
APEC Business Travel Card
01/03/2013Time is precious when you travel overseas for business, so why wait around in queues? In keeping with its role championing regional trade liberalisation, the APEC Business Travel Card is an excellent example of the way in which APEC works at a functional level to help promote individual business relationships.
Frequest business travellers around the Asia-Pacific region should consider applying for an APEC Business Travel Card and taking advantage of some of the considerable benefits, such as streamlined access to participating APEC countries.
It is a unique initiative that cuts through the red-tape of business travel and offering streamlined, pre-cleared access into most parts of the APEC community.
Cardholders enjoy: express immigration clearance through special APEC lanes on arrival and departure, no requirement to apply for visas or entry permits, multiple entry to participating countries for a stay of up to 90 days on each visit.
The card is valid for three years and is based on a unique electronic pre-clearance system, providing members with VIP entry into 17 APEC countries. APEC Business Travel Cards are available to all business people engaged in trade and investment activities, who:
• Are passport holders from participating economies;
• Travel frequently to conduct business activities in participating APEC economies;
• Have a clear criminal record.
Participating APEC members are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand,?United States and Vietnam.
Who can apply? The APEC Business Travel Card is available to business people engaged in trade and investment activities, who:
• are nationals of participating countries
• travel frequently to conduct trade and investment activities in participating APEC countries;
• have a clear criminal record.
To find out more information and to obtain an application form visit www.immigration.govt.nz/apec or www.businessmobility.org
You can post the downloaded and completed form, together with a passport-sized photo and NZ$150 to: APEC Business Travel Card Scheme, Immigration New Zealand, P O Box 22-111, Christchurch, New Zealand
Please allow two to three months to process your card, as pre-approved clearance has to be obtained from all participating countries.
For more information call 0508 558 855. If you hold a passport from another APEC country, you should contact the authorities there to find out how to apply for an APEC Business Travel Card.