How to Apply for an APEC Business Travel Card

If you hold an Australian passport, you can apply for an APEC Business Travel Card. You can be in Australia or overseas when you apply.

Application form

You will need to complete and submit an application. There are two application forms that can currently be used to apply for an APEC Business Travel Card.

Application for APEC Business Travel Card – for applicants applying under the current eligibility criteria which are expected to be phased out in the coming months.
See: Application for APEC Business Travel Card (155KB PDF file)

Form 1390 Application for APEC Business Travel Card – for applicants applying under the new eligibility criteria available on or after 16 November 2011
See: Form 1390 Application for APEC Business Travel Card (201KB PDF file)

If you are an employee of a registered business entity or Australian–based business peak body your application must also include a supporting nomination letter from the CEO, regional/country head or owner/director of the organisation.
See: Pro-forma Nomination letter ( 20KB PDF file)

The application checklist attached to each form details the information and supporting documents you must provide with your application.
Note: Incomplete applications may be delayed or, in some cases, refused.

Application charge

You must pay a charge when you lodge your application. This charge is not refunded if your application is unsuccessful. The preferred method of payment is by credit card.
See: Business Visits Visa Charges

Identity documents

In addition to providing us with a completed form you must provide a certified true copy of the page of your passport containing your personal details and photograph as well as a certified true copy of your Australian drivers licence. If you do not hold a current Australian drivers licence you may provide certified true copies of any two of the following documents:

• Credit Card (including signature)
• Medicare Card
• Foreign drivers Licence
• Telephone account
• Council rates
• The records of a tertiary educational institution you attended in the last 10 years (including name and date of birth)
• The records of a professional or trade association you are a member of (including name and date of birth)
• The records of a financial body of which you are a known customer (including name and address).

Only people from a designated list of occupations below are able to certify copies of your original documents.
See: Designated list of occupations and professions

No particular form of words is required by legislation but the department suggests the following wording be used:

In addition, the department recommends that the following information also be provided along with the above statement on the copy of the document:

• Signature
• Name in full
• Occupation
• Telephone number
• Date
• Address (optional)

Note: Your application cannot be processed if you provide uncertified copies to us.

National criminal history check

A national criminal history check will be conducted by CrimTrac to assess your eligibility for an APEC Business Travel Card. As all national criminal history checks must be undertaken with the informed consent of the person being checked, you must read the General Information about National Criminal History Checks and complete and submit the Consent to Obtain Personal Information Form.
See:
General Information about National Criminal History Checks ( 35KB PDF file)
Consent to Obtain Personal Information Form ( 31KB PDF file)

How and where to lodge an application

After you lodge your application

Information is available about what happens after you lodge your application.
See: APEC Business Travel Card Processing