Remote Area Border Crossing Program

The Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program facilitates the border clearance process for individuals wishing to cross the border into Canada in the following remote areas:

• 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

On this page

• Temporary suspension
• Eligibility
• Application
• Using your permit
• Permit expiry and renewal

Temporary suspension

The Canadian and U.S. governments have agreed to suspend non-essential travel between the two countries in response to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). During this time, all RABC members, including Canadians, cannot use their RABC permits to enter Canada. If the reason for your travel meets the exemptions of the current travel directives, then you must report to an open port of entry to enter Canada. Travellers leaving the Northwest Angle Area must contact the Telephone Reporting Center (TRC) before entering Canada, which can be done using a personal cellular phone or the public telephone to call 1-888-226-7277 or 905-679-2073. RABC members and prospective members should note that during this suspension, the CBSA:

• 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.

Eligibility

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

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.

Application

Fees

• The processing fee is CAN$30 per application.
• The processing fee is waived for principal applicants under 18  years of age.
• The processing fee is not refundable.
• The processing fee is for the primary applicant plus qualifying family members.
• Applications presented in person at a port of entry or CBSA office may be paid by cash, credit card, debit card or a cheque drawn from a Canadian financial institution.
• Applications presented in person at a port of entry or CBSA office may be paid by cash, credit card, debit card or a cheque drawn from a Canadian financial institution.
• Cheques drawn on U.S. bank accounts are not acceptable.

Mandatory documents

Submit identification every time you apply for an RABC permit. Each person 18 years and over must provide two pieces of identification: one primary document and one secondary document (see the list below).

Photocopies of identification papers are acceptable. Do not mail in original documents. If you submit a photocopy of the pages bearing your photograph and signature in your passport, no further documentation is required.

Each child (under 18 years of age) need only provide a primary document.

Custodial parents or legal guardians must attach a copy of supporting documents, such as a court order or letter of authorization if the application is for a child under 18 years of age who will be travelling with a non-custodial adult.

Submitting your application

All applications are thoroughly screened through various databases in Canada and the United States. False statements made on your application regarding criminal convictions or contraventions of the Customs Act or the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act may result in refusal to issue a RABC permit. In these cases, the CAN$30 processing fee is not refunded.

Application Form

In person

Applications can be made in person at any of the following ports of entry:

• Fort Frances
• Rainy River
• Pigeon River
• Sault Ste. Marie
• Emerson West Lynne

Applications can also be made at the Thunder Bay CBSA office, located at 201 North May Street.

By mail

To avoid processing delays at the border, it is recommended to apply by mail three to four weeks before your trip.

Mail your completed application and photocopies of supporting documents to the following address:

Canada Border Services Agency
201 North May Street
Thunder Bay ON P7C 3P4
Telephone: 807-624-2162
Toll Free: 1-877-854-RABC

• You must fully complete and sign the application.
• You must ensure that you have provided your credit card information.
• You must submit photocopies of all of the required identification.
• You will receive a mailed response, unless an interview is deemed necessary.

Application processing

The application processing time is three to four weeks.

Using your permit

Program conditions

• You must have the RABC permit in your possession when you cross the border into Canada at the remote locations identified above.
• RABC permits are valid only for the above locations, and may not be used to cross the border into Canada at any other location. If your RABC permit is expired, it will not be accepted.
• RABC permit holders entering Canada to work must be in possession of a valid work permit, where applicable, under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Reporting procedures

RABC permit holders entering Canada where there is an open CBSA office are not exempt from the normal reporting process.

Dependents travelling separately must have a copy of the RABC permit in their possession.

Declaring goods

All firearms must be registered and presented to the CBSA at a port of entry before being brought into Canada. Related forms are available from the Canada Firearms Centre and any CBSA office.

RABC permit holders who are importing goods that will remain in Canada, or who are importing goods over their personal exemption limit must contact a CBSA office prior to departing from the United States and provide a full description and the value of all such goods. A border services officer will issue a reference number to RABC permit holders and advise them of the steps they must follow when they arrive in Canada.

The following are phone numbers for port of entry offices to report goods that will remain in Canada or that are over the exemption limit:

• Fort Frances
  807-274-3655
• Rainy River
  807-852-3341
• Pigeon River
  807-964-2093
• Sault Ste. Marie
  705-941-3063

Be prepared to communicate the following information:

• a full description of the goods you are importing, including their value; and
• your credit card number

The CBSA officer will provide you with a reference number, which is your proof that you have reported the goods. Keep the reference number with you when you cross the border. A Casual Goods Accounting Document (B15) will be prepared and mailed to you, along with your credit card receipt. Keep a copy of this document on file as proof that you reported your goods to the CBSA.

For more information:

• I Declare – A guide for residents of Canada returning to Canada

Permit expiry and renewal

RABC permits are valid for one year from the date of issue.

Submit identification every time you apply for an RABC permit.

The phone numbers for RABC program port of entry offices are as follows:

• Fort Frances
  807-274-3655
• Rainy River
  807-852-3341
• Pigeon River
  807-964-2093
• Sault Ste. Marie
  705-941-3063

Date modified:

2020-05-15