APEC Business Travel Card
For Executives
Full-Service Support
The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) is a special travel credential that allows visa exemption and expedited immigration at 19 APEC member economies — no separate visa needed for each business trip.
ABTC issuance requires two stages with a complex dossier and verification from multiple state agencies. VLIC helps prepare a complete, compliant application under Decision 09/2023/QĐ-TTg — optimizing approval time.
employing the executive
applying for the card
| Case | Fee |
|---|---|
| New ABTC issuance (first time) | 1.200.000 đ |
| ABTC reissue (expired card or on request) | 1.000.000 đ |
| Reissue due to new passport / lost card / adding member economy | 1.000.000 đ |
| Reissue after card invalidated by member economy | 1.000.000 đ |
| Electronic ABTC and physical card | Equal |
| VLIC service package | Fee |
|---|---|
| Eligibility consultation and company/executive dossier assessment | Free |
| Prepare complete Stage 1 dossier (People’s Committee / DPI permit application) | Contact |
| Submit & track Stage 1 dossier until approval letter received | Contact |
| Prepare & submit Stage 2 dossier to the Immigration Department | Contact |
| Full package: complete two stages from consultation to ABTC receipt | Contact |
Check whether the company and executive meet the conditions under Article 8 of Decision 09/2023/QĐ-TTg: operating history, position, social insurance, international trade contracts, and tax obligations — determine eligibility before submitting the dossier.
Draft the CV01 letter and prepare the complete permit application package for ABTC use: APEC commercial contract, social insurance report, financial statements, and executive documents. Guide the collection of documents requiring certified Vietnamese translation.
Submit the dossier to the Provincial/City People’s Committee or Department of Planning and Investment (HCMC: DPI). Track verification progress with Police, Tax Department, and Social Insurance agency. Notify you promptly if supplementary documents are requested.
After permit approval (within 6 months), prepare form TK06, original passport and three certified copies, submit to the Immigration Department in Hanoi or HCMC, or via the Ministry’s public service portal. Track the 27 working day process.
Advise executives on proper ABTC use: present it with a passport, use it only for economic activities, and fulfill periodic reporting requirements as requested by competent authorities.
Advise and support reissuing ABTC when the card expires after 5 years, when receiving a new passport, if the card is lost, or when adding member economies to the existing card. ABTC cannot be extended — a new application is required.
As of 2025, ABTC is recognized by 19 economies and territories including Japan (90 days), South Korea, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Mexico, Chile, Brunei, Peru, Papua New Guinea, Russia, and Vietnam. Each entry’s allowed stay varies by destination — typically 60 to 90 days. Important note: the U.S. and Canada are APEC members but do not participate in the ABTC program, so a separate visa is still required for those countries. However, having an ABTC can be an advantage when applying for U.S. or Canadian visas.
Actual time usually ranges from 4 to 10 months, covering two stages: Stage 1 — obtain the permit letter from the provincial/city People’s Committee: about 4–6 months (the dossier must be verified by Police, Tax, and local Social Insurance). Stage 2 — submit the dossier to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security: up to 27 working days from receiving a complete valid dossier. Note: the permit letter from Stage 1 is valid for 6 months — if Stage 2 is filed after 6 months, a new permit letter is required.
No. Under regulations, ABTC cannot be renewed in any form. When the card expires after 5 years, the executive must apply for a new card if still needed — meeting the eligibility conditions at the time of reapplication and completing both stages again like the first application. The reissue fee is 1,000,000 VND/card (200,000 VND lower than a new issuance). It is recommended to prepare the reissue dossier at least 6 months before the old card expires to avoid a gap in card usage.
Yes, but the employee must hold a title eligible under Decision 09/2023/QĐ-TTg. For private businesses, eligible positions include: Chairman of the Members’ Council/Board of Directors, CEO/Director, Deputy CEO/Deputy Director, Chief Accountant, Department Director, or Head of Division directly involved in international trade and investment operations, and Branch Manager. For employees not in these positions, a proper appointment decision must be made at least 12 months beforehand and they must have paid social insurance for 12 months with the applying company.
The company must prove actual business activity with a partner from APEC member economies through: commercial contracts, service contracts, or business cooperation contracts valid within 2 years of the application date; or export-import evidence such as L/Cs, bills of lading, customs declarations, or payment invoices within the last 12 months. If documents are in a foreign language, a Vietnamese translation is mandatory (certified or notarized). Contracts older than 2 years are the most common reason for dossier rejection.
