Remote Area Border Crossing Program

Travel restrictions to Canada are still in place. Visit Current border measures and requirements for information about how COVID-19 is affecting travellers, border services, programs and business.

The Remote Area Border Crossing Program facilitates the border clearance process for individuals wishing to cross the border into Canada in certain remote areas.

Temporary suspension

As part of border measures intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Canada temporarily suspended its Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program as of May 12, 2020. This temporary suspension remains in effect as long as COVID-19 border restrictions are in place. You may not use a RABC permit to enter Canada until current Canadian travel restrictions are lifted and the program is officially reinstated.

• will not accept new applications
• will not accept renewal applications for expiring permits
• will not issue a refund for previously issued permits
• will hold pending applications
• will contact applicants once the program is reinstated

The CBSA will keep members up to date as this situation evolves.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and persons registered under the Indian Act have a right of entry to Canada.

All other travellers must be travelling for an essential or non-discretionary reason (non-optional). Exempted travellers must report to an open port of entry to enter Canada.

More information

• News release: Temporary suspension of service at select Canadian border services locations
• Find out if you can enter Canada
• Mandatory isolation or quarantine

Program eligibility

Citizens and permanent residents of Canada and the United States are eligible to apply for a RABC permit:

• from Pigeon River through to and including Lake of the Woods
• the Canadian shore of Lake Superior
• Cockburn Island
• Emerson
• Sault Ste. Marie (upper lock system)
• Northwest Angle Area

U. S. citizens and permanent residents must meet normal Canadian visitor legislative requirements, as described in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. In general, visitors must be in good health and law-abiding, and they must have sufficient funds for their stay in Canada.

For more information on immigration requirements for visitors to Canada, see the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

You may not qualify for a RABC permit if one of the following applies:

• you are not a permanent resident or citizen of Canada or the United States;
• you have been previously charged with a contravention of customs or immigration legislation;
• you have a criminal conviction for which you have not received a pardon; or
• you provided false or incomplete information on the RABC program application.

Northwest Angle Area

Travellers entering Canada from the Northwest Angle Area, Minnesota, must contact the Telephone Reporting Center (TRC) before entering Canada, which can be done using a personal cellular phone or an Outlying Area Report Station phone to call 1-888-226-7277 or 905-679-2073.

Date modified:

2021-07-20