In Reply to: Family members posted by Oscar on Saturday, 17. May 2008 at 09:41 Bali Time:
Hi Oscar,
The practicality is that the APEC travel card replaces a business visa for you personally for the duration of the card.
If you were travelling to Thailand for example, on holidays then you could still use your card to go through the diplomatic/air crew/Apec immigration lines and your family good go through with you ... as visas are not required for Australian citizens going to Thailand for holidays, only for business.
However, where visas are required for all travellers (either business or leisure) such as China, Vietnam and Indonesia then each person entering must obtain a visa, or in Indonesia's case a VOA.
In short, the people travelling with you will need their own visas i.e. a visa on arrival in Bali.
I've entered Bali twice now with my wife since having the APEC card and unfortunately she has to go through the VOA process. I waited for her whilst doing this and then we proceeded through APEC immigration channels together.
I rang the Indonesian consulate prior to going the first time with the card as I too was a little confused, and they confirmed what I've just written here.
What the card does is save a fortune on visas for yourself personally.... especially if you travel through the region extensively.
Regards
Damaii