Hello, this is Ito from IMS Legal Professional Corporation. Today, I would like to guide you through the application process for a new VABTC card. You will need to apply online and upload the required document files. Once submitted, you will receive a fee payment slip with your receipt number and name, which you should print out, sign, and mail to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Required Documents
- Photograph
- ※Aspect ratio of 4:3, 600x450 pixels (recommended)
- Passport's identity page
- Proof of employment
- ※Must be issued within the last 3 months
- Certificate of company registration
- ※Must be issued within the last 3 months
- Documents demonstrating trade or overseas investment performance
- ※Must show trade or overseas investment activity within the past year or the most recent fiscal period
- Materials related to business operations
- ※Could include a business report, summary of company operations, or company brochure (pamphlet)
- Revenue stamps worth 13,000 yen
Partial List of Documents to Submit
(1) Proof of Employment Certificate
- Applicable to ABAC members, ABAC deputy members, and ABAC assistants.
- ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) is the sole official private advisory group to APEC leaders, comprising up to three business representatives from each of the 21 APEC member economies.
- ABAC Official Site
(2) Certificate of Company Registration
- ABAC members, ABAC deputy members, and ABAC assistants.
- Individuals affiliated with Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives), or the Kansai Economic Federation.
- The existence of the company can be verified from sources like financial reports.
(3) Documents Demonstrating Trade & Overseas Investment Performance
- ABAC members, ABAC deputy members, and ABAC assistants.
- Individuals affiliated with Keidanren, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Keizai Doyukai, or the Kansai Economic Federation, engaged in trade-related activities for disaster recovery.
- Entities approved or certified as AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) operators within the last year, a system where customs provide simplified procedures to businesses that have secured cargo management and compliance systems.
- AEO Program Details
(4) Materials Related to Business Operations
- ABAC members, ABAC deputy members, and ABAC assistants.
- Entities approved or certified as AEO operators within the last year.
- Business reports, company operation summaries, company brochures, and other related materials published on the company's website.
Review Period
Since approvals must be obtained in each country, it is not possible to request a shortened review period from Japan. Although it is typically advised that the process takes six months, it currently takes about a year. With the VABTC, the processes of card issuance and mailing are omitted, which is expected to reduce the duration.
Remaining Validity Period of Passport
The ABTC is approved in connection with the passport, so if you renew your passport and the number changes, you can no longer use the ABTC obtained before the change. Also, as the review period can span several months, and because some countries require a certain remaining validity period on the passport for entry (often more than 3 to 6 months), it is necessary to apply with a passport that has a sufficient remaining period. Passport renewal applications can be made when the remaining validity period is less than one year. Please check the remaining validity period of your passport before applying.
Furthermore, if you renew your passport after obtaining the ABTC, you will need to either reapply or apply for a new issue. If reissuing, the ABTC is granted for the remaining five years from the initial issuance. For example, if you received your ABTC in May 2023 and renew your passport in May 2024, and if you reapply, the remaining period would be until May 2028. If it is a new application, it will be approved for a new five-year period.
