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ANNEX
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Frequently-Asked Questions on the APEC Business
Travel Card
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Q1: What are the required documents when
submitting an application?
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A1:
Before going online to submit their applications, all applicants
should have the following ready:
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SingPass;
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A VISA or Mastercard credit/debit card (for online
payment);
v
One digital photograph (dimensions 400 by 514 pixels
is preferred; in JPEG format not more than 60 KB) that meets the
following requirements:
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Þ In colour taken against a plain white background;
Þ Taken within the last 3 months;
Þ Show the full face and without headgear of the
applicant (headgear worn in accordance with religious or racial
customs is acceptable but must not hide the facial features); and
Þ Between 25mm and 35mm from chin to crown.
v
The digital image of
the applicant¡¯s signature (in the same form as signed in his
Singapore passport);
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Business persons and members
of professional bodies
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Those
applying as business persons would need to submit a scanned copy of
the letter of employment at the company, or letter of
authorisation/support from their organisations.
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Members
of professional bodies are required to attach a scanned image of his
accreditation.
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Public officers
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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.
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Q2: What is the application procedure?
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A2:
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 to him
at his mailing address when it is ready.
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Q3: What is the expected processing time?
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A3:
The average processing time for each card is at least two months.
This is because each application has to be routed to all
participating economies for approval, and more time may be needed
for all economies to revert. For the convenience of the applicant,
an interim card will be mailed to him one
month after he submits his application, or after five or more
economies have pre-cleared his application, whichever is later.
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Q4: I am a Singapore Citizen residing overseas.
Am I eligible to apply for the card?
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A4:
As long as you are a Singapore Citizen and meet the application
criteria, you are eligible to submit an application for the card,
which can be 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.
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Q5:
Are Singapore Permanent Residents and foreigners residing in
Singapore eligible to apply?
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A5:
Singapore Permanent Residents and foreigners residing in Singapore
have to apply for the card in their home participating economies.
For example, a Malaysian who is a Singapore Permanent Resident will
have to apply with the Malaysian authorities.
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Q6: Do I still need to bring my passport when
using the card?
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A6:
The APEC
Business Travel Card is not meant to replace the passport as a
travel document. You will still need a valid passport to travel.
We also wish to
highlight that under the ABTC operating framework, it
remains the right of each economy to determine who may travel to,
enter and remain in that economy even after a person has been issued
with the ABTC.
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Q7: What if my card is lost or damaged?
A7:
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.
Q8: Will I be able to obtain the card if a
foreign participating economy rejects my application?
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A8:
Yes, as long as there are 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 APEC Business Travel
Cardholders 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.
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Q9: How would I know which are the economies that
I can use my card to travel to?
A9:
The economies that have pre-cleared you will be listed on your
card according to the following economy codes:
AUS ¨C
Australia
BRN ¨C
Brunei
CHL ¨C
Chile
CHN ¨C
China
HKG ¨C
Hong Kong (China)
IDN ¨C
Indonesia
JPN ¨C
Japan
KOR ¨C
Korea
MYS ¨C
Malaysia
NZL ¨C
New Zealand
PER ¨C
Peru
PHL ¨C
The Philippines
SGP ¨C
Singapore
TWN ¨C
Chinese Taipei
THA ¨C
Thailand
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Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
While Papua New Guinea and
Vietnam had announced their participation in the scheme, they
have yet to commence processing local or foreign card
applicants. They are expected to commence operations in the near
future, but no fixed dates have been set.
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