Vietnam has started producing and processing APEC Business Travel Cards, to enhance the mobility of business travellers within the APEC economies, the Immigration Department says.

Seventeen economies are participating in the scheme - Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Hong Kong and the Mainland, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam.

All participating economies are now producing APEC Business Travel Cards and processing pre-clearance applications referred from other participants.

Card applications are open to people holding Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards and valid national passports. Applicants must be bona fide businesspeople, free of criminal records, and must not have been refused entry to any of the participating economies. Applicants should also have a need to travel frequently on short-term business visits to APEC economies.

The size of a credit card, the APEC card is normally valid for three years. It is good for multiple visits of two to three months without the need for a visa. Card holders enjoy streamlined immigration clearance.