China, HK, 3 Others Extend APEC Stays to 90 Days
China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore will now permit APEC Business Travel Card holders to remain for up to 90 days, an increase from the previous 60-day limit. Each economy will announce its own implementation date.
Extended Stay for ABTC Holders
Five Asian economies will extend the maximum stay for APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders. China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore now permit stays of up to 90 days. This increases the prior limit of 60 days for visitors using the card. The decision emerged from an APEC Business Mobility Group meeting.
This event was held in Dalian, China, on August 23–24, 2026. The move aims to streamline travel for business professionals across the Asia-Pacific region. These five economies have not yet announced a unified implementation date. Instead, each will confirm its specific timeline for enacting the longer stay period.
This adjustment brings their policies closer to other APEC participants. Many already allow ABTC holders to stay for up to three months.
Understanding the APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card facilitates business travel within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region. It targets business travellers who frequently move between member economies. The system operates via a pre-clearance process. Approved ABTC holders can enter participating economies for short business visits.
This removes the need to apply for a new visa or entry permit for each trip. The card does not replace a passport; travellers must carry a valid travel document. They remain subject to immigration checks and destination entry requirements. An additional benefit for frequent travellers includes access to dedicated APEC lanes.
These lanes are available at major airports in participating economies. They help speed up immigration procedures for arrivals and departures. The card can be valid for up to five years. Each economy sets its own eligibility criteria for applicants. It is generally for individuals travelling regularly for business. Certain senior government officials also qualify.
Participating Economies and Scope
Nineteen of the 21 APEC member economies fully participate in the ABTC programme. These include Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. In these locations, cardholders with pre-clearance receive entry privileges.
The economies that approve a traveller are linked to that person’s card. Canada and the United States hold a different status. Both are transitional members, offering some benefits like dedicated immigration lanes. However, neither participates in the reciprocal pre-clearance system.
Consequently, ABTC holders visiting Canada or the United States must still meet standard visa or travel authorisation requirements. The recent Dalian decision specifically affects the five economies that previously limited ABTC stays to 60 days.
Implementation and Traveller Guidance
The extension to 90-day stays does not alter the core purpose of the ABTC. The programme remains focused on short-term business travel. It does not act as a residence permit. Cardholders cannot take up local employment or settle permanently in a participating economy. Furthermore, the card does not automatically grant a 90-day stay across the entire APEC region.
Entry conditions remain specific to each economy. Visa-free travel under the ABTC depends on the destination granting pre-clearance to the individual traveller. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that each of the five economies will determine its own timeline.
Therefore, ABTC holders should continue to follow current rules until national or territorial authorities confirm the 90-day stay implementation. This move simplifies travel for eligible business cardholders. It is not a new visa exemption for the general public.
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