Accelerate your customs experience in Asia: A guide to the APEC travel card

U.S. citizens employed in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation region might qualify for a unique travel card that expedites their immigration processing at participating airports.

Here’s all you need to know about utilizing an APEC Business Travel Card.

What exactly is an APEC Business Travel Card, and where can it be utilized?

The U.S. APEC Business Travel Card Program is open to U.S. citizens and government officials conducting business in the APEC area; APEC serves as an economic forum that promotes free trade and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region. This group includes 21 member countries, with the U.S. being one of them.

Holders of the APEC Business Travel Card can utilize a dedicated fast-track lane for quicker immigration processing at major international airports across all APEC nations, including the U.S., Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

U.S. citizens holding an APEC Business Travel Card can also use it to enter the U.S. through Global Entry, allowing for expedited processing at automated kiosks in over 75 airports.

Who qualifies for an APEC Business Travel Card?

APEC Business Travel Cards are intended for U.S. citizens and government officials who are "actively engaged" in business within APEC. Specifically, they must be "verified business persons" involved in the "trade of goods, provision of services, or investment activities within the APEC region," according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Note: These terms exclude professional athletes, news correspondents, entertainers, musicians, artists, or individuals in similar professions.

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

What is the process to apply for an APEC Business Travel Card?

You can submit your application for an APEC Business Travel Card on the Trusted Traveler Program website. Applications for other trusted traveler programs are also available on this site.

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

The application process should take about 10 minutes to complete.

Current CBP trusted travelers do not need to make an appointment and can go to any enrollment center to finalize the interview process.

Standalone applicants should anticipate a nonrefundable application fee of $70. Those applying for both the card and Global Entry will need to pay $170. However, since Global Entry fees are set to rise soon, this amount will apply if they apply after early October.

In summary

While primarily beneficial for a specific subset of travelers, U.S. citizens involved in APEC business should think about applying for an APEC Business Travel Card to enjoy expedited re-entry into the U.S.