APEC Business Travel Card Processing
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What we do
If you do not hear from us for a while, do not be concerned. The time taken for an application to be processed can be lengthy and includes two separate stages. The first stage of processing is conducted by the APEC Business Travel Card Unit in our Brisbane Office. This involves an assessment as to your eligibility for an APEC Business Travel Card.
As a guide, when all information is supplied with an application, we are working to finalise eligibility assessments within 6 to 8 weeks. Applications that are more complex, or incomplete, may take longer to finalise.
What other economies do
If you are assessed as being eligible for an APEC Business Travel Card, other economies participating in the APEC Business Travel Card scheme will vet your application and issue visas and/or entry permits as necessary. This second stage of processing is commonly referred to as the pre-clearance process.
Important: The department has no control over this stage of the process and each APEC economy retains its sovereign right to refuse you pre-clearance to their economy.
As a guide, most economies are working to finalise the pre-clearance process within 2 to 3 months.
Tracking the progress of your application
If you are notified by the department that you have been assessed as being eligible for an APEC Business Travel Card, you can track the status of your clearances from other economies online.
See: Business Mobility Group – Participating economies
Interim cards
If you are notified by the department that you have been assessed as eligible for an APEC Business Travel Card, you may request an interim card. An interim card provides you with pre-clearance to a maximum of 5 economies participating in the APEC Business Travel Card scheme. It can be used while you wait for remaining economies to finalise their pre-clearance process.
To request an interim card, please complete the form below. When completing the form, please specify the economies (a maximum of five) from which you seek urgent pre-clearance.
See: APEC Business Travel Card Enquiry Form
Changes to your circumstances
It is important that you tell us about any changes to your circumstances including your name, passport, contact details or the cessation of your employment from the position you held when you applied for the APEC Business Travel Card.
To advise us of your changes in circumstances, please complete the form below.
See: APEC Business Travel Card Enquiry Form