In the current business environment where international trade speeds up and businesses conduct operations across borders, mobility stands as a fundamental requirement for professionals and business people along with investors. The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) functions as a strong tool which simplifies travel while reducing visa complications and boosting operational efficiency for Indonesian business travelers who work with partners across the Asia-Pacific region.
This article provides an extensive explanation about the APEC Business Travel Card for Indonesian nationals regarding their eligibility, advantages, application method, and crucial details.
What is the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)?
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) established the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) to provide visa-free entry and simplified business operations to pre-screened entrepreneurs across member economies. The program enhances both trade integration and financial cooperation as well as business movement between member economies. Through its full membership in the ABTC scheme Indonesia enables its qualified business individuals to benefit from expedited business travel to other member economies.
The ABTC offers numerous essential advantages to its users.
The APEC Business Travel Card offers the following benefits:
- Visa-free entry to most APEC countries for up to 60–90 days
- Use of fast-track lanes at major airports (similar to diplomatic or crew lanes)
- Valid for 5 years with multiple entry privileges.
- Eliminates the need for frequent visa applications and fees for each trip
- Enables greater flexibility for regional meetings, conferences, and business negotiations
The APEC member economies
The ABTC allows its holders visa-free access to the following countries:
Australia | Brunei Darussalam | Chile |
China | Hong Kong | Indonesia |
Japan | South Korea | Malaysia |
Mexico | New Zealand | Papua New Guinea |
Peru | Philippines | Russia |
Singapore | Taiwan | Thailand |
Vietnam |
What qualifications make an Indonesian person eligible to obtain an ABTC?
The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) exists to benefit Indonesian citizens who hold business roles as Directors or Commissioners and Shareholders of Indonesian companies. The Directorate General of Immigration of Indonesia sets particular requirements for applicants who want to qualify for the ABTC.
How to obtain an APEC Business Travel Card as an Indonesian citizen?
Applicants need to present and submit these required documents to support their application:
- Completed ABTC application form
- Application letter which must be sent to the Direktur Lalu Lintas Keimigrasian Up. Kasubdit
- Recommendation letter from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN)
- A bank reference which demonstrates IDR 500,000,000 of minimum account balance throughout three months.
- Copy of passport with a minimum validity of 2 (two) years
- Proof of business activity involving APEC economies within the past 6 months
- Police Clearance Certificate (SKCK)
- Passport-sized photograph (4×6 cm, red background)
- Proof of IDR 2,500,000 government fee payment to complete the application process.
Once submitted the Directorate General of Immigration will obtain pre-clearance approvals from other APEC economies. Each country needs to approve the card before it becomes valid within their territory.
The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) now exists only as a digital document because physical ABTC cards are no longer available. The digital card becomes accessible through the official ABTC application which you can download from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your mobile device after receiving login credentials from the Directorate General of Immigration.