Asia-Pacific Economic Business Travel Card (APEC) - For Malaysians only

19 APEC economies are fully participating members of the ABTC scheme: Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Two APEC economies are transitional members of the ABTC scheme: Canada and the United States.

ABTC holders granted preclearance by an APEC economy do not need to make a separate application for a visa or entry permit when travelling to that economy.

ABTC holders travelling to a transitional economy must present any visas, travel or other entry documents that are required by the transitional economy.

Both fully participating members and transitional members offer access to fast-track immigration lanes at participating airports.

The ABTC gives frequent business travellers: 

• Fast-track entry and exit through special APEC lanes at participating airports 
• Multiple, short-term entries to precleared APEC economies without having to make a separate visa application to fully participating members. 

When travelling to an APEC economy that is a fully participating member, ABTC holders do not need to submit a separate application for a visa if they have been granted preclearance to that economy.

When travelling to an APEC economy that is a transitional member, ABTC holders will need to present any travel or identity documentation required, such as a passport and visa or travel authorization.

Travellers are exempt from applying for a visa only from economies listed on the back of their ABTC. If you wish to travel to an economy that is not listed on the back of your ABTC, you must present any visa, travel or identity document that is required by your destination economy for entry. However, any cardholder can use the fast-track lane in APEC economies’ airports regardless of which economies’ names are listed on the back of the card.

Each economy has its own set of eligibility criteria for ABTC applicants. Generally, applicants must be businesspersons who:  

• Are citizens of participating APEC economies  
• Have never been convicted of a criminal offence; 
• Hold a valid passport issued by the home economy  
• Are bona fide businesspersons who may need to travel frequently on short-term visits within the APEC region to fulfil business commitments.  

It usually takes around 1-2 weeks for the approval from Malaysia.

• Students;
• A business person's spouse and children;
• Persons who wish to engage in paid employment or a working holiday; or,
• Professional athletes, news correspondents, entertainers, musicians, artists or persons engaged in similar occupations.