APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD (ABTC)

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum initiated the ABTC to promote and facilitate business and investments within the region. The card will help reduce the time and cost to business travelers in meeting the visa and entry requirements to APEC member economies. Currently, it gives accredited businesspersons pre-cleared status to the following participating economies:

• Australia
• Brunei Darussalam
• Chile
• Hong Kong SAR
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Malaysia
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Peoples Republic of China
• Peru
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Taiwan
• Vietnam

Qualifications of Applicants

• Applicant must be a Filipino citizen;
• Applicant with business travel frequency of at least three times a year within APEC at the time of application;
• Applicant has not been convicted of criminal offense;
• Company must be a PHILEXPORT member of good standing; and
• Company and/or applicant must not be included in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) watch list.

How to Apply?

APEC Business Travel Card application forms are now available at PHILEXPORT, Export Facilitation and OSEDC Department and can be accessed through website at http://www.dfa.gov.ph/abtc/abtcscheme.htm.

Processing Fees:
            Pre-processing Fee:            P1,000.00
                (Upon submission of requirements)
            Application Fee:            P1,000.00
                (Upon release of the APEC Card)

Requirements

For new Applicants:

• Duly accomplished ABTC application form (original plus 1 photocopy);
• Recent passport size photograph (3 copies);
• Original copy of valid NBI clearance for travel abroad (on the time of application);
• Original copy of valid Bureau of Immigration (BI) Clearance;
• Photocopy of passport pages with visa and arrival/departure stamps (providesummary of trips);
• Company certification stating that the applicant:
  1. Holds an executive or managerial position in the company;
  2. Includes duties and responsibilities;
  3. Has not been previously denied entry to participating APEC member countries;
  4. Intends to visit participating APEC member countries for commercial or business purposes for the next coming months.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (to include statement of the basis/justification to hold an ABTC)
• Company Profile to include:
  1. Total capitalization of the company;
  2. Organizational chart;
  3. Name(s), address(es) and telephone(s)/fax(es) and email(s) of business partners in APEC;
  4. Past and current business activity in APEC;
  5. Annual volume (in peso or dollar) of past and current transactions with business partners in APEC;
  6. Other pertinent information to justify issuance of an ABTC.

For Renewal:

• Duly accomplished ABTC application form (original plus 1 photocopy);
• Recent passport size photographs (3 copies);
• Photocopy of old passport pages with visa and arrival/departure stamps (provide summary of trips);
• Photocopy of new and existing passport pages;
• Photocopy of the APEC Business Travel Card.

Benefits

• Pre-cleared short –term entry to participating economies (no need to apply for visa entry permit for each travel);
• Multiple entry to participating economies (card is valid for three years or upon the expiry date of the cardholder’s passport, whichever comes first);
• Faster immigration processing on arrival via access to fast-track entry and exit through special APEC lanes at major ports;
• Expedited visa interview scheduling at US Embassies and Consulates in APEC Economies;
• For NAIA & Centennial airports, use of the special lane for airline crews and diplomats.

* ABTC Philippines may limit the number of ABTC issuance for officials representing one company, depending on the company size, capitalization or type (e.g. family-owned)

For further information, you may contact:

Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc.
Export Facilitation & OSEDC Department (EFOD)
Ms. Dianne D.V. Masalunga
EFOD Manager

Export Facilitation Staff:
Ms. Mimi Valle
Ms. Lyza Minelly Macabuag
Tel. Nos.: (02) 833-7682; 834-2353
Telefax: 831-2132
Email: efosedc@philexport.ph
Website: http://www.philexport.ph

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
Office of the Consular Affairs
ABTC – Philippine Desk
Visa Division
Ms. Judy Robianes
Mr. Emmanuel Paulino
Tel. Nos.: (02) 8834-3707; 834-4854
Fax No.: 831-8971
Website:  http://www.dfa.gov.ph

Bureau of Immigration (BI)
Atty. Marcella Lauan
Legal Officer
Magallanes Drive, Intramuros Manila
Tel. Nos.: 527-3277; 527-3248
Website: http://www.immigration.gov.ph