Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| ABOUT THE CARD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1) What is APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) for? The ABTC scheme aims to facilitate the travel of business persons between APEC countries. Cardholders enjoy the following benefits:
The application fee for a new card is S$100 (non-refundable). Each card is valid for three years, or up to the validity of the passport, whichever is shorter. For the convenience of the applicant, the card will be sent to him at his mailing address when it is ready. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2) Which are the participating countries in the ABTC scheme?
Currently, 19 out of the 21 APEC economies participate in the ABTC scheme. The participating economies are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Besides being able to use designated APEC lanes at the 19 participating economies, cardholders are also entitled to use 'fast-track' immigration lanes (currently designated for air-crew) at all international airports in the USA, and the following designated airports in Canada:
As the USA and Canada are not participating in the ABTC scheme, ABTC holders travelling to the US or Canada will still be subjected to the existing immigration clearance process applicable to all travellers. The USA and Canada will also not be listed on the card. | 3) Who is eligible to apply for an
ABTC? | The following groups of Singapore Citizens are eligible to apply for the card:
| 4) How about Singapore Permanent Residents and foreigners
residing in Singapore? Are they also eligible to
register? | Permanent Residents (PRs) and foreigners have to apply for the card from their home economies. For example, a Malaysian who is a Singapore PR will have to apply for the ABTC from the Malaysian card-issuing authorities. | 5) How can I apply? | All applications must be submitted online at http://www.ica.gov.sg/. No counter applications will be accepted. The applicant need not make a trip to the ICA Building at all, as the card will be mailed by registered post to his mailing address when it is ready. | 6) I am a Singapore Citizen residing overseas. Am I eligible to apply
for the card? | As long as you are a Singapore Citizen and meet the application criteria, you are eligible to submit an application for the card, which is done online. The card will be sent to you by registered post when the application is approved. Please note that delivery may take longer for overseas addresses. | 7) Will I be able to obtain the card if a foreign participating
economy rejects my application? | Yes, as long as there are other economies that had approved your application. Please note that your card will not bear the economy code of the foreign economies that had rejected your application. As they had rejected your application, you would also not be able to use the facilities provided by that economy for ABTC holders when you travel there. Your entry to that economy will be subject to their prevailing requirements, which may include having to apply for an entry visa. | 8) How would I know which are the economies that I can use my
card to travel to? | The economies that have pre-cleared you will be listed on your card according to the following economy codes: AUS - Australia Cardholders from all participating economies are now also entitled to use 'fast-track' immigration lanes (currently designated for air-crew) at all international airports in the USA and designated airports in Canada. However, ABTC holders will still be subjected to the existing immigration clearance process applicable to travellers since ABTC holders are not granted pre-clearance by these two economies i.e. the USA and Canada will not be listed on the ABTC issued to applicants. This is because these economies are not participating economies of the ABTC Scheme. For summary information about arrangements
at airports, length of stay permitted, etc, please click
here: APPLICATION OF
ABTC | (First time ABTC Application, ABTC has expired or due to expire) | 9) What are the required documents when
submitting an application? | Before going online to submit an ABTC application, an applicant should have the following ready:
The letter of authorisation or support should be dated not earlier than 2 months from the date of application. The letter should state the occupation and the need for the persons to travel to the APEC countries frequently. In addition, members of professional bodies are required to attach a scanned image of his accreditation. Public officers Public officers may apply for an ABTC if they need to travel in their official capacity. Public officers of Division II and below will be required to submit a scanned copy of their department or Ministry's letter of support for their applications. | 10) Where can I find Date of Passport Expiry? | You can obtain information on the Date of Passport expiry on the passport's data page. | 11) How do I apply for a SingPass? | Information on how to apply for your SingPass is available at https://www.cpf.gov.sg/cpf_trans/ssl/singpass_req.asp. | 12) How do I know whether my ABTC application has been successfully
submitted? | An acknowledgement page will be displayed when an application is successfully submitted. Applicants are advised to print this page for reference. | 13) How would I know the status of my
application? | Once the application is approved, we would send a notification via email to inform you on the successful application. Alternatively, you can check the status of your application online at ICA's iEnquiry webpage at http://ienquiry.ica.gov.sg/. | 14) Will the system automatically log out if I take a long time
to key in the information? | The time it takes for you to be logged out of the system depends entirely on the operating system installed in your computer. | 15) If there is an error in the information that I have keyed
in, will I be able to retrieve and re-submit? | Our online application prompts users to check that their personal particulars have been correctly entered before submitting their applications. Hence, once the 'submit' button is clicked on your web application page, you will not be able to make further changes to the details submitted. However, should any of your particulars have changed after you have submitted your application, you can call 6391 6366 or 6391 6368 or email ICA_ABTC@ica.gov.sg for assistance. | 16) I have entered my details in the first two pages of the ABTC
