I have an APEC Business Travel Card & wonder if I still need to apply for US ETSA.
Much appreciate any advice!
Yes you would need to apply for the US ETSA as the APEC card only provides access to the APEC immigration line based on my experience. The US is not a full member of the APEC from my understanding hence the need to get the US ETSA.
If your APEC card has US Endorsement, you should be able to use the fast lanes at the airport, but that's where the benefits stop from my understanding. You still need an applicable visa to be able to enter the US and Canada.
Ive posted a reply, but it's got links in it so needs to be admin approved.
Sourced from the Australian APEC ABTC site, and the APEC site itself, US and Canada are transitional members only, so you'll get access to the queues, and that's where the benefit ends. "Valid visas must be obtained if required by existing Canadian law."
You wouldn't be allowed to check in for your flight to the US without your ESTA. It's advisable to have an electronic copy on you, but also have a paper copy. An ESTA may be approved instantly but it can take some time to come through sometimes so best to apply about a month before you intend to travel.
You wouldn't be allowed to check in for your flight to the US without your ESTA. It's advisable to have an electronic copy on you, but also have a paper copy. An ESTA may be approved instantly but it can take some time to come through sometimes so best to apply about a month before you intend to travel.
Negative there is absolutely no need for a paper copy
In 13 years of traveling to the US, I've never been asked to show a paper copy of an ESTA. The only time I've had any sort of issue was with my old passport and checking in at ICN with JL for a flight through NRT to DFW. The ESTA rules required passports issued after Oct 2006 to be e-passports and passports issued before to have the machine readable zone. That passport had been issued in Feb 2005 and thus did not need to be an e-passport (Australia started issuing e-passports the day the US ESTA e-passport requirement came into force). The JL check in supervisor said it needed to be an e-passport, and since it wasn't I needed a full visa. I insisted that I didn't and pointed to the US entry stamp from 4 months prior.
Need for a paper copy or e-copy? Yes. The link between my booking (Joburg / Frankfurt / JFK) and my ESTA got lost. Couldn't check in at Joburg. Lufthansa in Frankfurt had to negotiate by phone direct with US to get the ESTA "reconnected" while I waited so they could check me in. Without evidence of ESTA it would have taken a lot longer to sort out than the 90 mins or so that it did take.
I have an APEC card and regularly use it in the USA. I absolutely need ESTA approval which usually takes a day (but allow longer, why take the risk) and certainly never needed a paper copy although I have the receipt on my laptop in case customs asks (and they never have because I couldn't check in without it).
Negative there is absolutely no need for a paper copy
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Perhaps you should inform the US immigration staff of that. I've seen people asked to produce a paper copy of their ESTA at the immigration desks. (Though probably not so much of an issue in ports like LAX which has kiosks available for ESTA holders.)
It's also prudent to have a paper copy of EVERYTHING - e-ticket, hotel reservations, etc. You can never tell when technology (equipment or networks) will fail.
Negative there is absolutely no need for a paper copy
I like to be prepared just in case I happen to have problems with accessing the electronic copy when they want to look at the ESTA printout.
I'd suggest carrying a paper copy also. I travel US 6 x year and recently was told no ESTA on file. Fortunately had paper copy which cleared things up immediately. Not sure what would have happened if didnt show paper copy. Only 1 sheet so not really a drama to carry
Definitely keep a paper copy on you! I got delayed by QF in Sydney once because they couldn't link to my ESTA application - turns out that because I have a space in my surname that QF were searching for one without the space! Showed them I actually had one and they had to change my surname on the ticket.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
US ESTA required?
Lchen3328
Lchen3328
Member since 08 Nov 2015
Total posts 16
I have an APEC Business Travel Card & wonder if I still need to apply for US ESTA.
Much appreciate any advice!
sanj747
sanj747
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 Nov 2016
Total posts 146
Yes you would need to apply for the US ETSA as the APEC card only provides access to the APEC immigration line based on my experience. The US is not a full member of the APEC from my understanding hence the need to get the US ETSA.
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
If your APEC card has US Endorsement, you should be able to use the fast lanes at the airport, but that's where the benefits stop from my understanding. You still need an applicable visa to be able to enter the US and Canada.
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
Ive posted a reply, but it's got links in it so needs to be admin approved. Sourced from the Australian APEC ABTC site, and the APEC site itself, US and Canada are transitional members only, so you'll get access to the queues, and that's where the benefit ends. "Valid visas must be obtained if required by existing Canadian law."
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
You wouldn't be allowed to check in for your flight to the US without your ESTA. It's advisable to have an electronic copy on you, but also have a paper copy.
An ESTA may be approved instantly but it can take some time to come through sometimes so best to apply about a month before you intend to travel.
Doubleplatinum Banned
Doubleplatinum Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
Member since 07 Feb 2013
Total posts 431
An ESTA may be approved instantly but it can take some time to come through sometimes so best to apply about a month before you intend to travel.
Negative there is absolutely no need for a paper copy
mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
Negative there is absolutely no need for a paper copy
I like to be prepared just in case I happen to have problems with accessing the electronic copy when they want to look at the ESTA printout.
Himeno
Himeno
Member since 12 Dec 2012
Total posts 295
In 13 years of traveling to the US, I've never been asked to show a paper copy of an ESTA.
The only time I've had any sort of issue was with my old passport and checking in at ICN with JL for a flight through NRT to DFW.
The ESTA rules required passports issued after Oct 2006 to be e-passports and passports issued before to have the machine readable zone. That passport had been issued in Feb 2005 and thus did not need to be an e-passport (Australia started issuing e-passports the day the US ESTA e-passport requirement came into force).
The JL check in supervisor said it needed to be an e-passport, and since it wasn't I needed a full visa. I insisted that I didn't and pointed to the US entry stamp from 4 months prior.
SallyJ
SallyJ
Member since 13 Jan 2017
Total posts 2
Need for a paper copy or e-copy? Yes. The link between my booking (Joburg / Frankfurt / JFK) and my ESTA got lost. Couldn't check in at Joburg. Lufthansa in Frankfurt had to negotiate by phone direct with US to get the ESTA "reconnected" while I waited so they could check me in. Without evidence of ESTA it would have taken a lot longer to sort out than the 90 mins or so that it did take.
RickBlain
RickBlain
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Jul 2014
Total posts 2
I have an APEC card and regularly use it in the USA. I absolutely need ESTA approval which usually takes a day (but allow longer, why take the risk) and certainly never needed a paper copy although I have the receipt on my laptop in case customs asks (and they never have because I couldn't check in without it).
John Phelan
John Phelan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Oct 2011
Total posts 261
[QUOTE=4452;45358]
Negative there is absolutely no need for a paper copy
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mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
John Phelan, I have been asked to show my ESTA myself. I agree it's advisable to have a paper copy of everything.
chillbaby
chillbaby
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 Jan 2017
Total posts 2
Negative there is absolutely no need for a paper copy
I like to be prepared just in case I happen to have problems with accessing the electronic copy when they want to look at the ESTA printout.
I'd suggest carrying a paper copy also. I travel US 6 x year and recently was told no ESTA on file. Fortunately had paper copy which cleared things up immediately. Not sure what would have happened if didnt show paper copy. Only 1 sheet so not really a drama to carry
ryanpst
ryanpst
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 27 Jun 2013
Total posts 72
Definitely keep a paper copy on you! I got delayed by QF in Sydney once because they couldn't link to my ESTA application - turns out that because I have a space in my surname that QF were searching for one without the space! Showed them I actually had one and they had to change my surname on the ticket.