auckland
  • Beijing
  • Boston, MA
  • Brisbane
  • Chicago, IL
  • Miami, FL
  • Dallas, TX
  • Hong Kong
  • Houston, TX
  • Irvine, CA
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Matawan, NJ
  • Melbourne
  • Mexico City
  • Perth
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • San Jose
  • São Paulo
  • Shanghai
  • Silicon Valley, CA
  • Singapore
  • Sydney
  • Toronto
  • Detroit, MI
  • Washington, DC

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Victoria Jamour

Victoria Jamour

Practice Leader, Outbound Services

Sydney, Australia

Email

[email protected]

T:+61 2 8224 8535

Related offices

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Auckland
  • Beijing
  • Boston, MA
  • Brisbane
  • Chicago, IL
  • Miami, FL
  • Dallas, TX
  • Hong Kong
  • Houston, TX
  • Irvine, CA
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Matawan, NJ
  • Melbourne
  • Mexico City
  • Perth
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • San Jose
  • São Paulo
  • Shanghai
  • Silicon Valley, CA
  • Singapore
  • Sydney
  • Toronto
  • Detroit, MI
  • Washington, DC

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Victoria Jamour

In a global economy, business travel has increased significantly.  Business travel by its very nature tends to be urgent and short- term, and securing visas can be easily overlooked.  For Australian, senior executive travellers, one way to avoid any unnecessary delays or issues is to consider applying for an APEC Business Travel card (ABTC).
 
The ABTC gives business travellers a faster and easier entry to economies of the Asia-Pacific region by eliminating the need to apply for a visa or entry permit each time the person travels to any of the participating APEC economies.  ABTC holders also benefit from fast-track entry and exit through special APEC lanes at major airports, and multiple short term entry to these economies for a minimum of 60 days stay each visit. 
 
The ABTC is most suitable for senior level executives who travel frequently for business.  Broadly speaking to be eligible for an ABTC, the traveller must
 
  • travel frequently from their home country to an APEC economy-evidence of at least four business trips in the past 12 months to anywhere in the APEC zone is required;
  • have not been convicted of a criminal offence;
  • be employed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or regional or country head of a registered business entity - alternatively the CEO, CFO or regional head can  nominate a member of staff;
  • possess a valid work and residence permit (for those living in a country other than their passport nationality); and
 
The business entity must also be engaged in international trade or investment between APEC economies.
 
An ABTC allows card holders to enter participating countries visa free for 60-90 day to conduct business relates activities.  The19 fully participating members are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, China, Chile, Hong Kong, Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Peru, the Russian Federation, the Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Vietnam.  The remaining two economies (Canada and the USA) are transitional members of the scheme and only provide fast track immigration processing lanes.
 
An application for an APEC card is filed with the Immigration Department of the travellers’ passport nationality.  For example, an Australian national on assignment in Singapore would file their ABTC application with the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection. As a guide, an ABTC is likely to take 3 to 6 months to process. The good news, though, is that applications lodged on or after 1 September 2015 will be granted an ABTC valid for 5 years. 
 
Fragomen’s Sydney Consular Practice Team can assist with an ABTC application. Please contact  Jennifer Astey at [email protected]  to get your application started.

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related contacts

Photo of Victoria Jamour

Victoria Jamour

Practice Leader, Outbound Services

Sydney, Australia

Email

[email protected]

T:+61 2 8224 8535

Related offices

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Auckland
  • Beijing
  • Boston, MA
  • Brisbane
  • Chicago, IL
  • Miami, FL
  • Dallas, TX
  • Hong Kong
  • Houston, TX
  • Irvine, CA
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Matawan, NJ
  • Melbourne
  • Mexico City
  • Perth
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • San Jose
  • São Paulo
  • Shanghai
  • Silicon Valley, CA
  • Singapore
  • Sydney
  • Toronto
  • Detroit, MI
  • Washington, DC

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Victoria Jamour

Victoria Jamour

Practice Leader, Outbound Services

Sydney, Australia

Email

[email protected]

T:+61 2 8224 8535

Related offices

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Auckland
  • Beijing
  • Boston, MA
  • Brisbane
  • Chicago, IL
  • Miami, FL
  • Dallas, TX
  • Hong Kong
  • Houston, TX
  • Irvine, CA
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Matawan, NJ
  • Melbourne
  • Mexico City
  • Perth
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • San Jose
  • São Paulo
  • Shanghai
  • Silicon Valley, CA
  • Singapore
  • Sydney
  • Toronto
  • Detroit, MI
  • Washington, DC

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Victoria Jamour

Victoria Jamour

Practice Leader, Outbound Services

Sydney, Australia

Email

[email protected]

T:+61 2 8224 8535

Related offices

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Auckland
  • Beijing
  • Boston, MA
  • Brisbane
  • Chicago, IL
  • Miami, FL
  • Dallas, TX
  • Hong Kong
  • Houston, TX
  • Irvine, CA
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Matawan, NJ
  • Melbourne
  • Mexico City
  • Perth
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • San Jose
  • São Paulo
  • Shanghai
  • Silicon Valley, CA
  • Singapore
  • Sydney
  • Toronto
  • Detroit, MI
  • Washington, DC

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Podcast

David Kipp über Migration von Indien nach Deutschland

David Kipp von der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik im Gespräch mit Marius Tollenaere, Partner im Frankfurter Büro von Fragomen.

Learn more

Blog post

EB-5: What You Should Know—And Why It Might Be Worth It

Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.

Learn more

Blog post

The 11th Seat: Timor-Leste's ASEAN Debut and the Shifting Map of Regional Mobility

Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the Saudi Real Estate Market: What Expats Need to Know

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 Middle East and Africa Immigration Trends: Balancing Localization Concerns with Global Talent Attraction Efforts

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Learn more

Video

French Citizenship by Decree | Everything You Need to Know

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Learn more

Blog post

Navigating the UAE Corporate Landscape: A Strategic Guide for Startups and Entrepreneurs

This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechRound: Experts Share: How Will The Global Talent Visa Help The Startup Industry?

Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of Care Work in the UK: Understanding the Latest Immigration Announcements

Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: 25 Years Ago New Immigrants to Canada Told Us Their Dreams. We Checked In to See How They’ve Fared

Senior Business Immigration Analyst Rabaa Biry recently shared her journey to Canada and how support and perseverance helped shape her path forward.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Podcast

David Kipp über Migration von Indien nach Deutschland

David Kipp von der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik im Gespräch mit Marius Tollenaere, Partner im Frankfurter Büro von Fragomen.

Learn more

Blog post

EB-5: What You Should Know—And Why It Might Be Worth It

Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.

Learn more

Blog post

The 11th Seat: Timor-Leste's ASEAN Debut and the Shifting Map of Regional Mobility

Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the Saudi Real Estate Market: What Expats Need to Know

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 Middle East and Africa Immigration Trends: Balancing Localization Concerns with Global Talent Attraction Efforts

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Learn more

Video

French Citizenship by Decree | Everything You Need to Know

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Learn more

Blog post

Navigating the UAE Corporate Landscape: A Strategic Guide for Startups and Entrepreneurs

This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechRound: Experts Share: How Will The Global Talent Visa Help The Startup Industry?

Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of Care Work in the UK: Understanding the Latest Immigration Announcements

Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: 25 Years Ago New Immigrants to Canada Told Us Their Dreams. We Checked In to See How They’ve Fared

Senior Business Immigration Analyst Rabaa Biry recently shared her journey to Canada and how support and perseverance helped shape her path forward.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.