APEC Business Travel Card holders are now able to use the "fast-track" lanes for passenger clearance at all international airports in the United States upon entry, the Immigration Department says.

The move aims enhance the mobility of business people within the APEC economies, promoting business within the region. 

However, ABTC holders are still subject to the usual immigration clearance process as other travellers, such as presenting valid passports and where applicable, valid visas, for the United States.

Should an ABTC holder require a visa for urgent business travel and find that there are no appointments available for the next working day, he or she may fax the US Consulate General's office at 2147 3586 to request a special appointment slot.

There are 17 economies participating in the scheme, namely Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam.

Application criteria

In Hong Kong, applications for the card are open to local permanent residents holding Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards and valid national passports. Applicants must be bona fide businesspeople, free of criminal records, and they 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 the APEC economies.

The card is normally valid for three years. It is good for multiple visits of two to three months to participating economies without the need for a visa.

ABTC holders will enjoy streamlined immigration clearance at the control points of the participating economies.