APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC): Fast-Track Immigration and Visa-Free Travel
The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) makes it easier for business travelers to move between economies in the Asia-Pacific region. If you travel often for work, this card helps save time and skip visa applications in many APEC economies.
What Is It?
The ABTC is a travel card issued to business people and certain government officials. It allows multiple short business visits (up to 60 or 90 days, depending on the destination) to fully participating APEC economies, without needing to apply for a visa each time. The card also gives fast-track immigration access at major international airports across the region.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you generally need to:
Be a citizen of a participating APEC economy (or a permanent resident in Hong Kong, China)
Hold a valid passport
Travel frequently for business in the APEC region
Have no criminal record
Each economy may also have extra requirements, so check with your local APEC contact or government website.
Which Economies Participate?
Fully participating members (pre-clearance and fast-track lanes):
Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam
Transitional members (fast-track lanes only):
Canada, United States
(Note: You still need to present required visas to enter these countries.)
How to Apply
You apply through your home economy (where you hold a passport or permanent residence). After your home economy approves your application, your details are sent to the other participating economies for pre-clearance.
Once pre-clearance is granted, you’ll receive an ABTC that lists the economies you can enter without a visa. This process can take 2–3 months or longer, depending on the economies involved.
Benefits of the ABTC
No need to apply for separate visas for listed economies
Fast-track lanes at airports
Valid for up to five years
Virtual ABTC now available in many economies (usable on your smartphone)
Important Notes
Always travel with your passport—the ABTC is not a replacement.
You can only skip the visa process in economies that have granted you pre-clearance (listed on the back of the card).
You can still use fast-track lanes in all participating economies, even if that economy isn’t on your card.
If your passport changes or expires, you may need to apply for a new ABTC.
The ABTC is for business travel only, not for tourism, family members, students, or entertainers.
Virtual ABTC
Some economies now offer a Virtual ABTC, which works the same way as the physical card, but is stored on your smart device. Economies offering this as of 2025 include:
Australia, Brunei, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam
