Updates on ABTC Application as at July 9, 2024
Update on Payment and Printing of APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)
Reference is made to the circular ITP/14/2023 on the Implementation of Virtual APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC).
Effective December 18, 2023, Unit APEC of the Bahagian VISA, Pas and Permit Putrajaya will be moved to the following address:
Unit APEC, Bahagian Visa, Pas dan Permit
Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia
No.15, Tingkat 5 (Podium)
Persiaran Perdana, Presint 2
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62550 Putrajaya
In this regard, all approved ABTC holders with “Final Card” status (pre-clearance approval from 19 countries) will be able to make payment and printing of ABTC at Unit APEC on Level 5 of JIM, Putrajaya. Kindly check the status of the card through the ABTC virtual application or check through the link: https://www.abtc-aps.org/abtc-core/status/check.html to ensure you have obtained the approval from 19 countries under APEC before proceed for the printing.
- APEC CARD APPLICATION FOR FMM MEMBERS ONLY
We would like to inform you that APEC card application with FMM is applicable for FMM MEMBERS ONLY.
If your company is NOT a member of FMM, you may refer to Immigration Dept's website at www.imi.gov.my to check further on other authorised government agencies / chambers / associations providing "Support Letter" for the APEC card application.
MINIMUM FIVE (5) TIMES TRAVEL PASSPORT CHOPS FROM JUNE 2022 TO THE CURRENT MONTH REQUIRED FOR APEC CARD APPLICATION
With immediate effect, applicant is required to submit the following documents to support your APEC card application:
Minimum 5 times travel passport chops to APEC countries from June 2022 to the current month to prove that the applicant is a frequent traveller to APEC countries.
(The current / expired APEC Card Copy is not acceptable to prove that the applicant is a frequent traveller to APEC countries)
- WALK-IN TO IMMIGRATION DEPT IN PUTRAJAYA FOR THE PRINTING OF APEC CARD
With immediate effect, applicant is NOT REQUIRED to schedule an appointment with APEC Unit of Immigration Dept in Putrajaya to print the APEC card.
You may now WALK-IN to print the APEC card once all the 19 economies have approved the application at APEC Unit of Immigration Dept in Putrajaya.
- LETTER FROM COMPANY TO IMMIGRATION DEPT FOR APEC CARD APPLICATION
With immediate effect, "Letter from Company to Immigration Dept, Malaysia" must be signed by only
the Director listed in the Company SSM and e-signature is NOT acceptable.
- E-SIGNATURE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR APEC CARD APPLICATION
Please note that e-signature is NOT acceptable for APEC card application.
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APEC Business Travel Card Application
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The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) provides the following benefits:
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1.
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Cardholder is granted with pre-cleared, multiple entry (no visa requirement) to participating APEC economies for short stay business visits.
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2.
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Cardholder is NOT required to individually apply for visa or entry permit each time he / she travels to any of the participating APEC economies as the APEC Business Travel Card is the VISA.
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3.
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Cardholder is able to access to express immigration processing on arrival and departure through “Special APEC-Marked Lanes”.
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Currently, 19 APEC economies participate in the ABTC scheme. Below is the list of 19 participating economies:
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- Australia
- Brunei Darussalam
- Chile
- China
- Hong Kong (China)
- Indonesia
- Japan
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- Korea
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Philippines
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- Russia
- Singapore
- Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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As the US and Canada are not participating in the ABTC scheme, all ABTC card holders travelling to the US or Canada will still be subjected to the existing immigration clearance process at the destination.
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How to Apply for APEC Business Travel Card with FMM?
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(A) COMPANY ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD
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The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) is authorised by the Immigration Department of Malaysia to issue ABTC support letter for our registered members.
As such, FMM is able to process ABTC application for FMM MEMBERS only. Please click here to check on your membership status.
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Company that is NOT ELIGIBLE for ABTC application with FMM is as follows:
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1.
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Non-Member
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2.
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Subsidiary to a Member Company
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3.
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Suspended Member
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4.
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Sole Proprietor or Partnership
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(B) RENEWAL OF APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD
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There is NO RENEWAL for APEC card. Once the APEC card has expired, the applicant must submit a new application for approval. You may refer to the application process below.
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(C) PERSONNEL ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD
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To qualify for the ABTC application, you have to fulfill the following conditions:
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1.
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Must be a Malaysian citizen holding a valid passport with validity of more than three (3) years.
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2. |
A frequent traveller to APEC countries.
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3.
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A member of the business and investment community who has activities of trade and investment with 19 APEC economies.
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4. |
The member of the business and investment community (Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, Director, Managing Director, General Manager and Marketing Manager) must be endorsed by the appointed regulatory agencies through a "Supporting Letter".
