Re: Events in CP 2
 

Say WHAT? It’s that different in Singapore? (Or is that Malaysia??)

I of course do not know what all is involved with applying for an APEC card from Singapore, but I would THINK that since this is a Multi-nation effort to enhance the mobility of business travelers – ergo business - among APEC economies that there would be certain uniformity and similar standards.

** All I needed to apply for my APEC card was to fill out a very straight-forward/simple application form accompanied by 2 pictures, copy of my passport and a support letter which I had my Financial Controller (my staff) sign requesting that I be issued the card as I am required to travel to various countries to oversee our investment portfolio/search investment opportunities.

** The way I understand it, the company supporting the card application should be at the same country as where the application is lodged at. Ie. No requirement for you to have a company in the foreign country.

** As far as I know, there were NO checks on my company carried out. And in fact, I doubt they’d have time to do such check as I received my first country’s approval within ONE week of my application; within this one week of my application submission to the Hong Kong immigration department, I received confirmation of such from the Business Mobility Group - the transnational body responsible for the issuance of these APEC Cards. This confirmation also gave me a website where I was able to “Track” the progress of my application – and as above I got “approved “ by the first country within one week.

** The whole process takes approximately 3 to 4 months for all the participating countries to advise their approval to the Hong Kong immigration department; but you can nominate a maximum of 5 countries which you need to visit as a priority/should expedite when you submit your application and receive an interim card.

** My APEC card costs me only HK$427 (same price from when I applied for the first of my consecutive 4 cards) – a heckuva saving over the quite high cost of having to apply to individual countries. I remember a few years ago having to apply for a ONE visit visa good only for one month from Vietnam and it cost me US$200. But more important having an APEC card saves me all the cost, time and hassles of having to apply for visas to individual countries.

** When I use my APEC card to enter a country listed on my APEC card (this time I got 18 countries, including Russia) I am granted stays of 60 days, but I also read that there are countries who will grant 90 days.

Please double check for yourself from these web pages. Like I said, all my applications had been a breeze but of course this is from Hong Kong.

http://www.businessmobility.org/index.asp
https://eabtc.ica.gov.sg/eabtc/index.xhtml
https://eabtc.ica.gov.sg/eabtc/xhtml/info/Faq.xhtml
http://www.immd.gov.hk/en/services/h...avel-card.html

SEAJ

Re: Events in CP 2
 

going to cp on 20/9/14 to 23/9/14, any bro want meet up ?

Re: Events in CP 2
 

i am afraid what you say is very true
not everyone can get the apec card
if you apply in spore the spore ministry of home affairs will surely check one's
background carefully
unless you are working in the spore goverment stats board,most ordinary
people will not be able to get a supporting letter from the regulatory bodies
the only way to get round this is to register a trade company in hong kong and then use it to support your application
personally i feel it is better to have hong kong citizenship than to have a spore passport if you plan to stay long term in china
on another note i realise japan also take better care of its citizens who are overseas than the spore embassies overseas
most spore embassies only pay lip service and go by the book strictly
if you ever get into trouble outside spore, you will know what i mean

Re: Events in CP 2
 

i am afraid what you say is very true
not everyone can get the apec card
if you apply in spore the spore ministry of home affairs will surely check one's
background carefully
unless you are working in the spore goverment stats board,most ordinary
people will not be able to get a supporting letter from the regulatory bodies
the only way to get round this is to register a trade company in hong kong and then use it to support your application
personally i feel it is better to have hong kong citizenship than to have a spore passport if you plan to stay long term in china
on another note i realise japan also take better care of its citizens who are overseas than the spore embassies overseas
most spore embassies only pay lip service and go by the book strictly
if you ever get into trouble outside spore, you will know what i mean

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Haha bro you're so right and I know what you mean due to my personal experiences with Singapore Embassy and General Consulate in overseas.

Singaporeans having emergencies or troubles in overseas better ji gey gao tim. :rolleyes: :p

By the way any Singaporeans who get into trouble in South China the Singapore General Consulate to call/visit is at Guangzhou. :rolleyes:

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Businessmen don't need a supporting letter from a regulatory body - just a simple letter from their own company suffices.

And I'd think that Singapore would like to have your citizens do as much business as possible anywhere - why would the government stand in the way of this?

And by the way, APEC cards of Hong Kong SAR passport holders will NOT include the PRC as countries approved - we are instead required to use our "Home Return Permit" to enter China.

SEAJ

Re: Events in CP 2
 

the home return permit is much better
it grants hong kong citizens a minimum of 90 days to remain in china
and up to a maximum of 10 years to remain in mainland china
apec card only allows one to stay 60 days in china,then you need to head to
either russia,or mongolia or south korea for a visa run
north korea is only suitable for malaysian passport holders
as malaysians do not need visa for north korea
malaysia is the only country that do not need visa for north korea

Re: Events in CP 2
 

the japanese goverment is so much caring for its citizens overseas
when i was in dalian, i saw the the japanese embassy there offering
legal,monetary aid and even arrange free lodging for its citizens in dalian and shenyang
the spore embassies in china cannot even hold a candle to the japanese embassy
i really salute the japanese
to all singaporeans out there go dump your passports
and emigrate to japan or south korea
i believe japan and south korea really take good care of its citizens overseas

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Yes, you are absolutely correct.. APEC Card is NOT for the ordinary tourist, its meant for genuine business community.

