The ABTC service window (middle) at the Hongqiao International Talents Service Center offers one-stop services for applicants. [Photo/Hongqiao International Talents Service Center]
A foreign trade company in Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Business District recently completed an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) application in just 45 working days, significantly faster than the previous five to six months that were required.
The ABTC streamlines short-term business travel within the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region by simplifying entry procedures. It offers benefits like long visa validity, extended stays, faster clearance, and reduced processing costs, making international business ventures more convenient.
Hongqiao's innovative government service models have cut the approval time to under four months, improving efficiency by 33 percent.
The ABTC service window at the Hongqiao International Talents Service Center provides one-stop integrated services. It uses an online application system to pre-review materials, which greatly reduces waiting times and helps meet urgent international travel needs.
There are also dedicated teams offering comprehensive guidance ranging from policy explanations to document submission, reducing the average number of visits required by businesses by six. The success rate of the one-time document approval system is 92 percent, significantly cutting time and labor costs.
From January to April 2025, inquiries at the ABTC service window increased fivefold, with card issuance up by 50 percent. Key industries benefiting include new energy, smart manufacturing, and biopharmaceuticals.
An APEC Business Travel Card. [Photo/Hongqiao International Talents Service Center]
The Hongqiao International Talents Service Center. [Photo/Hongqiao International Talents Service Center]
