Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card

ABTC members get faster border clearance en route to participating APEC countries. They also benefit from Trusted Traveller kiosks when returning to Canada.

All Canadian citizens must be NEXUS members before applying for an ABTC.

Cost

The non-refundable fee is US$70.

The ABTC is valid for five years, unless the member's passport and/or NEXUS card expires. In addition, ABTC membership is invalid if NEXUS membership is revoked.

How to apply and renew

Applications and renewals are coordinated through the U.S. Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) System. Once your application is approved, you will be asked to visit an Enrolment Centre to finalize your enrolment and provide a digitized signature. You will then receive your card by mail.

Canadian cardholders

Canadian ABTC members use designated APEC lines when travelling to participating APEC countries and also benefit from Trusted Traveller kiosks when returning to Canada. They must still present all required documents such as passports, visas and permits when using their ABTC.

Foreign cardholders

Currently, 19 of the 21 participating APEC countries issue ABTCs. Foreign cardholders can enter Canada using designated APEC lines, or by using the Special Services/Crew Counter, at eight major international airports in the following cities:

• Vancouver
• Edmonton
• Calgary
• Winnipeg
• Toronto
• Ottawa
• Montréal
• Halifax

When using designated APEC lines to enter Canada, foreign ABTC holders will be required to:

• Show the following travel documents to a border services officer:
  
  • a valid ABTC;
  • a valid passport;
  • a visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), if required; and
  • work permits may also be required depending on the nature of the business to be conducted in Canada.

Declaring goods

ABTC members, must declare goods upon arrival. Travellers must also report if they are in possession of restricted or prohibited goods or  CAN$10,000 or more.

They are expected to make their declaration to a border services officer upon arrival.

Participating ABTC countries

Canada and the United States are transitional members. The other full ABTC members are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam and Russia.

For enquiries regarding the Canadian ABTC pilot, contact the CBSA.