The APEC Business Travel Card simplifies border and immigration control procedures for citizens of APEC member countries when conducting business trips to all these nations. This card is issued only by special decision and is valid for 5 years. During this period, its holder can cross the borders of member states without applying for a visa.
APEC consists of 21 member states, including Russia since 2010. The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs represents our country in the organization, responsible for implementing projects within APEC on Russian territory.
The main goals of this organization include expanding export boundaries, sharing experiences, and streamlining logistics and customs control. The full list of APEC member countries where the card is valid includes Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, China, Chinese Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Chile, and Japan. The APEC card is also valid and issued in the USA and Canada, but since these countries are transitional members of the agreement, cards there are only valid for passing passport control through a designated corridor without a queue, meaning a visa still needs to be obtained.
Regarding the advantages of the APEC card, aside from the fact that its holder does not need to obtain a visa for 5 years (which saves a lot of time and resources), they always pass passport and visa control through the diplomatic 'green corridor' without the usual queue faced by 'regular guests'. The card is meant for business trips only, but according to feedback, questions are typically not asked at the border.
Why is it difficult to obtain an APEC card?
The APEC Business Travel Card is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only upon the recommendation and request of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and is not issued to private individuals. The procedure for obtaining the document is regulated by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated November 2, 2009, No. 1773 "On the Participation of the Russian Federation in the System of Using Cards for Business and Official Travels in the Countries Participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Organization."
First and foremost, the card is issued to employees of government bodies. In addition, employees holding managerial positions in companies focused on international activities in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation countries can also expect to obtain it.
The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs is the main body responsible for approving candidates and issuing the APEC card for Russians. However, if the company where the candidate works is not listed as a member of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs or does not have ties to other authorized structures, it is nearly impossible to receive a recommendation for the card issuance.
The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) in Russia is issued exclusively to Russian citizens officially employed by Russian companies. Russians working in foreign companies or abroad will not be able to obtain such a card and will not pass the verification.
Another challenge in obtaining the APEC card is the extensive list of documents that are often required for submission. This includes, in addition to the standard set for visa applications, recommendations from foreign partners, copies of signed contracts, a certificate of no criminal record, and more.
But even if all documents are collected, this does not guarantee that the coveted card will be in hand. The queue for obtaining the visa-free document is very long, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorized to issue no more than 30 cards per month. Since the beginning of Russia's participation in the APEC card agreement in late 2009, just over 2,000 cards have been issued, which clearly indicates the status of the individuals to whom they are granted.
The APEC Business Travel Card is a document that allows its holder to cross the borders of APEC member countries without the need for work visas for five years. This saves significant time and money, as each visa requires gathering a package of documents, paying the visa center (or consulate), and waiting a long time for issuance.
The benefits of the card are undeniable, but obtaining it can be quite complicated. Therefore, before applying for the APEC Business Travel Card, it is essential to check if you meet all the criteria mentioned in the article.
Source: habr.com
