Services · Business travel

APEC card

Updated 14 October 2026

Freedom to travel on business: visa-free entry and fast-track border crossing across the Asia-Pacific region.

What the APEC card is

The APEC card (APEC Business Travel Card) is a special document that simplifies business travel between the member economies of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). It gives the holder visa-free entry and fast-track border crossing in the states that take part in the program.

What the APEC card is for

The card removes the need to obtain a visa for every trip and cuts the time spent at border control. That is particularly useful for business people and entrepreneurs who often need to visit countries in the region.

The APEC card allows stays of 59 to 90 days in the member economies.

Countries in the program

Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.

Transitional members

Canada and the United States are transitional members of the program: they do not grant visa-free entry on the APEC card, but they do provide fast-track passport control at their international airports.

Who can get the card

The APEC card is intended for:

• Business people and entrepreneurs actively involved in international trade and business.
• Company executives with business ties to enterprises in APEC economies.
• Employees in key positions who travel on business regularly.

The applicant must be a citizen or resident of one of the member economies and have a clean visa history. Russian citizens and residents can get the APEC card.

Which documents you need

• An application form.
• Copies of your internal and foreign passport.
• Photographs.
• Documents confirming your status (an employer letter or proof of business ties, for example).
• A criminal record certificate.
• Payment of the consular fee.

Benefits of the APEC card

• Visa-free entry to APEC economies saves time and makes trips easier to plan.
• Fast-track border crossing - priority passport and customs control at international airports in the member economies.
• Savings of time and money - no need to keep applying for visas.
• Long validity - the card is issued for 5 years.

How to get the card in Russia

For a Russian citizen the card is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Applications are usually filed through authorised business organisations, which pass the file to the ministry. Each participating economy then vets the applicant and grants or withholds pre-clearance, and the card lists only the economies that cleared entry.

1. An application form with a colour photo attached.
2. Copies of the internal and international passports.
3. A criminal record certificate from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
4. Proof of business status: a company letter and evidence of foreign trade activity.

Timelines and checks

Processing takes several months: the application goes through every participating economy in turn. Checks cover not only criminal records but also unpaid fines and alimony or tax debts - anything that may restrict the right to travel abroad. The card is valid for 5 years.

The virtual card and Russia

Participating economies are gradually switching to a virtual card, and all of them except Russia accept it for entry. Russia does not accept the virtual card, so since 10 April 2023 holders of virtual cards from other economies can get a free multiple-entry permit valid for 5 years from Russian embassies and consulates. Russian citizens should check what form their card was issued in and how each destination accepts it.

What the card does not give you

• The right to work or reside - the card is only for business trips: meetings, negotiations, conferences.
• Visa-free entry to the US and Canada - they take part only as transitional members and offer fast-track lanes at airports.
• Unlimited stays - each economy sets its own limit per trip, from 59 to 90 days.

How to get approved the first time

• a criminal record or a travel restriction due to debts;
• no proof of regular business activity in the region;
• some economies did not grant pre-clearance - then they are not on the card;
• errors in the form and mismatched passport details.

Cost and how Murblz helps

The cost consists of the processing fee and document preparation. We check for travel restrictions, prepare the form and business status letters, file the application and track pre-clearance by economy. If the card does not suit you, we will find visas for your business trips. Our manager will calculate the final cost in the chat after checking travel restrictions and the list of economies you need.

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