>Submit the ABTC application online via Immigration Malaysia’s official portal, accompanied by a valid Malaysian passport and employer-issued business engagement letter
>Secure pre-clearance approvals from all target APEC member economies (excluding USA and Canada) through the centralized ABTC system before card issuance
>Verify that the applicant’s Malaysian passport remains valid for at least 5 years; otherwise, ABTC validity will be truncated to match passport expiry
English Summary
The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) issued by Immigration Malaysia grants pre-cleared, visa-free entry and priority immigration lanes for eligible business travelers to 19 participating APEC economies. Applicants must be actively employed senior executives engaged in frequent cross-border business activities. Applications are processed via the ABTC System through Malaysia’s Immigration Department, requiring pre-approval from all targeted APEC members. The card is valid for five years or until passport expiry—whichever is earlier. While Canada and the U.S. do not offer visa exemption, they provide expedited Premier Lanes. Foreign businesses with operations in Malaysia—including regional HQs, joint ventures, or representative offices—must ensure applicants meet strict eligibility criteria and initiate applications well in advance of travel needs. No statutory deadline applies, but processing may take 8–12 weeks.
Utama »Main Services»APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD»APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD... APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD Menu Introduction APEC is an organization established in 1989 to establish greater economic cooperation in the Asia Pacific region. This organization came into force on March 1, 1999.The APEC Business Travel Card is an initiative of the APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in an effort to help businessmen who frequently deal with APEC countries. There are 21 countries involved in the organization Australia United States of America Brunei Canada Chile China Hong Kong (China) Indonesia Japan Korea Malaysia Mexico New Zealand Papua New Guinea Peru Rusia Philippines Singapore Taiwan Thailand Vietnam Only 19 countries including Malaysia provide the following facilities:APEC card replaces VISA (countries that require a VISA and have their participation in APEC do not require a VISA)Provide APEC Lane or Special Route (Premier Lane) at the main entrances by air or land of each country to enjoy a faster and smoother movement process.Currently, Canada and the United States have not yet fully joined the scheme. However, both countries provide PREMIER LANE facilities for the purpose of faster and smoother movement.The following countries provide the following facilities: AUS-AustraliaBRN-BruneiCHL-ChileCHN-ChinaHKG-Hong KongIDN-IndonesiaJPN-JapanKOR-KoreaMYS-MalaysiaMEX-MexicoNZL-New ZealandPNG-Papua New GuineaPER-PeruRUS-RusiaPHL-PhilippinesSGP-SingaporeTWN-TaiwanTHA-ThailandVNM-Vietnam APEC Business Travel Card PrivilegesThis card helps to save time and cost for businessmen in meeting visa requirements and entry requirements as well as enjoying the Special Routes of APEC countries.Holder information and details are shared with all participating countries to obtain pre-clearance status or VISA approval before the card is issued.The validity of the APEC card is five (5) years subject to the validity period of the passport.These cardholders are given the convenience of APEC routes or Special Routes at the main entrances of the countries concerned.In Malaysia, the main entrances that provide the premier lane or APEC route are as follows: “PREMIERE LANE” or APEC Main Route can be found as follows:Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA 2)Penang International AirportSultan Iskandar Complex, Johor BharuSultan Abu Bakar Building (Second Link), Gelang Patah, Johor This card indirectly promotes trade and businesses relation between the participating countries.To qualify for the APEC Business Travel Card, the applicant must be actively involved in business that requires them to frequently commute to the countries concerned.Pre-Clearances or approval by the participating countries will be channeled through the ABTC System to Immigration Department of Malaysia.