The APEC Business Travel Card is a practical alternative to visas for business travelers working with participating countries. Where can you go with an APEC Business Travel card?
Let Thao & Co. delve into the details of its:
The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) can be issued to business people working in member economies.
The card facilitates business travel and promote close collaboration between companies from different APEC countries. APEC cardholders may conduct business and attend highly important events between member countries without the need for a visa.
With Decision 09/2023/QD-TTg, Vietnam officially acknowledges the legal validity of both physical and virtual APEC cards, promising a seamless experience during international business trips.
ℹ️ See also: Can I renew my APEC card?
The APEC Business Travel Card offers visa exemption to citizens from 19 member economies across the Asia-Pacific region.
APEC members include top Asia-Pacific economies, except for the US and Canada.
APEC card countries list 2025
| No | Countries | Abbreviations | Duration of Stay |
| 1 | Australia | AUS | 90 days |
| 2 | Chile | CHL | 90 days |
| 3 | New Zealand | NZL | 90 days |
| 4 | Japan | JPN | 90 days |
| 5 | Korea | KOR | 90 days |
| 6 | Taiwan | TWN | 90 days |
| 7 | Thailand | THA | 90 days |
| 8 | Brunei | BRN | 90 days |
| 9 | Peru | PER | 90 days |
| 10 | Mexico | MEX | 90 days |
| 11 | China | CHN | 60 days |
| 12 | Hong Kong | HKG | 60 days |
| 13 | Malaysia | MYS | 60 days |
| 14 | Indonesia | IDN | 60 days |
| 15 | Singapore | SGP | 60 days |
| 16 | Papua New Guinea | PNG | 60 days |
| 17 | Vietnam | VNM | 60 days |
| 18 | Philippines | PHL | 59 days |
| 19 | Russia | RUS | 14 – 90 days |
How useful is your APEC card? Check out some common questions below:
No: usage of the APEC card is restricted to business purposes. It is meant to facilitate trade and economic cooperation among APEC members. That said, you can always squeeze in some free time during your business trips to check out local destinations.
Using the APEC card for non-business purposes may result in refused entry. It’s best to apply for a tourism visa instead.
Yes! Hong Kong is an APEC member, so you will be granted a visa-free entry for a maximum stay of 60 days.
Sure! As a participating member of APEC, Japan offers visa exemption for up to 90 days for valid cardholders.
Unfortunately, no. India is not a member of APEC, so you’ll need to apply for a visa instead. Keep in mind that your type of visa should match your traveling purpose.
Although the US is part of APEC, it doesn’t offer visa exemption for cardholders. In other words, you’ll need a valid visa to enter the US. That aside, APEC cardholders may be entitled to priority immigration processing at US airports.
The APEC card is a gateway to expanded opportunities for business travelers. It is especially important in today’s economies, where international trade becomes a key strategy to growth.
Please note that the ABTC is reserved for business purposes only.
If you are looking for assistance with your APEC card application, let Thao & Co. help you navigate through legal hurdles.
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