Hello. This is Ito from IMS Legal Professional Corporation. Starting April 1st, the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) has transitioned from a plastic card format to a virtual ABTC (VABTC) through an app. Previously, it was necessary to carry the card, but now it can be downloaded onto a mobile phone for use. Additionally, with the card format, approved countries were listed on the back. Since the evaluation and approval decisions are made by each country or regional authority, the time required for evaluation varies. Therefore, in the past, it was necessary to obtain approval from all countries or regions before receiving issuance, or if approval from the desired country was obtained, an additional procedure was required for mid-issuance and adding travel destinations. However, as the approved countries or regions are updated continuously, it has become more convenient than before.
What is the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)?
ABTC aims to facilitate the movement of business travelers within the APEC region and began in 1999, with Japan commencing issuance in April 2003.
Current ABTC Participating Countries/Regions
Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam, totaling 21 countries/regions.
The United States and Canada are provisional members of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) system. While they can use the ABTC-exclusive lane (or priority lane) during immigration inspections, entry via ABTC is not permitted, and obtaining a visa is necessary.
Benefits of Obtaining ABTC
You can undergo immigration inspections without a visa and can utilize the ABTC-exclusive lane (or priority lane) during immigration inspections.
ABTC Validity and Renewal
It is valid for 5 years from the initial issuance. As it is associated with the passport number, if the passport expires and you wish to continue using ABTC, you can undergo re-issuance due to a change in passport number. In this case, the validity period is the remaining 5 years from the initial issuance. If you wish to obtain a new 5-year issuance, you will need to go through the procedures for initial issuance. If there are changes to personal details such as name in the passport, it will be subject to new issuance.
When the 5-year validity period is nearing its end and you wish to continue using ABTC, you can start the procedures 6 months before expiration. The procedure is for a new issuance application.
Travel to Russia with Virtual ABTC (VABTC)
As mentioned earlier, until March 2024, plastic ABTC cards were issued. However, from April, issuance of Virtual ABTC (VABTC) via an app has commenced. Since carrying a card is no longer necessary, there are no concerns about loss. However, Russia does not allow entry via VABTC, so to enter Russia, you either need to use the traditional card format ABTC or obtain a visa. Since issuance of card-format ABTCs has ceased after April 2024, those who do not currently possess a card-format ABTC will need to apply for a visa to travel. Additionally, it seems that procedures for visa issuance are available for those who possess VABTC, so please contact the Embassy of Russia in Japan for details.
Countries/Regions Introducing Virtual ABTC (VABTC)
Currently, 10 countries/regions including Australia, Brunei, Chile, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, and Thailand have introduced VABTC.
Due to recent increases in application numbers, the workload of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs APEC Office ABTC Division has become intense, and procedures have taken longer. Some materials have become difficult to obtain, leading to a situation where primary issuances have been suspended. We hope that the introduction of VBTC will lead to a reduction in procedure times.