Need an endorsement on your application from local Chinese Chamber of Commerce, then application goes in for government security agency vetting- long winded process. Sbranch probably starts a file on you without you even knowing!

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Just used my APEC card to enter Phuket just now; I got 90 days stay to 12 December!!

This should be interesting for guys who stay longer term in Thailand - especially since the Thai authorities are now cracking down.

SEAJ

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Heard those love wear yellow or red shirts tourists can stay longer even if enter via apec card lol... In their military camps under house arrest lol

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Haha, a good one for the day

:D

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Hmmmm.... Not quite sure the humour, or context of this.

Just wonderin'
SEAJ

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Is a political joke

The color represent the different ruling parties

Regards

Re: Events in CP 2
 

:D hahaha sex rookie only people from S.E.A. Know such joke lol ... Side Tracked back to infor on CA scene leihong DFJH left for another KTV small town in guangdong 清远国际酒店 now is around 100 mins from baiyun airport to qing yuan city ... 300 ktv meimei

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Wawa and some djs from dfjh is joining her too! I seriously doubt this ktv has 300 gals at any one time. But leihong's command over the gals is what we are confident of.;)

Re: Events in CP 2
 

got her message too ... looks like CA like CP also lousy business ...

Re: Events in CP 2
 

I believe more like unable to do business loh.

Look at CP, many KTV are keen to open with many gals waiting to work as well.
Also many ppl are eager to go back CP and enjoy the good old days of partying.
But the GA dun allow any 黄 to be involve in KTV. GA is standing in the way of KTV and us...

There are buyer and seller on both end...

But the Ah Gong refuse to let any transaction goes thru... LPPL... Haiz...

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Wait you mean my APEC card means I don't need to apply for China visa? (I'm Malaysian passport holder). I've had the APEC card for 3 years, but still apply for PRC visa every year!!!

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Yes that is correct. APEC card is like a visa to enter the specified countries..

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Oh man! What a waste of not only money applying for those china visa, but the time to apply for them PLUS all the time queueing in the regular immigration lines whilst you could have whisked in via the special lane!

So, what have you been using your APEC card for these past 3 years?

SEAJ

Re: Events in CP 2
 

U need to check if your APEC card include China, if dun have still have to apply visa.

Normally, China is one of the last few country to approve... Damn troublesome

Re: Events in CP 2
 

I think your information is not fully accurate.
Unless the entire process has changed, it is not at all difficult to apply and get the apec card.
You don't need government links, nor working in any related bodies.
As mentioned, all you need is payment, photo, signature, letter from company saying you are required to travel frequently extensively.

Especially so for countries like HK, Sg, who don't require visa to many countries. Already visa requirements is waived, the only additional to these countries is the length of stay. Special lanes for easier access is just a perk.
Hence, other than ease of entry and length of stay.
No need for additional conspiracy theories.....

The people I know, including myself are just ordinary folks, who applied, and gotten the card, with all countries listed, and no special requirements. Of course I applied very early on, one of the first 150 I think, so maybe over the years things changed, and requirements got stricter?

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Yes, that's what I think too. After all, the whole purpose of this card is to make it easier for businessmen to do business within the region, and there is nothing to stop us to also use it when on our leisure trip; so why would any government make it hard to apply for it?

Besides length of time - approximately 3 or so months - the whole application process is a breeze; and as for the special lanes being a perk, it is a helluva perk as immigration lines can be horrendous vs a few minutes using the APEC card.

Has anybody actually gotten problems applying or is it like you say, just conspiracy theories?

SEAJ

Re: Events in CP 2
 

It all depends on which country you are citizen of, not conspiracy theories.

If you are Indon, Pinoy, Lao, Viet, Msian or Thai, not so lucky as SAR or Singkie where less questions asked.

Re: Events in CP 2
 

So, I guess you got your APEC card; which country citizen are you and what's your actual experience getting it?
And what/how do you know what those other countries citizens experience when applying?

Thanks
SEAJ

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Oh, my reply is only to the one about needing to be in working in the government sector etc of singapore. Like i mentioned, we are fortunate that we do not need visas for many countries, hence, applying for an apec card won't be a hassle. (hence i dont think there is much issue, unless the applicant has some background issues with any of the countries.)

As for other countries, which may still require visas, it may be more difficult, but I have no knowledge and cannot comment.

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Sporean APEC card holder which had been granted / approved by China (On the back of ur card if u see CHN), is allowed to stay in China for 60 days....

Re: Events in CP 2
 

Yes - and I think it applies to all APEC card holders as I also get 60 days into China.
And I think 60 days allowable stay is the minimum for all the countries listed in one's APEC card; that is what I read in the card application guidance pamphlet.

By the way, I got 90 days into Thailand - may be interesting for those who stays longer here!

SEAJ

Re: Events in CP 2
 

walao , so sad , CP gone forever ....this is sad news .