Rikvin Pte Ltd

Singapore Company Registration Specialists

  • Call Us Now+65 6320 1888
  • WhatsApp Us+65 8699 8821
  • Get a Quote Now


  • Home
  • Services
    • Incorporation
    • Corporate Secretary
    • Taxation
    • Transfer Pricing
    • Accounting
    • Immigration
    • HR Outsourcing
    • International Expansion Services
    • Business Advisory & Support
    • Switch to Rikvin
  • Learn
    • Incorporation
    • Work Visas
    • Taxation
    • Accounting
    • Compliance
    • Resources
    • Infographics
    • Industry Guides
    • Business Reports
    • Country Reports
    • Download Guides
    • FAQs
    • Events
  • Tools
    • Company Name Check
    • SSIC Codes Search
    • AGM Calculator
    • Tax Calculators
    • Personal Tax Calculator
    • Corporate Tax Calculator
    • Global Tax Calculator
    • Work Visas
    • PEP Assessment
    • More Free Tools
  • About
  • Community
    • Blogs
    • Press Releases
    • In.Conversation
    • Videos
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Singapore Immigration and Work Visas / APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Scheme

APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Scheme

On this page, you will learn about the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Scheme, which grants fast and efficient travel for business people within the APEC region. Under the scheme, cardholders benefit from pre-cleared, facilitated short-term entry into participating member economies.

The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) is a multiple journey visa that grants cardholders the privilege of visa-free entry and expedited immigration clearance through designated ABTC lanes in participating Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies.

Participating Economies

There are currently 21 economies participating in the ABTC scheme. A total of 18 nations are considered full participants of the scheme, granting streamlined travel to ABTC holders. These include:

  • Australia
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Chile
  • China
  • Chinese Taipei
  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Republic of Korea
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

In addition to the above, there are currently 3 countries that have been accepted as transitional members of the scheme, including:

  • Canada
  • The Russian Federation
  • The United States of America

Transitional nations allow cardholders from all participating economies to use “fast-track” immigration lanes that are typically assigned to aircrew at major international airports. However, these countries have yet to grant ABTC to their own citizens.

Canada, to date, is still working towards issuing cards to its own citizens. Russia is making final preparations before launching the card to its citizens. Meanwhile, the U.S. has passed legislation to grant ABTC to citizens; however, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is still in the process of commencing card issuance.*

ABTC cardholders traveling to transitional member countries will still be subjected to existing immigration clearance applicable to all travellers. Cardholders travelling to the US and Canada will still need to present valid visas if required by existing US and/or Canadian law. The Russian Federation, on the other hand, has lifted the visa requirements for ABTC holders.

*NOTE: The passing of the “APEC Business Travel Cards Act of 2011” will not change the procedures for foreigners entering the United States. The U.S. immigration law does not recognize the ABTC as an entry visa, and travellers from other APEC countries will still need to obtain the required visas.


Benefits for ABTC Cardholders

The goal of the ABTC scheme is to facilitate the movement of business people between the participating economies, cutting through red tape and granting pre-cleared entry to member economies.

The scheme is primarily intended to provide streamlined entry to APEC economies for frequent business travellers. Under the ABTC scheme, cardholders enjoy the ease and flexibility of exploring new business opportunities, attending meetings, as well as conducting trade and various investment activities in APEC nations.

In a nutshell, the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) provides the following privileges to cardholders:

  • Fast-track entry and exit through special APEC lanes at major international airports
  • Multiple short-term entry to participating economies for a period of 60-90 days stay per visit
  • Visa-free entry to participating APEC economies (i.e. the ABTC card serves as the visa), excluding transitional members

Each APEC Business Travel card is valid for 5 years, or up to the validity of the passport, whichever is shorter.

Note: The ABTC is not meant to replace the passport as a travel document. Cardholders will still need a valid passport to travel.


Eligibility

The following are eligible to apply for the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Scheme in Singapore:

  • Singapore Citizens with a valid Singapore passport
  • Bona fide business persons (i.e. those who represent economically-active business entities)
  • Members of professional bodies (e.g. doctors, lawyers, artists)
  • Public officers from Ministries, Government departments, economic agencies and statutory boards who need to travel in their official capacity
  • Individuals who travel frequently to conduct trade and investment activities in the APEC region
  • Individuals who have not been convicted of a criminal offence

In general, an individual must be a passport holder of a participating economy (i.e. citizen) in order to qualify for an APEC Business Travel Card. Note that some countries may require additional information and may impose additional eligibility criteria.

Singapore Permanent Residents and foreigners will have to apply for the ABTC from their home economies. For example, a Malaysian who is a Singapore PR will have to apply for the ABTC from the Malaysian card-issuing authorities.


Documentary Requirements

In Singapore, ABTC applications must be submitted to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The documents required are as follows:

  • VISA or Mastercard credit/debit card (for online payment)
  • Digital photo image file of applicant with the following specifications:
    • JPEG format (‘jpg’ extension)
    • Preferred dimension of 400 x 514 pixels
    • File size should be no more than 60 kb
  • Scanned signature image file
  • Supporting document (to prove eligibility), where applicable
  • SingPass ID
  • Valid Singapore Passport

All applications must be lodged online through the ICA website.

Processing time may take at least 3 months. Some cases may take longer, up to 1 year, due to the pre-clearance from the APEC economies.

