Name of the Organization : Investment Promotion Authority
Type of Facility : APEC Business Travel Card Scheme
Country : Papua New Guinea
Website : http://www.immigration.gov.pg/apec/42-apec-business-travel-card-scheme.html
APEC Business Travel Card Scheme :
Benefits for cardholders:
The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) cuts though the red tape of business travel, and gives accredited business people pre-cleared entry to participating APEC economies. Card holders enjoy:
** Fast-track entry and exit through special APEC lanes at major airports, and multiple short term entry to these economies for a minimum of 59 days stay each visit.
Related / Similar Service : Apply For PNG Passport Papua New Guinea
** No need to individually apply for visas or entry permits each time you travel to any of the participating APEC economies as the card is your visa.
** Cards are valid for three years from first issue.
Why the card was developed:
The APEC Business Travel Card was developed in response to the need for business people to gain streamlined entry to the economies of the Asia-Pacific region. This enables business people to explore new business opportunities, attend meetings and conduct trade and investment activities.
Participating Economies:
There are 20 economies currently participating in the ABTC Scheme: Australia, Brunei-Darussalam, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam. The United States of America and Canada are currently Transitional Member of the scheme.
Who is eligible?:
To apply for the card, you need to be a business person who:
** Is a passport holder of a participating economy i.e. citizen (or a Hong Kong permanent resident with any valid travel document);
** Travels regularly to conduct trade and investment activities in the APEC region; and
** Has not been convicted of a criminal offence.
Some economies require additional information and may impose additional eligibility criteria. Refer to your home economy for information and the application form.
Application for APEC Business Travel Card by PNG Citizens:
Just as applications by businesspersons from participating economies will be transmitted to PNG for approval, applications from PNG businesspersons will have to be transmitted to respective economies for their approval.
To facilitate movement and entry by PNG businesspersons into participating economies, procedures, requirements and migration service fees have been designed consistent with standards in the APEC Business Card Operating Framework.
Dependents:
Dependents of PNG APEC Business Travel Card holders will not be eligible for such cards and will be required to comply with entry requirements of the country they wish to visit.
Validity:
PNG citizen APEC Business Travel Card will be valid for two years in the initial instance but may NOT be issued for a period longer than the validity of the PNG passport. Once the initial cycle of cards is re-issued it is proposed that they will be valid for a period of three yeas, subject to passport validity, in keeping with the APEC Business Travel Card operating framework.
The APEC Business Travel Card Application Form, passport and supporting documents including a supporting letter from the relevant approved business organisation must be lodged at the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority head office, Waigani.
The Applicant must be:
** a PNG citizen and the holder of a valid PNG passport;
** of good character and is not the subject of criminal charges or court proceedings within PNG;
** a bonafide business person engaged in the trade of goods, the provision of service or the conduct of investment activities; and
** endorsed by an approved business organisation OR the applicant is a PNG Government Minister or senior official or an official actively engaged in APEC business.
APEC Business Travel Cards will not be granted to a business person’s or an official’s or Minister’s dependent spouse and children, persons who wish to engage in paid employment or a working holiday, professional athletes, news correspondents, entertainers, musicians, artists or persons engaged in similar occupations.
How to Apply (PNG Applicants):
** Complete the Application for APEC Business Travel Card.
** Pay the Migration Service Fee of K400 and attach the official receipt to the application.
Provide documentary evidence as follows:
** Supporting letter from approved business organisation
** IPA Registration documents (where applicable)
** Attach current, valid passport
** Attach two recent passport sized photos
Approved business organisations for PNG citizen applicants are:
** PNG Business Council;
** PNG Chamber of Commerce;
** PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum;
** PNG Fisheries Association;and
** PNG Forestry Association;
Where to Apply:
All APEC Business Travel Card Applications must be logged at the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority head office, Moale Haus, Waigani marked for the attention of the APEC section.