APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) for Entering Indonesia

Business travel in the Asia Pacific is growing. Indonesia is one of the busiest destinations for foreign executives, investors, and decision-makers from the region. 

The APEC Business Travel Card, also called the APEC Visa, helps eligible travelers enter Indonesia easily. It allows them to skip the standard visa application process. 

Frequent business travelers can benefit from the APEC Card in Indonesia. This card allows faster entry, so you can move more quickly and deal with less paperwork. It also helps you feel more confident when doing business in APEC economies. 

What is the APEC Visa (APEC Business Travel Card)? 

The APEC Business Travel Card is a regional travel facilitation program issued to eligible professionals from participating APEC economies. It functions as a pre-approved travel document that allows the cardholder to enter member economies without applying for a separate visa and to use expedited immigration processing lanes. 

The ABTC system, overseen by the APEC Business Mobility Group, is designed to support short-term business mobility by reducing administrative procedures. With an active APEC Card, travelers can make multiple visits to Indonesia and other participating economies, benefiting from shorter processing times and dedicated fast-track lanes at major airports.

READ MORE:

• C11 Visa for Indonesia: How to Apply for the Correct Visa as an Exhibitor
• Ultimate Guide to Pre-Investment Visa in Bali (D12 Visa)
• How to Extend Visa on Arrival (VOA) in Indonesia: Requirements, Costs & Process

APEC Visa Requirements for Entering Indonesia 

Below are the general requirements and conditions for using an APEC Visa to enter Indonesia. These points are based on commonly accepted eligibility criteria and immigration rules applied to foreign APEC Card holders. 

General Requirements 

To qualify for an APEC Business Travel Card, applicants must meet the following baseline conditions: 

• Hold a passport from an APEC member economy or be a permanent resident of Hong Kong, China. 
• Engage in regular business travel across the APEC region. 
• Have no criminal convictions. 

Country Specific Eligibility Rules 

Each APEC economy may introduce additional eligibility criteria for issuing the APEC Card. These may include: 

• Proof of business activities or frequent regional travel. 
• Endorsements from chambers of commerce or relevant business associations. 
• Background checks or financial verification, depending on the issuing authority. 

Because the APEC Visa operates on a pre-clearance system, requirements may vary, and approval in one economy does not guarantee approval in others. 

Eligibility for Government Officials 

Senior government officials may also be eligible for the ABTC if they are actively involved in APEC-related work or international cooperation activities. The definition of who qualifies as a senior official differs by economy, so applicants should verify the criteria with their issuing authority before applying. 

What You Can and Cannot Do with an APEC Visa in Indonesia 

The APEC Business Travel Card offers flexibility for short-term business visits, but it also comes with apparent limitations. Below is a simplified breakdown based on APEC’s official guidelines. 

What You Can Do with an APEC Visa in Indonesia 

• Enter Indonesia without applying for a separate business visa, provided Indonesia appears as an approved economy on the card. 
• Stay in Indonesia for short-term business activities within the permitted period set by immigration. 
• Attend meetings, conferences, and negotiations. 
• Conduct market visits, feasibility assessments, and other preliminary business activities. 
• Use fast-track immigration lanes at major Indonesian airports for quicker entry. 
• Travel to Indonesia multiple times while the APEC Card remains valid. 

What You Cannot Do with an APEC Visa in Indonesia 

• Engage in any form of employment or paid work from an entity in Indonesia. 
• Undertake long-term assignments or operational roles within a local office. 
• Receive compensation, salary, or direct income from Indonesian sources. 
• Overstay the allowed period of stay set by the Indonesian immigration. 
• Use the APEC Card for tourism purposes that do not fall under business-related activities. 
• Replace immigration requirements if the APEC Card or linked passport is invalid or expired. 

APEC Visa vs Business Visa vs Pre-Investment Visa (D12) 

Different entry permits serve different purposes in Indonesia. Below is a clear comparison to help understand how the APEC Visa, Business Visa, and Pre-Investment Visa (D12) differ in terms of use, flexibility, and permitted activities. 

Aspect	APEC Visa	Business Visa	Pre Investment Visa (D12)
Purpose	Short-term business travel for APEC members	Meetings and general business activities	Investment exploration and due diligence
Visa Requirement	No visa needed if Indonesia is pre-approved	Visa required	Visa required
Eligible Travelers	Citizens of APEC economies with ABTC	Global travelers	Potential investors
Permitted Activities	Meetings, conferences, negotiations	Meetings, training, seminars	Investment assessment, feasibility studies
Work Authorization	Not allowed	Not allowed	Not allowed
Length of Stay	Set by immigration, usually short-term	Varies by visa type	Longer stay options available

APEC Visa Countries List 

The APEC Business Travel Card is recognized across multiple APEC member economies. Travelers holding an APEC Visa or APEC Card can benefit from pre-cleared entry and streamlined immigration procedures when visiting participating economies. 

Below is the list of economies currently involved in the APEC Business Travel Card scheme: 

• Australia 
• Brunei Darussalam 
• Chile 
• China 
• Hong Kong 
• Indonesia 
• Japan 
• South Korea 
• Malaysia 
• Mexico 
• New Zealand 
• Papua New Guinea 
• Peru 
• The Philippines 
• Singapore 
• Chinese Taipei 
• Thailand 
• Vietnam 

These participating economies support the APEC initiative to simplify short-term business travel, enhance regional mobility, and reduce administrative burdens for professionals moving across the Asia-Pacific region.

Navigate Your Entry into Indonesia with InCorp 

If you are planning to enter Indonesia for meetings, investment preparation, or ongoing business activities, having the correct visa strategy will make your mobility smoother and fully compliant. InCorp Indonesia (an Ascentium Company) can support you with: 

• Guidance on using the APEC Business Travel Card for entering Indonesia 
• Assistance with Business Visa applications for short-term activities 
• Support for Pre-Investment Visa (D12) arrangements for feasibility studies and investment planning 

Complete the form below to assist with any visa process for entering Indonesia.

Frequently Asked Questions