(5/15/2004)
Travel has just become easier for the citizens of 14 member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) who hold the recently launched APEC Business Travel Card.
Those eligible to hold the card receive pre-cleared short-term entry to the other participating member countries, avoiding the hassles of applying for visa or standing in line for visa issuance at a local airport. Valid for three years and good for multiple entries, card-holders enjoy fast-track entry and exit through special APEC lanes at participating airports.
Participating Countries
To date there are 17 economies participating in the scheme offering reciprocal benefits to each other.
These countries include:
• Australia • Brunei Darussalam • Chile • Mexico • Chinese Taipei • Hong Kong (China) • Indonesia • Japan • Republic of Korea • New Zealand • Papua New Guinea • People's Republic of China •The Philippines • Malaysia • Peru • Singapore • Thailand
More APEC economies are expected to join the scheme over time.
The special services to APEC Business Travel Card holders is only available in Indonesia from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport and Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport.
Indonesia's participation in the program commenced on May 1, 2004.
How to Apply
Suitable for people from participating economies making frequent trip to other APEC countries, applicants must hold a valid passport and have never committed a criminal offence. Application should be made to the immigration authorities of the home economy.
The application fee varies, depending on country of residence. Indonesian nationals wishing to apply for a Card can do so by apply to the immigration office and paying a fee of US$200 once their membership has been approved and their card issued.
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