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Managing Australia's Borders

Advanced Passenger Information (API)

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What is API?

The Advance Passenger Information system (API) involves a government receiving data about travellers in advance of their arrival into the country. This data can include information about passengers, crew and transit travellers. The information can then be checked against warning lists and used for immigration processing, security and customs purposes. The main objectives of API systems are to provide advance warning of persons of interest travelling to the country and to facilitate passengers on arrival.

APEC Pathfinder Initiative

In 2001, APEC leaders issued a Counter Terrorism statement, part of which called on APEC economies to establish: 'Cooperation to develop electronic movement records systems that will enhance border security while ensuring movement of legitimate travellers is not disrupted.'

The implementation of API systems across the Asia-Pacific region would significantly enhance regional security and for this reason APEC leaders have endorsed API systems as an effective counter-terrorism measure and 'Pathfinder Initiative'.

Under the auspices of APEC Business Mobility Group, which the department chairs, Australia has provides a range of eligible economies with an API 'feasibility study' report. The reports identify a range of issues governments need to consider when developing their own API systems, including the current border management systems infrastructure and business processing.

Feasibility study reports have been completed for Thailand, Indonesia, Chile, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China.

Benefits of API

API provides significant benefits for all economies by maximising the security of travel and facilitating faster processing of legitimate travellers, while reducing opportunities for travel by unauthorised or improperly documented persons.

API provides for:

  • enhanced border security as it provides for more thorough checking of travellers
  • increased passenger facilitation due to passengers being 'pre-processed' before arriving at the border.

The implementation of API across APEC would also significantly enhance domestic and regional security by providing economies with advance warning of suspect persons travelling to the country.

Further information

More information about API and other APEC Business Mobility Group initiatives is available on another website.
See: Business Mobility Group website