Updates on ABTC Application as at November 7, 2023
• 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.
• Important Note:
MINIMUM FIVE (5) TIMES TRAVEL PASSPORT CHOPS FROM
JUNE 2022 TO JUNE 2023 REQUIRED FOR APEC CARD APPLICATION
With immediate effect, applicant is required to submit the following document
to support your APEC card application:
Minimum 5 times travel passport chops to APEC countries from
June 2022 to June 2023 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 with the approval of
19 economies at APEC Unit of Immigration Dept in Putrajaya.
• E-SIGNATURE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR APEC CARD APPLICATION
We would like to inform you 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:
• Cardholder is granted with pre-cleared and multiple entry (no visa requirement) to participating
APEC economies for short stay business visits.
• Cardholder is NOT required to individually apply for visa or entry permit each time he/she travel
to any of the participating APEC economies as the APEC Business Travel Card is the VISA.
• Cardholder is able to access to express immigration processing on arrival and departure through
"Special APEC-Marked Lanes".
Currently, 19 out of the 21 APEC economies participate in the ABTC scheme. Below is the list of 19 participating economies:
- Australia
- Brunei Darussalam
- Chile
- China
- Hong Kong (China)
- Indonesia
- Japan
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- Korea
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
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- Philippines
- 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.
•-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------•
(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.
Please click here to check on your membership status.
Company that is NOT ELIGIBLE for ABTC application with FMM is as follows:
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.
(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:
• Must be a Malaysian citizen holding a valid passport with validity of more than three (3) years.
• A frequent traveller to APEC countries.
• A member of the business and investment community who has activities of trade and
investment with the 19 economies
• 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".
• PERSONNEL ELIGIBLE for the ABTC application is as follows:
1.
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Chief Executive Officer
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2.
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Chief Operating Officer
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3.
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Chief Financial Officer
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4.
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Chairman / President
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5.
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Managing Director / Executive Director
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6.
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Director
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7.
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General Manager
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8.
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Marketing Manager
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9.
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Sales Manager
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10.
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Branding Manager
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11.
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Business Development Manager
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12.
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Export / Import / Procurement Manager
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• PERSONNEL NOT ELIGIBLE for the ABTC application is as follows:
1.
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Admin Manager
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2.
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Company Secretary
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3.
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Consultant
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4.
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Engineering Manager
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5.
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Factory Manager
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6.
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Finance Manager
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7.
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Head of Division
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8.
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HR Manager
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9.
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IT Manager
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10. |
Production Manager
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11.
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Project Manager
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12.
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Technical Advisor
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13.
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Technical Manager
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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:
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:
i) Payment via Online (Please opt for GIRO TRANSFER)
• FMM Bank Account No: 5142 0833 0768 (MAYBANK)
ii) Payment by Cheque
• Cheque Payable to: FEDERATION OF MALAYSIAN MANUFACTURERS
• Cheque Crossed: ACCOUNT PAYEE ONLY
iii) 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
Invoice and 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 approved, they will issue a tracking number to FMM. (Currently, the standard lead time for FMM to receive the tracking number is within 3 - 4 months or longer 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 4 - 6 months or longer.
(F) HOW TO COLLECT YOUR APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD?
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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.
The Applicant or Representative can now WALK-IN to print the APEC card after all the 19 economies have approved your application.
The APEC card can only be printed at Immigration Department of Malaysia in Putrajaya.
FMM will NOT collect the APEC card on behalf of the applicant.
You may choose the following options to print the APEC card:
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 Business Travel Card Unit
Immigration Department of Malaysia
No.15, Level 1 (Podium)
Federal Government Administrative Centre
Presint 2
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 Business Travel Card Unit
Immigration Department of Malaysia
No.15, Level 1 (Podium)
Federal Government Administrative Centre
Presint 2
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 BusinessDivision
Tel: 03-6286 7200
Email: abtc@fmm.org.my
As at November 7, 2023