ABTC Lanes in Participating International Airports
APEC Economy ABTC lane arrangements in major international airports Length of stay granted to foreign ABTC holders
Australia APEC lanes are signposted, located at the far left of immigration concourses, and are shared with air crew. They are available in both the arrival and departure halls of the following major airports:

  • Adelaide
  • Brisbane
  • Cairns
  • Darwin
  • Sydney
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
90 days
Brunei Darussalam Special APEC lanes are provided at:

  • Brunei International Airport
90 days
Canada APEC lane arrangements in major international airports. Special APEC lanes are provided at:

  • Vancouver
  • Edmonton
  • Calgary
  • Winnipeg
  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Montreal
  • Halifax
Valid visas must be obtained if required by existing Canadian law.
Chile Special APEC lanes are provided at:

  • Santiago International Airport
90 days
China Special APEC lanes are provided at:

  • Beijing International Airport
  • Pudong International Airport (Shanghai)
60 days
Hong Kong (China) APEC lanes are signposted and located in the Arrival and Departure Halls, and shared with Hong Kong Residents and Travel Pass holders at:

  • Hong Kong International Airport

APEC Lanes are also available at selected ferry points and land control terminals.

60 days
Indonesia APEC lanes are signposted and located in the Arrival and Departure Halls at:

  • Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Jakarta)
  • Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali)
  • Polonia International Airport (Medan)
  • Juanda International Airport (Surabaya)
  • Batam International Ferry Ports
60 days
Japan APEC lanes are signposted and located at:

  • Narita International Airport (Narita)
  • Haneda Airport (Tokyo)
  • Kansai International Airport (Osaka)
  • Central Japan International Airport (Centrair, Nagoya)
90 days
Korea APEC lanes are signposted and located at:

  • Incheon International Airport (Seoul)
90 days
Malaysia APEC lanes are signposted and located at:

  • Kuala Lumpur International Airport
60 days
Mexico APEC Cardholders are entitled to use immigration lanes currently designated for aircrew upon entry at major international airports. Where possible, APEC lanes are signposted. 90 days
New Zealand APEC lanes are signposted and located at:

  • Auckland International Airport – clearly marked lane in the arrival hall.
  • Christchurch International Airport-shared lane with aircrew, located in the arrival hall.
  • Wellington International Airport.
90 days
Papua New Guinea APEC lanes are signposted and located at:

  • Jackson International Airport (Port Moresby)
Peru APEC lanes are signposted and located at:

  • Jorge Chávez International Airport (Lima)
90 days
Philippines APEC lanes are signposted and located at:

  • Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila)
59 days
Singapore APEC lanes are signposted and shared with Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents at:

  • Changi International Airport (Singapore)
60 days
Chinese Taipei Signposted APEC lanes are available in both the arrival and departure terminals.

  • Chiang Kai Shek International Airport (Taipei)
  • Kaohsiung International Airport
90 days
Thailand Signposted APEC lanes are available in both the arrival and departure terminals at:

  • Bangkok International Airport
  • Phuket International Airport
  • Chiang Mai International Airport
90 days
United States APEC Cardholders are entitled to use immigration lanes currently designated for aircrew upon entry at all international airports Valid visas must be obtained if required by existing United States law
Vietnam Signposted APEC lanes are available in both the arrival and departure terminals.

  • Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
  • Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
60 days

Need help with your ABTC application?

We are the professionals when it comes to Singapore's immigration laws and regulations. Our reliable guidance and high success rate comes with 20 years of experience. Secure your ABTC with us.

Secure ABTC

Rikvin Services Incorporation Taxation Accounting Immigration in Singapore
Get a quote Request Call Back Have a question?

Contact Us

  • Rikvin Pte. Ltd. is a part of InCorp Group. All data collected in Rikvin.com website are part of In.Corp Global’s Privacy terms and conditions.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Learning Guide

  • Incorporating a Company in Singapore
  • Singapore Immigration and Work Visas
  • Singapore Taxation
  • Accounting Services
  • Singapore Business Infographics
  • Singapore Industry Guides
  • Rikvin Download Guides

Latest Posts

  • 5 Reasons to Outsource Your Corporate Tax Filing in Singapore
  • Why is ESG Essential for Companies in Singapore?
  • 5 Reasons Why ACRA Might Deny Your Company Registration Application
  • Sole Proprietorship or Private Limited in Singapore- A Comparative Guide
  • How Can A Foreign Company Register In Singapore?
InCorp GroupPrimeGlobal

Rikvin Pte Ltd

EA License No. 11C3030

30 Cecil Street,
#19-08 Prudential Tower,
Singapore 049712

+65 6320 1888

Company Registration

  • Company Incorporation
  • Subsidiary Registration
  • Branch Registration
  • Representative Office Registration
  • Offshore Company Registration

Immigration

  • Employment Pass Guide
  • ONE Pass Guide
  • Tech.Pass Guide
  • Singapore Work Visas
  • SG Immigration Options

Taxation

  • Corporate Tax Guide
  • Personal Tax Guide
  • Tax Filing Calendar
  • Singapore GST Guide
  • Transfer Pricing

Resources

  • Infographics
  • FAQs
  • Singapore Company Name Check
  • Income Tax Calculator
  • Incorporate Now

© 2023 Rikvin Pte Ltd (UEN 200708442E) An InCorp Group Company. All Rights Reserved.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Sitemap | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

© 2023 Rikvin Pte Ltd. UEN: 200708442E · All Rights Reserved.