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Holders of APEC Business Travel Cards (ABTC) are now able to use the specific immigration lanes currently used by diplomats and aircrew for passenger clearance at major international airports in Mexico.
An Immigration Department spokesman made the announcement today (May 23) after being informed of the move by the Consulate General of Mexico, Hong Kong.
However, ABTC holders are still subject to the usual immigration clearance process such as presenting valid passports and, where applicable, valid visas for Mexico. The Mexican Consular Officers will also expedite and give priority to ABTC holders applying for a business visa to enter Mexico.
"The aim of the scheme is to enhance the mobility of business people within the APEC economies so promoting business within the region," the spokesman said.
At present, there are 17 economies participating in the scheme - Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam.
In Hong Kong, applications for ABTC are open to local permanent residents holding Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards and valid national passports. Applicants must be bona fide businesspeople, free of criminal records, and they must not have been refused entry to any of the participating economies. Applicants should also have a need to travel frequently on short-term business visits to the APEC economies.
The ABTC is of the size of a credit card. It is normally valid for three years. The card is good for multiple visits of two to three months to participating economies without the need for a visa.
ABTC holders will receive streamlined immigration clearance at the control points of the participating economies.
Ends/Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:31
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