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CANPASS – Remote Area
Border Crossing (RABC) Permit

Saving you time at the border

• Introduction
• How to Apply
• Where to Apply

INTRODUCTION

The CANPASS – Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit, a joint initiative of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, allows the bearer to cross the border into Canada at certain remote areas without reporting to a port of entry, as long as imported goods are declared.

The permit is valid for the following locations:

• from Pigeon River through to and including Lake of the Woods
• the Canadian shore of Lake Superior
• Cockburn Island

WHO CAN APPLY FOR AN RABC PERMIT

Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada and U.S. citizens and alien residents of the U.S.

U.S. citizens and alien residents must meet normal visitor requirements, that is, be in good health, be law abiding and have sufficient funds for their stay in Canada.

Applicants may NOT qualify for a permit if they have been previously charged with a contravention of Customs or Immigration legislation; have criminal convictions for which there has not been a pardon (this may include “misdemeanor” offences such as driving while impaired, theft and assault); have committed a criminal offence; or have provided false or incomplete information on the CANPASS – RABC application.

FEES

$30 Canadian per application.

PROGRAM CONDITIONS

• Permits are valid only for the locations listed above and may not be used to cross the border in any other location.
• Travellers who are not in possession of an RABC Permit or whose permit has expired must enter by way of a port of entry. Spot checks will be conducted periodically.
• Permit holders entering to work in Canada must be in possession of written permission from an immigration officer.
• Permit holders entering at an open, designated port of entry will not be exempted from the normal examination process.
• Dependants travelling separately must have a copy of the permit in their possession
• All firearms must be registered and presented to Canada Customs at a Port of Entry prior to being brought into Canada. Forms are available at 1-800-731-4000, www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca or any Customs office. If you have any questions about importing a firearm into Canada, call the Customs Office nearest to where you plan to import the firearm.
• Permit holders who wish to import goods must contact the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency prior to departing from the U.S. and must provide a full description of all such goods. A customs officer will issue a reference number and will advise the traveller of what steps to follow. The numbers to call are: 807-274-3655 (Fort Frances), 807-852-3341 (Rainy River), 807-964-2093 (Pigeon River), 705-941-3063 (Sault Ste Marie) or 204-437-2361 (Sprague) whichever is closest. Permit holders will not be allowed to report these goods to a port of entry after they have entered Canada.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A CANPASS – REMOTE AREA BORDER CROSSING (RABC) PERMIT

PROCESS

• Applications can be made in person or by mail.
• Applicants must complete and sign the application.
• Each adult must provide two pieces of identification: one primary AND one secondary document. Photocopies of identification are acceptable. Do not put original documents in the mail.
• Persons renewing an existing permit need only submit identification for family members who are new to the permit.
• Each child (under 22 years of age) must provide only a primary document.

Birth Certificates must have been issued by state or provincial authorities.

Persons in possession of a valid passport need only submit a photocopy of the pages bearing their photograph and signature. No further documentation will be necessary.

PROCESSING FEE

• $30.00 Canadian per application payable by Visa, MasterCard or American Express ONLY.
• A family may consist of a principal applicant plus spouse and dependant children.
• Applications presented in person may be paid in cash.
• The processing fee is NOT refundable.

Who are dependant children? Dependent children must be your own or the children of your spouse. They must:

• be under the age of 22 and not be a spouse or common-law partner; OR
• have been continuously enrolled and in attendance as full-time students in an educational institution AND financially supported by their parents since reaching age 22 (or from the date of their marriage if married before age 22). Students who interrupt their full time studies continue to be considered dependants as long as they are not away from school for a total or more than one year and continue to be supported by their parents during that time (school holidays need not be included). Applicants must submit proof that they qualify as a student dependent; OR
• due to a physical or mental condition, be unable to support themselves AND be dependent on their parents for financial support.

WHERE TO APPLY FOR A CANPASS – REMOTE AREA BORDER CROSSING (RABC) PERMIT

IN PERSON

The completed application and supporting documentation can be presented to an Immigration Officer at one of the following offices:

Thunder Bay Citizenship and Immigration Office
Fort Frances Citizenship and Immigration Office
Pigeon River Port of Entry
Rainy River Port of Entry
Fort Frances Port of Entry
Emerson Port of Entry

A decision will either be rendered while you wait or mailed to you within 48 hours.

PRE-APPROVAL BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE BORDER

Simply mail the completed application and photocopies of the supporting documentation to:

Canada Immigration Centre
Suite 108, 221 Archibald St. N.
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7C 3Y3
Tel: (807) 624-2162

WHY APPLY BY MAIL INSTEAD OF IN PERSON?

Whenever possible, applicants are encouraged to apply by mail.

• You will receive a mailed response, unless an interview is deemed necessary.
• If you have applied for and received your permit by mail, you will be able to proceed directly to your destination without having to divert to an open port of entry.
• Waiting times at ports of entry may vary. During peak travel times, line-ups can result in significant delays. Applying by mail can keep you out of the line-up.

Download Adobe® Acrobat file [Size: 154 K] Form ONT/IMM 7698 – Application for CANPASS – Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Permit