screen. However, after that:
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| 17) I have been trying to attach my photo image online but it
keeps prompting me that the photo image does not meet your requirements. I
am also unable to view my photo image online. | You are advised to view the details of the error message. Please note the photo image criteria listed below:
| 18) I have managed to attach my photo image but after I clicked
on the "Submit" button, the system seems to hang. | As you are submitting the image online, depending on your PC configuration and network connection, it may take up to several minutes before your image file is uploaded to our server. | 19) I have managed to submit my photo image successfully but the
browser closes by itself and goes back to the main menu. | If your browser hangs or closes by itself, please check to ensure that security settings on your PC and browser are configured properly. You will need to enable the Java scripting and cookies in your Internet browser. If you are unable to proceed after submitting your photograph, you may wish to resubmit the application. | 20) I have submitted my payment details and the browser has
given me the transaction notification stating that my payment has been
approved. After printing the notification, I was not led to the next
screen. What should I do? | You can call 6391 6366 or 6391 6368 (during office hours) to seek assistance. Please have your transaction notification on hand, as we require the details on the transaction notification in order for us to assist you. Our office hours are:
Saturday - 8.00am - 1.00pm |
21) Can I authorise someone to submit my application online
using his Internet account? | Although it is possible to do so, ICA does not encourage such an action as it would mean that the other party would have access to your personal information and could subsequently abuse the trust you had placed in him by using your personal information unlawfully. | 22) What kind of software should I have in order to apply for
the ABTC successfully? | In order to apply for the ABTC successfully, your browser should be Internet Explorer (IE) 5.5 SP 2 or Netscape 6.0 and above. Your PC monitor screen should also have the resolution set to 1024 x 768 SGVA with 32 bits of color. | 23) Can I change the photo if I don't like it after submitting
the application on-line? | Our online application prompts users to check that their personal particulars have been correctly entered before submitting their applications. Hence, once the 'submit' button is clicked on your web application page, you will not be able to make further changes to your photo attachment.
| APPLICATION FEE | |
| PAYMENT | | 25) What are the payment modes available? | All registrations for ABTC applications must be made online and would require online payment by VISA or MasterCard credit/debit cards. | 26) How would I know whether my payment has been
accepted? | A receipt will be displayed online when your payment details have been successfully transmitted. Applicants are advised to print a copy of this receipt for reference. We would like to inform you that the online receipt does not constitute proof of successful payment. In the event that payment is unsuccessful, ICA will notify you accordingly and you will be required to make payment of the prescribed fee. | 27) Payment has to be made online prior to submission of
registration by VISA or MasterCard credit/debit cards. How and where can I
do that? In another application? I have a POSB card. Can I use that to
make payment? | When you submit your application online, you will be asked to make payment at the payment module, which is built into the ABTC application process. As long as your card is a VISA or MasterCard credit/debit card, you can use it to make payment. | 28) I do not have a credit/debit card. Can I send/ post a cheque to
ICA after I have submitted my application via online? | No, payment has to be made via VISA or MasterCard credit/debit cards during submission of application via our web application. | 29) Can I pay the application fee at the time of collection? If
not, why not? | No. Payment has to be made when you apply online. ICA will consider an online application as a valid one only after successful payment has been made online.
| COLLECTION | | 30) What is the expected processing time? | Each ABTC application takes at least three months to be processed as it has to be routed to all participating economies for a pre-clearance decision. Some applications may even take up to a year or more. If the applicant has indicated his priority economies (up to 5 economies only) at the time of application, the economies selected by him will be informed to expedite the pre-clearance. Please note that an interim card will be sent to the applicant only after all selected priority economies have pre-cleared the application. However, at the applicant's request, the interim card can be issued (only once before the final ABTC is ready) if more than 5 economies have granted pre-clearance. The interim card will only include economies which have granted pre-clearance to applicant. In other words, it will not include the priority economies selected by the applicant if they have not informed ICA of their pre-clearance decisions. The interim card is issued at no extra charge. If the applicant did not select any priority economies in his application, an interim card will be issued to him when at least five economies have pre-cleared the application. ICA will issue the final ABTC after all the remaining economies have processed the pre-clearance request. The issuance of the final card is contingent on the response of the remaining economies. Please note that some applications may take a longer time to be pre-cleared. Applicants are encouraged to submit the application for ABTC at least 3 months before the expiry of their current card. | 31) Where can I collect my card? | Once your application is approved, the card will be sent to you by registered mail within 7 working days. Please note that delivery may take longer for overseas addresses. | 32) How will I be notified when I can receive my
ABTC? | You will be notified by e-mail once your application for the ABTC is approved. You can also check the status of the application through ICA's iEnquiry webpage at http://ienquiry.ica.gov.sg/. | 33) What if I do not receive my ABTC after I receive my approval
notification? | You may call 6391 6366 or 6391 6368 or send an email to ICA_ABTC@ica.gov.sg to enquire.