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• PERSONNEL ELIGIBLE for the ABTC application is as follows:
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1.
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Chief Executive Officer
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6.
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Executive Director
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11.
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Branding Manager
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2.
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Chief Operating Officer
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7.
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Director
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12.
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Business Development Manager
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3.
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Chief Financial Officer
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8.
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General Manager
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13.
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Export Manager
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4.
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Chairman / President
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9.
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Marketing Manager
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14.
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Import Manager
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5.
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Managing Director
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10.
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Sales Manager
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15.
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Procurement Manager
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• PERSONNEL NOT ELIGIBLE for the ABTC application is as follows:
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1.
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Admin Manager
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6.
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Finance Manager
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11.
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Production Manager
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2.
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Company Secretary
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7.
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Head of Division
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12.
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Project Manager
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3.
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Consultant
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8.
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HR Manager
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13.
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Technical Advisor
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4.
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Engineering Manager
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9.
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IT Manager
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14.
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Technical Manager
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5.
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Factory Manager
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10.
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Assistant Manager
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15.
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Personal Assistant
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(D) APPLICATION PROCESS TO APPLY FOR APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD
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The following are the seven (7) steps application process to apply for the APEC card through FMM:
Step 1: Documents Requirements
The applicant is required to submit the following documents to FMM:
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DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
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1.
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Completed Checklist of Documents Required
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2.
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Completed ABTC Application Form written in capital letters with black ink and original signature.
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3.
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Letter from Company to Immigration Department, Malaysia to be typed on company letterhead and must be signed by only the Director listed in the latest Company SSM and e-signature is NOT acceptable.
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4.
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Letter on Applicant's Job Function and Company Profile to be typed on company letterhead.
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5.
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Letter from Company to FMM to be typed on company letterhead.
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6.
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One (1) copy of Malaysian passport biodata page with validity of more than three (3) years (passport validity with less than three (3) years will be rejected).
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7.
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One (1) copy of Malaysian Identity Card (IC).
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8.
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Copies of minimum 5 times travel passport chops to APEC countries from June 2022 to the current month to prove that the applicant is a frequent traveller to APEC countries
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9.
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One (1) recent passport-sized photograph with collared-shirt in blue background
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10.
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Payment of RM35.00 per application and non-refundable. Attach the payment slip or cheque together with the application
Payment can be made via the following methods:
a) Payment via Online (Please opt for GIRO TRANSFER)
FMM Bank Account No: 5142 0833 0768 (MAYBANK) [ FMM do not accept "Instant Transfer"]
b) Payment by Cheque
Cheque Payable to: FEDERATION OF MALAYSIAN MANUFACTURERS
Cheque Crossed: ACCOUNT PAYEE ONLY
c) Payment by Cash Over the Counter (Applicable at FMM Head Office, KL only)
Payment by cash over the counter is only applicable at FMM Head Office, KL
Payment by cash is NOT applicable at FMM Branches
Invoice & Receipt will be issued to company after the payment has been made
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11.
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The completed documents to be sent to the following address:
FEDERATION OF MALAYSIAN MANUFACTURERS (FMM)
(ABTC UNIT @ International Business Division)
Wisma FMM
No.3, Persiaran Dagang
PJU 9, Bandar Sri Damansara
52200 Kuala Lumpur
(Attn: Ms Ida Tan)
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(E) CHECKLIST, APPLICATION FORM & SAMPLE LETTERS FOR DOWNLOAD
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Step 2: Verifying Process & Issuance of Supporting Letter
Upon receiving the ABTC application with supporting documents and proof of payment, FMM would check and verify the documents. Upon verification of the documents, FMM would prepare and issue the ABTC supporting letter for the applicant.
Step 3: Submission of ABTC Application
FMM would compile the ABTC application together with the supporting documents and supporting letter to be submitted to the ABTC Unit of Immigration Department of Malaysia in Putrajaya.
Step 4: Issuance of ABTC Application Tracking Number
Upon receiving the ABTC application form, supporting documents and supporting letter, ABTC Unit of Immigration Department of Malaysia would check and verify the documents. Once the application has been verified, they will issue a tracking number to FMM. (Currently, the standard lead time for FMM to receive the tracking number is within 2-4 weeks from the date of submission)
Step 5: Tracking the Status of Your Application
FMM would email the ABTC application tracking number to applicant to start tracking the status of the application. The applicant is required to track the status of his/her application using the tracking number given via: http://www.abtc-aps.org/abtc-core/status/check.html. (FMM will NOT track the status of the application for applicants)
Step 6: Vetting of Application by 19 Economies
If you are assessed as an eligible applicant by the Immigration Department of Malaysia, your application would then be forwarded to all the 19 participating APEC economies for approval. These economies may vet your application against their Immigration requirements to determine your clearance of entry.
