APEC Business Travel Card Entry Length

[Osthos]

I recently had my APEC Business Travel Card approved and I was wondering what length of stay this qualifies me for Thailand.

A Google search hasn't given me a definitive answer. All the information I got was that participating economies give entry length on the ABTC for either 60 or 90 days.

Anyone have any experience as to the length of stay Thailand gives to ABTC holders?

If it matters, I travel on an Australian Passport.

Thanks very much.

[Faz]

For Thailand the permission of stay granted on entry is 90 days if it has THA on the rear.

You'll need to apply for the COE from your local Embassy and meet all the same conditions of entry as all other foreigners entering Thailand.

[Osthos]

14 hours ago, Faz said:

For Thailand the permission of stay granted on entry is 90 days if it has THA on the rear.

You'll need to apply for the COE from your local Embassy and meet all the same conditions of entry as all other foreigners entering Thailand.

Thanks very much for the clarification, very helpful. 

Just for posterity for anyone looking for a similar answer in the future:

I was trawling through Google last night and found a snippet that confirms this in the very unhelpful Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs questions and answers section. Although it doesn't outright state you get 90 days, the way I interpreted it is that the ABTC acts as a multi-entry business visa. Therefore granting 90 days per entry.

[Faz]

23 minutes ago, Osthos said:

Although it doesn't outright state you get 90 days, the way I interpreted it is that the ABTC acts as a multi-entry business visa. Therefore granting 90 days per entry.

That's exactly what it is, a multi entry Business Visa.
The only difference being the multi entry Non Imm B Visa is only valid for 1 year,
The APEC card is valid for 5 years.
With either type, the permission of stay granted on entry to Thailand is 90 days.

Perhaps a better explanation here: https://thailawyers.com/apec-business-travel-card/

The length of stay permitted varies Country by Country dependant on their Immigration policies, so it may only be 60 days entering certain Countries, but it's 90 days entering Thailand.

[Faz]

This is probably what you've been looking for:

ABTC Economy Information Table.pdf

[Osthos]

25 minutes ago, Faz said:

This is probably what you've been looking for:

ABTC Economy Information Table.pdf 460.77 kB · 0 downloads

That is what I was looking for. Thank you.

So it was on the APEC card info page huh? I must be going blind. 

/thread.

[Artemis080]

Yup, 90 days Thailand, no questions asked at immigration. Have entered many times on it in the past.

Also, for Australia card holders, you can now download a digital version. Although, in practice the physical card seems better respected by some other countries.

[Julian]

Has anyone tried opening a Thai bank account while in Thailand on a APEC Business Travel Card?

[Faz]

Personally, no, as it's not a requirement to open a Thai bank account for short 90 day stays.
Although possibly useful, there are other ways to access funds from overseas with good exchange rates, such as the Wise Borderless debit card.
https://wise.com/gb/borderless/card

[Anatta]

On 10/2/2021 at 10:52 AM, Julian said:

Has anyone tried opening a Thai bank account while in Thailand on a APEC Business Travel Card?

Yes - you will need proof of a Thai address so it helps to get a Certificate of Residence (TM16) from immigration - you'll need to complete form TM18 and provide copies of your passport including the entry stamp and and TM6 form, together with a TM30 record which your hotel will give to you and 2 photos.

Your milage will vary from bank to bank and many will refuse if you do not have a work permit.  I was eventually able to persuade a teller in Kasikorn Bank who had never heard of APEC to open an account.

Recently friends have been able to open an account with Bangkok Bank, but only on the condition they purchased an insurance policy costing around 6,000 Baht at the same time.

My advice would be to allocate a day and go from bank to bank until you find one willing to take your business.

[Faz]

2 hours ago, Anatta said:

Yes - you will need proof of a Thai address so it helps to get a Certificate of Residence (TM16) from immigration - you'll need to complete form TM18 and provide copies of your passport including the entry stamp and and TM6 form, together with a TM30 record which your hotel will give to you and 2 photos.

Incorrect and misleading.

The bank will often require a residence certificate issued by Immigration.
The residence certificate is requested by completing this form. Application for residence certificate.pdf 
It has no TM number.

TM16 is when applying for permanent residency. (residence certificate as opposed to certificate or residence)
TM18 is when applying for a substitute residence certificate.
https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fbangkok.immigration.go.th%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F06%2F22.%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%AD%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%8D%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%88-%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A1.18.doc&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

[rm_hk]

I have a question regarding how many times in a calendar year I can enjoy the 90-day entry with an APEC card in Thailand.

 

I understand It's basically a multiple entry 5-year visa with a 90-day stay allowance per entry. 

 

Not sure if I'm asking an obvious or stupid question, however I've been trying to find information if there is any rule or limitations on how many total days of stay an APEC card holder is permitted in one calendar year. I heard it's a maximum of 6 months collectively? 

 

My 90 days is almost coming to an end. I plan to fly out of Thailand for one week and then fly back for another 90 days. Can I do this as many times as I wish within the validity of the APEC card?

 

Many thanks guys!

 

 

 

 

 

[Liquorice]

On 8/18/2024 at 12:27 PM, rm_hk said:

My 90 days is almost coming to an end. I plan to fly out of Thailand for one week and then fly back for another 90 days. Can I do this as many times as I wish within the validity of the APEC card?

Is that what a typical business person would do - no!

If Immigration suspect you're abusing the card for purposes other than what it was intended for, you could be stopped, questioned, or even refused entry.

[rm_hk]

Thanks for your reply Licorice.

 

You have a very valid point, the nature of my business is not typically "normal" I'm basically working remotely and conducting market research of the local market specifically for a Luxury Service company based in Hong Kong that we would like to launch in Bangkok.

I really hope I don't get flagged when I fly back in next week with my APEC card. Perhaps I should consider another visa for working remotely from Thailand if I must stay longer.

 

Thanks again for your reply. 

[Liquorice]

Conducting Market Research is a valid reason IMO.
I wouldn't be too concerned provided you meet the criteria.

Just as an aside, Thailand have just launched the new DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) specifically aimed at remote workers. It's a 5 year multiple entry visa, each entry permitting a stay of 180 days, which can be extended for a further 180 days at Immigration. The fee is 10,000 BHT and 180 day extensions 1,900 BHT.
Family can travel with you on this visa type.

https://hongkong.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa-info?menu=5d84804a15e39c03c800281e
Scroll down for the DTV.

Edited August 21 by Liquorice

[rm_hk]

Thanks very much! Will look into that further :)

[Liquorice]

@rm_hk

Different forum, but a topic that may interest you.
A member using the APEC card being stopped and questioned at Don Mueang airport.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1336098-first-time-getting-scrutinised-at-don-mueang-immigration-as-apec-card-holder/

[rm_hk]

That form topic was very helpful, thanks again Licorice!