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Speed your way through customs in Asia: Guide to the APEC travel card

June 21, 2024
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4 min read
Joyful young Asian mother and little daughter travelling together, they are pushing a luggage trolley with suitcases at airport terminal. Ready for a trip. Travel and vacation concept
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U.S. citizens who work in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation region may be eligible for a specific travel card that can fast-track them through the immigration processing at participating airports.

Here's everything you need to know about using an APEC Business Travel Card.

What is an APEC Business Travel Card, and where can I use it?

The U.S. APEC Business Travel Card Program is available to U.S. citizens and government officials engaged in business in the APEC region; APEC is an economic forum supporting free trade and economic prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. The group is comprised of 21 member countries, including the U.S.

APEC Business Travel Cardholders can access a dedicated fast-track lane for expedited immigration processing at the major international airports of each APEC country, specifically the U.S., Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

U.S. citizens with an APEC Business Travel Card may also use the card to enter the U.S. via Global Entry for expedited clearance through automated kiosks at 75-plus airports.

Who is eligible for an APEC Business Travel Card?

APEC Business Travel Cards are for U.S. citizens and government officials "actively engaged" in APEC business. More specifically, they need to be "a verified business person” involved in the "trade of goods, the provision of services or the conduct of investment activities in the APEC region," per U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Note: These terms do not include professional athletes, news correspondents, entertainers, musicians, artists or persons engaged in similar occupations.

Additionally, you must also be a member (in good standing) of a CBP trusted traveler program — specifically Global Entry, Sentri or Nexus — to be eligible.

How do I apply for an APEC Business Travel Card?

APEC Business Travel Card application page at Department of Homeland Security website DHS.GOV
APEC Business Travel Card application page at Department of Homeland Security website DHS.GOV

You can apply for an APEC Business Travel Card on the Trusted Traveler Program website. You can apply for the other trusted traveler programs on the website as well.

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"Check the box in TTP for the U.S. APEC Business Travel Card," according to CBP. "Then schedule a visit to any CBP trusted traveler enrollment center for an interview (if you are not already a CBP trusted traveler) and for electronic signature collection."

It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete the application.

Existing CBP-trusted travelers don't need to schedule an appointment and can instead visit any enrollment center to complete the interview process.

Stand-alone applicants should expect to pay a nonrefundable $70 application fee. Those applying for the card and Global Entry would pay $170. However, since Global Entry prices will soon increase, they will pay if they apply after the beginning of October.

Bottom line

Though only useful for a very specific group of travelers, U.S. citizens who participate in APEC business should consider applying for an APEC Business Travel Card if they would like expedited entry back into the U.S.

Related reading:

Featured image by D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.