Frequently Asked Questions

• The designated ports of entry where a card holder may use their card to enter are:
  1. Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby; and
  2. Tokua Airport, Rabaul
  3. Wutung, PNG/Indonesia Border Post

Based on PNG’s one visa policy, PNG may not grant pre-clearance approval if you already hold a PNG visa. You ABTC application may be declined if your visa is a long term visa such as an employment of a Permanent Residence visa. Your application will be placed on hold until you advise this Authority to grant approval on your application. PNG’s pre-clearance approval of your ABTC will automatically cancel any other PNG Visa you hold making it invalid for travel.

• The ABTC visa cannot be extended in-country hence the holder must depart PNG on or before the expiry of the allowed 60 days stay period.
• Relevant penalties under the Migration Act and its Regulation will be applied to card holders who exceed their stay period or breach the condition of their visa.

• Once your application is registered in the ABTC System, you are able to follow the progress of your application using the online status checker. You can track your approvals and request an interim card per your travel needs.
• Please note:
  • The five (5) years validity of your ABTC will begin on the date an interim card is issued to you.
  • An interim card is only valid for the economies which have currently granted your pre-clearance and are listed on the back of your APEC card. Should you have urgent or impending travel to participating economies that are yet to grant pre-clearance approval, it is in your best interest to obtain an appropriate travel visas.

** NB: This Authority will request an interim card on your behalf if advised accordingly on the application form (page 4 Part C where you indicate the 5 Economies)

• The ABTC can be used for both business and tourism purpose ONLY and not for gainful employment. An appropriate visa must be obtain by card holders whose purpose of visit to PNG is Employment.
• Relevant penalties under the Migration Act and its regulation will be applied to cardholders who abuse the condition of their visa

Please click on the link below to view information on ABTC lanes arrangement at airports, length of stay granted to APEC Cardholders are average foreign pre-clearance processing time.
Link: http://www.businessmobility.org/key/ABTCArrangementsMarch2006.html

There are currently twenty one (21) member economies participating in the ABTC Scheme, including, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Canada and USA are currently transitional members of the scheme, which allow cardholders from all participating economies to use ‘fast track’ immigration lanes at major international airports.

• The economy concerned will advise this Authority to inform the applicant to make contact with that particular economy. Therefore, as the affected applicant, you must ensure to make contact with the economy regarding your application to assist with their queries,ect.
• For confidently and jurisdiction reason, it is the prerogative of the foreign member economy to request for further information from the applicant should the need arise. The home economy can only undertake follow ups and does not have direct involvement in decision making of respective economies.

• Enables pre-cleared business travelers short-term entry to participate member economies
• Do away with the need to individually apply for visas or entry permits
• Save valuable time and allows for multiple entries into participating economies for the duration of the validity of the card which is (5) years.
• Enables faster immigration processing on arrival at special APEC lanes at major airports in participating economies.

The requirements for a new ABTC application are:

• Supporting Letter from any of the following business organization;-
  • Business Council of PNG
  • PNG Chamber of Commerce
  • PNG Chamber of Mines & Petroleum
  • PNG Fisheries Association
  • PNG Forestry Association
• IPA Business Registration Certificate
• Duly completed Application for APEC Business Travel Card
• 1X current Passport size photo
• Copy of valid PNG Passport bio i.e months or more
• Police clearance certificate
• New Application Fee – K400 (official receipt from Finance Cash Officer)

All ABTC applications must be lodged at the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority Head Office, Central Government Office, Waigani during our counter service hours which are from 8:30 – 12 Noon, Monday to Friday.

As eligibility criteria and people’s circumstances change over time there is no facility for cardholders to renew their APEC Business Travel Card. Instead, all applications are treated as new applications. As such, you will be required to submit a new application with the following requirements:

• Sponsorship letter from management requesting for the renewal/extension
• Duly completed application form for APEC Business Travel Card
• Copy of current/expired APEC Business Travel Card (front and back)
• Copy of valid PNG Passport bio-page i.e 6 months or more validity
• Renewal Fee – K300.00 (official receipt from Finance Cash Office)

If your card is lost/misplaced/damaged, please ensure to immediately report the matter to this Authority to facilitate for a replacement card. To apply for a new card we will require the following:

• Letter requesting new card
• Police report
• Replacement Fee – K300.00 (official receipt from Finance Cash Office)

• The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) was created by the APEC Economic Leaders in November 1995 to provide advice on the implementation of the APEC agenda and on specific business sector priorities. Its members are appointed by their respective leaders, and represent a range of business sectors, including small and medium enterprises.
• ABAC members meet every quarter and hold a yearly dialogue with APEC Economic Leaders to represent their recommendations.

ABTC Business Process

• Register application on ABTC System upon lodgment over the counter, **if all requirements are met;
• Issue registration receipt to applicant/client **the receipt contains the ABTC application #, which enables the applicant to conduct online checks on the status of pre-clearance by participating economies to give pre-clearance approval.
• Upon successful assessment of application, pre-approval is granted by PNG for participating economies to give pre-clearance approval.
• Upon granting of pre-clearance approval by 18 economies, the system automates printing of the card valid for 5 years ** ABTC is printed at the ABTC Centre in Brisbane Australia
• The printed ABTC is delivered to PNG Consulate General in Brisbane by mail for on-forwarding to our head office in Waigani by courier mail **takes at least a week or 2
• The card is released with a letter on the successful outcome of the applicant/client

• In the event that you receive a new passport or change your details on the current passport and the card is still valid, you must contact this Authority in order for changes to be effected on the ABTC system as well as reprint of your ABTC to reflect these changes.
• Please allow up to four (4) weeks for this process and your new card is to be received by you. It is advised that you take both your Old and New Passport with you when travelling, while waiting for your new card to arrive.

Current PNG ABAC representatives are:

1. Mr David Toua
    General Manager Corporate Affairs
    Steamships Trading Company Limited

2. Mr Isikell Taureka
    Executive Vice President PNG
    Inter Oil Limited

3. Sir Kostas G. Constantinou, OBE
    Managing Director
    Lamana Development Limited

Should you wish to apply for the card you need to be:-

• An established business person/or an employee of an established business in PNG/Minister/Departmental Head/officials engaged in the APEC meetings
• A holder of PNG Passport that is valid for 6 months or more
• A person who travels frequently to conduct trade and investment activities in the APEC region
• A person who has not been convicted of a criminal offence

The business community with the APEC region to represent by the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

• These economies are currently only transitional members. They will recognize the ABTC in selected airports to facilitate streamlined.
• Airport processing however, they do not provide a visa. All travel arrangements to these economies require you to research your own visa requirements.

This is because at the time you lodged your application, your passport had less than the 5 years validity remaining. Some member economies will also set your pre-clearance to expire on the same date as your passport.