Released on = November 20, 2006, 1:29 am

Press Release Author = Ryan Rebutica

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = Business travel to the United States is about to become
easier.

Press Release Body = Business travel to the United States is about to become easier.

It follows an announcement that the United States will join 17 other Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation economies in providing APEC Business Travel Cardholders access
to ‘fast track’ immigration processing lanes on arrival and departure.

Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone today welcomed US
recognition of the card, announced on the weekend by US President George W. Bush at
the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam.

‘Cardholders will now be given access to special immigration lanes to speed up
processing at international airports in the United States,’ Senator Vanstone said
today.

‘The United States is Australia’s single most important economic partner.

‘By streamlining business travel we are reducing the cost of doing business and
helping Australian companies to maximise opportunities.’

Senator Vanstone said the APEC card was an Australian-led initiative and was a
practical example of APEC member economies working together to simplify business
travel and promote regional business activity.

‘The APEC Business Travel Card provides approved business people with streamlined
travel to and from participating economies,’ Senator Vanstone said.

‘The card is the size of a credit card, contains personal identity details and is
valid for three years.’

Economies already participating in the scheme are Australia, Brunei, Chile, the
People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea,
Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
Chinese Taipei and Vietnam.

Cardholders will still need to present valid passports and visas if required by
existing United States law. Australian business people may travel to the United
States for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa under its Visa Waiver Program.

Web Site = http://www.nationalvisas.com.au

Contact Details = National Visas
Web site: http://www.nationalvisas.com.au
Address: 3 - 118 Church Street
Hawthorn, Victoria
Australia 3122
Phone: +61 (0) 3 9697 4922
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9815 1544