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I recently got an APEC card, with validity for countries like Indonesia & China, which normally have higher visa-requirements for me as a UK passport holder than other countries (no visa-on-arrival, full-page stickers in my passport etc).

The APEC card is supposed to give me Visa-free access to those countries, but I am worried of traveling and then being bounced back at passport control. Can someone tell me from their own experience if they had any problems trying to cross the border with an APEC card despite normally requiring a visa to China?

lambshaanxy
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uncovery
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2 Answers2

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I have an APEC card. In a number of cases I have had visa free entry as a NZ citizen
(Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Australia) so do not need the card there.

In China I have used it once or twice without major hassles. It was more a matter of unfamiliarity on the part of officials that caused a slight ripple. eg the lack of a visa sticker in the passport needed to be explained on one occasion with reference to the card. As most airports have APEC cardholder lanes at customs this is usually not an issue. I did not feel under any threat of non-entry in China - which is what would happen without a visa as they have no visa on arrival arrangements.

Added 2023: At the time that this answer was written USA was not accepting all APEC cards and others were reciprocating by not recognising US issued APEC cards.

lambshaanxy noted: " ... the US is only a "provisional" member and does not grant visa-free access to ABTC holders, so other countries are returning the favor (or lack thereof)."

You need to ensure that your host country is 'playing nice'. In most cases this will not be a problem.

Russell McMahon
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I recently received my APEC card from the United States, but it did not work in Indonesia. The Indonesian officials are refusing to accept APEC cards issued by the US. I've been in touch with US folks about it and they are saying they are working to fix the problem, but its a matter of training the Indonesian customs officials which they have no control over.

Until Indonesia gets on board, US issued APEC card holders are out of luck.

Chuck
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