U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it will publish an interim final rule to establish the U.S. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card Program, an initiative that Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, led by introducing and passing The APEC Business Travel Cards Act of 2011.

The Act allows American business and government personnel traveling to the Asia-Pacific region access to expedited visa processing and designated airport travel lanes. Foreign travel card holders in 18 other economies already have access to these privileges when traveling to the United States. Larsen introduced the Act and led efforts to get it passed in 2011.

“The APEC travel card equalizes opportunity for American business women and men traveling in the Asia-Pacific region and creates more chances to export American goods to these important markets,” Larsen said. “CBP’s announcement is great news and means our business people will very soon have access to the expedited travel benefits that foreign travel card holders receive when they come to the U.S.

“People on the West Coast understand that the Asia-Pacific region is not the Far East, but the Near West. I am committed to helping Northwest Washington businesses access markets in these countries and the APEC travel card is an important tool to accomplish this goal,” Larsen said.

CBP’s interim final rule will be published in the Federal Register in the coming weeks and will then be open to public comment for 30 days. The rule lays out eligibility requirements, application processes and fees, and the parameters of the program.

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