| INTERIM CARDS | | 34) What is the difference between the interim and final
cards? | The interim card will bear a different document number from the final card. For both cards, only the economies that have granted you pre-clearance will be listed on the cards. However, as not all economies would have granted clearance when the interim card is issued, chances are that the interim card will show fewer economies' codes compared to the final card. | 35) (a) What should I do with the interim card after I have
received my final card? | (b) Can I keep my interim card as a spare, just in case I lose my final card? You are advised to destroy your interim card by cutting it into half and use the final card for your subsequent visits to participating economies. This is because the interim and final cards bear different document numbers. You may be inconvenienced as a result of using an outdated card. | 36) After I receive the final card, can I continue to use my
interim card? | You are advised to destroy your interim card by cutting it into half and use the final card for your subsequent visits to participating economies. This is because the interim and final cards bear different document numbers. You may be inconvenienced as a result of using an outdated card. | 37) Are the privileges/benefits of the interim card the
same as the final card? | Like the final card, your interim card will enable you to:
However, please note that your card is valid for use only in those economies listed on the reverse of the card. Participating economies that are not listed on your card have not pre-cleared you. Your entry to those economies will be subject to their prevailing requirements, which may include card holders having to apply for an entry visa. The conditions of use of the interim card is no different from the final card i.e.:
| REPLACEMENT OF ABTC (Interim and final cards) | 38) What if my card is lost or damaged? | You are advised to report the loss of your card at the ABTC application portal at http://www.ica.gov.sg to prevent the possible abuse of your lost card. The replacement fee for lost and damaged cards is $50. Please note that the replacement card will bear the same expiry date as the original card issued. | 39) If I manage to find my lost ABTC later, can I return the new
ABTC and use the old one instead? | Once the card had been replaced, cardholders are advised to use the new card. The card which is found subsequently should be destroyed by cutting it into half. This is because the replacement card bears a different document number from the old card. You may be inconvenienced as a result of using an outdated card. | 40) Would I have to replace my ABTC if I replace my passport
upon its expiry? | Yes. You would have to apply for a new card under the category of "replacement due to change of particulars (as reflected in your passport)" since there is a change in the Singapore passport number. You are reminded to submit your replacement ABTC only after you have collected your new biometric passport. | 41) Would I have to replace my ABTC if I change my personal
particulars? | Yes. You would have to apply for a replacement card under the category of "replacement due to change of personal particulars (as reflected in your passport)". Please note that you will first have to replace your IC due to change of particulars and update your changed particulars in your passport, before your card can be replaced. | 42) Would I have to replace my ABTC if I change a new passport
with a new passport number? | Yes. You would have to apply for a new card under the category of "replacement due to change of particulars (as reflected in your passport)". You are reminded to submit your replacement ABTC only after you have collected your new biometric passport. | 43) I have a valid final ABTC. Would I have to replace my ABTC if I want to
add Russia as one of the economies? | Yes. There are 2 options:
| 44) I have an existing interim ABTC. Can I request for Russia to be added into
my final ABTC? | Yes. You can submit your request under the category of "Request to add new economy". Please note that the pre-clearance decision is dependent on the respective authorities. | 45) Why must I pay a fee for a new card when a new economy joins the ABTC scheme?
If I don't replace my card, can I use the ABTC facilities offered by the newly-joined economy? | Any changes to the card issued will have to be treated as a new application as the application will be subjected to another round of clearance by the participating economies including the newly joined one. We would like to highlight that if you have not been pre-cleared by the economy concerned (i.e. your card does not bear the name of that foreign economy), your entry to that economy will be subjected to their prevailing requirements, which may include having to apply for entry visa. You will also not be able to use the facilities provided by that economy for ABTC holders when you travel there. | 46) How many days stay in Russia would a valid Singapore ABTC holder be eligible for? | Under the existing Russian legislation, ABTC holders can stay up to a maximum total stay of 90 days for every period of 180 days. | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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