Step 7: Length of Time Required for Approval by 19 Economies
The length of time required for approval by the 19 economies could vary significantly and it is not controlled by FMM or Immigration Department of Malaysia. It is estimated that the approval by the 19 economies would take within 2 - 4 months or longer.
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(F) IMPLEMENTATION OF VIRTUAL APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD (ABTC) &
PRINTING OF PHYSICAL APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD
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The Immigration Department of Malaysia has moved towards virtual ABTC effective October 24, 2023. With the virtual ABTC, there is no requirement to print out the physical card.
But however, Malaysia has opted for hybrid approach in which, both the virtual ABTC application (digital version of your current physical card that will be accessible through your mobile smart device) and physical card can be utilised for visa-free and APEC priority lane at APEC countries (with the exception of United States and Canada).
In view of that, please note that Immigration Dept of Malaysia is still printing the physical APEC Business Travel Card.
As Malaysia has opted for a hybrid approach, existing ABTC holders are strongly advised not to destroy or dispose their physical cards. It is also advisable for the approved ABTC applicants to print the physical card from Immigration Dept of Malaysia to avoid potential technical glitches at the Immigration gate upon arrival as a screenshot of ABTC is not allowed and ABTC holders MUST show the live status obtained from the downloaded ABTC application on the mobile smart device.
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(G) HOW TO OBTAIN VIRTUAL ABTC AFTER YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE
APPLICATION TRACKING NUMBER
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1.
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After you have received the application tracking number, you will receive a “system generated email” within 2 - 4 weeks from "E9 - ABTC Core Application by ABTC Project Overseer in Australia" to download the app for the use of virtual ABTC.
Search for ‘ABTC’ on the Apple App Store or Google Play and download the app for your Apple or Android device and use the Application Number along with your personal details to register, login and access your virtual ABTC.
Below is the sample of the “system generated email” from APEC, for your information:
https://www.fmm.org.my/upload/ABTC System Generated Email from APEC.pdf
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2.
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The system generated email will be sent to the email stated in the “Immigration Dept Application Form” in your application submitted to FMM earlier. Please also check your junk or spam mail folder.
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3.
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If you did not receive the system generated email from APEC Unit, you are required to email to apec@imi.gov.my to request them to resend the email again by providing the name of applicant, passport number, tracking number and email address.
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4.
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You will NOT be able to download the app for the use of virtual ABTC if you did not receive the system generated email from APEC Unit.
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5.
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Once you have received the system generated email from APEC Unit, the list of countries that have approved the application will appear in the app and you can immediately make use of the visa.
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(H) HOW TO COLLECT YOUR APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD
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1.
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With immediate effect, you are NOT REQUIRED to schedule an appointment with ABTC Unit of Immigration Department of Malaysia to request for the APEC card to be printed.
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2. |
The Applicant or Representative may now WALK-IN to print the APEC card once all the 19 economies have approved the application.
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3.
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The APEC card can only be printed at Immigration Department of Malaysia in Putrajaya.
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4.
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FMM will NOT collect the APEC card on behalf of the applicant.
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You may choose the following options to print the APEC card:
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OPTION 1 (By Applicant)
If you wish to collect personally, you are required to submit the following:
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1.
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Current original passport and a copy of the latest passport biodata page
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2.
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A fee of RM100.00 to be made via debit card or credit card
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3.
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Cash / money order / bank draft is NOT acceptable at the counter
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4.
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Payment & collection should be made directly at:
APEC Unit, Bahagian Visa, Pas dan Permit
Immigration Department of Malaysia
No.15, Level 5 (Podium)
Persiaran Perdana, Presint 2
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62550 Putrajaya
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OPTION 2 (By Representative)
If you wish to send a representative to collect on your behalf, you are required to submit the following:
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1.
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Authorisation letter from company
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2.
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A copy of representative's identity card (IC)
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3.
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A copy of applicant's latest passport biodata page
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4.
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A fee of RM100.00 to be made via debit card or credit card
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5.
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Cash / money order / bank draft is NOT acceptable at the counter
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6.
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Payment & collection should be made directly at:
APEC Unit, Bahagian Visa, Pas dan Permit
Immigration Department of Malaysia
No.15, Level 5 (Podium)
Persiaran Perdana, Presint 2
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62550 Putrajaya
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Website of Immigration Department of Malaysia
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For the latest updates on ABTC application, you may also click here to visit the website of Immigration Department of Malaysia.
Ms Ida Tan
ABTC Unit @International Business Division
Tel: 03-6286 7200
Email: abtc@fmm.org.my
As at September 9, 2024