The APEC Card (also known as the ABTC Business Travel Card) is a special document that allows the holder unlimited entry to 19 countries within the APEC bloc. With the APEC Card, businesspeople can easily travel between APEC countries for work, business cooperation, and attending meetings. The APEC card is valid for up to 5 years.
During the use of the APEC card, there are several instances where reissuance is necessary to continue its use. Below is a detailed guide on the procedure for reissuing the APEC card provided by Á Đông Company.
The APEC card is issued by a competent state agency within the APEC bloc to businesspeople who are nationals of their respective countries. It serves as a substitute for a visa (entry visa) to 19 APEC member countries, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Russia, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, New Zealand, Mexico, Chile, Brunei, Peru, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam.
Benefits of the APEC Card:
- Visa exemption to 19 countries.
- Flexibility in arranging time and work for sudden overseas trips without needing a visa.
- Priority in immigration procedures at border gates and exemption from residence procedures in 19 countries.
- Long-term validity, up to 5 years.
- Priority consideration when applying for a visa to the USA or Canada.
- Faster and more cost-effective than applying for a visa.
Businesspeople with an APEC card enjoy many benefits as mentioned in Section 1. Renewing the APEC card allows businesspeople to continue using the card to travel to APEC countries for investment activities, business cooperation, and contract signing. The renewal process is more convenient than applying for a new APEC card, particularly:
- Saves time as there is no need to reapply for approval to use the APEC card from the competent authority.
- The APEC card is valid for 5 years or according to the previous card's validity.
According to the current regulations on APEC card issuance by the Prime Minister, the APEC card can be renewed if it is still valid and there are no changes in position, agency, organization, or enterprise compared to the previous card issuance.
Cases for renewal:
- The APEC card is still valid, but the businessperson requests a renewal (only once).
- The businessperson requests to add more countries within the APEC bloc on the card.
- The businessperson has a new passport.
- The businessperson requests a replacement due to a lost APEC card.
- The businessperson requests a replacement due to a damaged APEC card.
The application includes:
- A completed application form for the APEC card (Download the form).
- Two 3x4 cm photos, facing forward, bareheaded, without glasses, with a white background.
- Depending on the specific case, businesspeople need to submit additional documents as follows:
If the APEC Card is still valid:
- A document confirming that the businessperson retains the same position as when the card was previously issued, along with the old APEC card.
If adding a country name within the APEC bloc on the card:
- The previously issued card.
If the businessperson has a new passport:
- The old card and a copy of the new passport.
If the card is lost:
- A report of the lost APEC card (Download the form) or a document from the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security, confirming the cancellation of the lost APEC card's validity.
If the ABTC card is damaged:
- The old APEC card.
Steps to follow:
Step 1: The businessperson prepares the application as guided in Section 4 and submits it to the Immigration Department – Ministry of Public Security.
Step 2:
- If reissuing the APEC card due to impending expiration: The Immigration Department will exchange the businessperson's personnel data with the competent authorities of APEC member economies and cancel the validity of the previously issued ABTC card. Then, the APEC member economies will review the applicant's personnel. Once all 19 countries have given their opinions, the Department will issue the APEC card to the businessperson.
- For other cases: The Immigration Department will reissue the APEC card to the businessperson without consulting APEC countries.
- If there are any suspicious signs, in addition to the documents specified in Section 4, the Immigration Department has the right to request the company to provide additional documents and materials for consideration. If the company or businessperson fails to provide the documents within 3 months, the Department will not process the application and will require the company or businessperson to reapply for permission to use the APEC card from the competent authority, meaning a new APEC card application must be started from scratch.
- In the case of reissuing the APEC card due to nearing expiration, both the businessperson and the company must ensure compliance with legal regulations during their operations to be eligible for reissuance.
The APEC card, once reissued, will have a validity period depending on each specific case:
- The APEC card is reissued for a period of 5 years from the date of reissuance in case the APEC card is about to expire.
- The APEC card is reissued with a validity period equal to the remaining validity period of the old card in the following cases:
- The businessman was issued a new passport.
- The APEC card is lost, damaged.
- Businesspeople propose adding country names on APEC cards.
The reissuance of APEC cards not only provides convenience for businesspeople traveling between APEC member countries but also ensures continuity in international business activities. Á Đông Law Firm is ready to assist esteemed entrepreneurs in the process of reapplying for the APEC card, ensuring full compliance with current legal regulations and procedures.
Please contact us:
A DONG IP – TRANSLATION – CONSULTANCY COMPANY
Room F2&F3, No. 2 Phung Khac Khoan Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Tel: 84-28 3926 0120 – 39260125
Email: consultant@a-dong.com.vn; info@a-dong.com.vn
Website: a-dong.com.vn
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