What is the experience of Americans using an APEC/ABTC card to enter Thailand regarding stamp duration?

APEC card US visa entry Thailand immigration stamp duration Canadian experiences visa rules 30-day stamp entry requirements provisional member benefits

Mar 17, 2024

9 months ago

Markus *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello all. Any Americans (or Canadians) entered using their APEC / ABTC card recently? I have just been approved and yet to use mine. Wondering if Americans are getting 30 day stamps or sometimes receiving 60 or 90 days like the reciprocal participating countries.

Seems like it should be 30 days but could differ depending on the officer's attention to detail?

And if any Americans were stamped in with a 60 day or 90 day when they potentially should have had a 30 day, were there any problems upon departure?

Interested in hearing other Americans/Canadians experience. Thanks for any insight.

1,247

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

Americans using the APEC/ABTC card for entry into Thailand generally receive a 30-day visa exempt stamp, similar to other US citizens. Although some reports suggest that a few individuals might have received longer stamps (60 or 90 days), this appears to be inconsistent and may depend on individual immigration officers' discretion. It's noted that the APEC card provides access to a faster immigration lane but offers no visa advantages for US or Canadian citizens as they are provisional members of APEC.

James ********

I believe that the OP has the answers needed for his question.

Thanks all for your helpful replies.

Comments Closed

9 months ago

Ja***

USA and Canada are provisional members of APEC. The only benefit of using the card is to use the special lane at immigration. You do not get any visa privilege like you do if your country is a full member of APEC. Normal APEC cards have a list of countries on the back that you can enter without a visa. The US/Canada version is blank.

If you got anything more than a 30 day stamp then it was a mistake.

9 months ago

ไมเคิล **********

With an APEC card and no visa, you will get 30 days visa exempt just like every other US citizen entering Thailand without a visa. The APEC card is generally worthless for US because the US is a "provisional participate" (check the back of your card and you will see no countries are listed allowing visa free entry). You can use FasTrack immigration with your APEC card. That's one advantage.

9 months ago

Noah *********

the us is a “provisional”participant. on the back of the card they list the countries that you’ve been approved to enter visa free. as an American you’ll find the back of the card is blank.

9 months ago

Tod *********

You know that is a conundrum. I have seen Americans that are on the apec card and get 90 days just like everyone else who holds that card.

BUT

With that being said, I've also seen Americans under on the apec card and get 30. I think it's a crap shoot depending on what officer you get

9 months ago

Markus *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

yeah I have read others mention like this so was curious of the actual experiences of Americans using it. I guess I will find out soon enough lol.

9 months ago

Tod *********

Unless I'm mistaken, the real rule is Americans get 30 on apec. Your mileage may vary..

9 months ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Thai Visa Advice