The APEC Business Travel Card gives streamlined access to participating APEC economies for New Zealanders.
The APEC Business Travel Card is recognised by participating APEC economies.
Members of APEC are:
Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China. Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, The Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, United States of America, Viet Nam.
We have been advised Russia will not accept the virtual APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC). Travellers to Russia must obtain a suitable visa before they travel.
All applications must include Criminal Record Check issued by the Ministry of Justice that is less than 6 months old at the time of your ABTC application.
You will also need to provide supporting documents highlighting your need for frequent business-related travel to APEC economies. A lack of sufficient evidence may result in your application being declined.
Supporting documents may include:
Send your completed application form, supporting documents and application fee to us. We accept credit card and debit cards for payment.
You can email your digital photo to:
The introduction of VABTC has made changes to the application process.
If your application is approved you will receive a link to download the ABTC app as a virtual card.
Virtual ABTC will be displayed on the app as you log in. Similar to the physical ABTC, the Virtual ABTC must be used with your valid passport.
New Zealand started issuing the Virtual ABTC in August 2021. Physical cards are no longer issued. This includes replacement for lost cards or passport updates.
If you hold a physical ABTC and have not heard from Immigration New Zealand about transfering to the Virtual ABTC email us. Provide your full name, date of birth, and a copy of your ABTC card or the associated NZ passport.
For more information and updates go to the Virtual ABTC page of the APEC website.
For more help contact:
The ABTC and Virtual ABTC meets a business person's frequent short term travel needs and does not replace visa applications for infrequent travel.
A genuine business person is engaged in the trade of goods, the provision of services or the conduct of investment activities. It specifically does not include:
APEC cards are valid for 5 years from the date the card is issued to you. The expiry date on your card will match the expiry date of your passport.
Your clearance will still be valid for 5 years. When you obtain a new passport, you must contact us with a scanned copy for us to update your details and issue you with an updated card.
If you get a new passport update your passport details by submitting a copy of your new passport bio-data page to us.
You will be notified when your new passport details have been updated on your VABTC, and you will need to login again using your new passport number to view this update.
All applications are treated as new applications. Cardholders cannot renew their APEC Business Travel Card.
You must submit a new application, photograph, and supporting documents to be assessed against eligibility criteria.
If you have a criminal conviction you will not be eligible for an APEC card.
Convictions concealed under the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 do not need to be disclosed when you apply for a card and will not affect your eligibility. These convictions will not be disclosed to other participating economies.
Note that the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 does not apply when you fill out forms while travelling overseas. You will need to declare these convictions on your arrival card(s) overseas. If you do not meet that economy’s entry requirements, you may be refused entry.
You will need to check the entry requirements with that economy’s embassy or consulate before you travel.
You can visit this website for their contact details:
Once your card application is approved by Immigration New Zealand, it is up to the other economies to decide whether you will be granted entry pre-clearance and there is no set timeframe. You can only travel to the economies that have granted pre-clearance.
You can use your application number (a five digit number at the top right hand corner of the acknowledgment letter and in the fee receipt) to monitor and track your application status online:
Note you will not be able to track the status online until New Zealand has approved your application. You can then confirm the other member economies which have approved for travel for the selected APEC Business Travel Card.
This online status is updated daily.
If your acknowledgement letter or APEC card includes incorrect data you must email us and tell us which information is incorrect.
Contact the police to report your card as lost or stolen.
Email us with the relevant information, detailing how and when your card was lost or stolen. We will issue you with a replacement virtual card. You will need to provide your passport number so we can easily identify you.
Email us to update your personal data.
You must submit a new APEC card application. We cannot change your name in the system once the application has been approved. Your passport details on your APEC card and the passport you travel with must match.
APEC cards can only be used for business purposes and cannot be used as a holiday, private, recreational or sporting visa purpose.
If you are not from a visa waiver country or terrirtory, you will need to apply for a visitor visa in order to travel to New Zealand for a holiday.
When you travel to New Zealand for business purposes with an APEC card, you are considered to hold a visa for New Zealand. You are exempt from holding an NZeTA.
Travelling for other purposes (such as tourism), requires an NZeTA or visitor visa.