Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC)

The CANPASS Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program facilitates the border services clearance process for individuals wishing to cross the border into Canada at remote areas.

• About CANPASS RABC
  • Where is it available
• Eligibility
• Application
  • Fees
  • Mandatory documents
  • Submitting your application
  • Application processing
• Using your CANPASS RABC permit
  • Program conditions
  • Reporting procedures
  • Declaring goods
• Permit Expiry and Renewal

About CANPASS RABC

The CANPASS RABC program facilitates border services clearance process for individuals wishing to cross the border into Canada at the following remote areas:

• From Pigeon River through to and including Lake of the Woods
• The Canadian shore of Lake Superior
• Cockburn Island
• Sault Ste. Marie (upper lock system)
• Emerson West Lynne

Eligibility

Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, United States citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States are eligible to apply for a CANPASS RABC Permit.

United States citizens and lawful permanent residents must meet normal 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, please see the Citizenship and Immigration Web site.

You may not qualify for a CANPASS RABC permit if:

• you are not a permanent resident or a citizen of Canada or a lawful permanent resident or a citizen of 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 have provided false or incomplete information on the CANPASS RABC application.

Application

Fees

• The processing fee is CAN$30 per application.
• The processing fee is NOT refundable.
• The processing fee is for the primary applicant plus qualifying family members*.
• Applications made by mail are payable by Visa, MasterCard or American Express only.
• Applications presented in person at a CBSA port of entry or office may be paid in cash, by debit card or by a cheque drawn on a Canadian Financial Institution.
• Cheques drawn on U.S. bank accounts are not acceptable.

Mandatory documents

Each person 18 years and over must provide two pieces of identification: one primary AND one secondary document. Photocopies of identification papers are acceptable. Do not put original documents in the mail. If you submit a photocopy of the pages bearing your photograph and signature in your passport, no further documentation is required.

You do not need to submit copies of identification if you have received a CANPASS RABC permit in the last three years. You will need only to submit identification for family members whose names have been added to the permit.

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

Primary Documents	Secondary Documents**
Passport * U.S. Permanent Resident Card State-Issued Birth Certificate Canadian Permanent Resident Card Record of Landing (IMM 1000) Province-Issued Birth Certificate Citizenship Card Citizenship Certificate Certificate of Naturalization	Driver's Licence (preferred) U.S. Social Security Card Canadian Social Insurance Card

* If you submit a photocopy of the pages bearing your photograph and signature in your passport, no further documentation is required. 

**Please note that we do not accept hospital certificates, army cards, work identification cards, or any other form of identification not issued by the government.

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 Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) may result in the refusal of the CANPASS RABC permit.  The CAN$30 processing fee will not be refunded.

Application Form

In Person

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

• Fort Frances CBSA port of entry
• Rainy River CBSA port of entry
• Pigeon River CBSA port of entry
• Sault Ste. Marie port of entry
• Emerson West Lynne CBSA port of entry
• Thunder Bay CBSA office, 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:

Canada Border Services Agency
201 North May Street
Thunder Bay ON P7C 3P4
Telephone: 807-624-2162

• Applicants must fully complete and sign the application.
• Applicants must complete the credit card information section.
• Applicants must submit copies of all required identification.
• Applicants will receive a mailed response, unless an interview is deemed necessary.

Application Processing

Application processing time is three to four weeks.

Using your CANPASS RABC permit

Program conditions

• You must have the CANPASS RABC permit in your possession when you cross the border into Canada at the remote locations identified.
• CANPASS 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 CANPASS RABC permit is expired, you will be required to enter at a port of entry.
• Individuals crossing at any other location in Canada must use an alternative reporting program for their area.
• Permit holders entering to work in Canada must be in possession of a valid work permit, where applicable, under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Reporting procedures

CANPASS RABC permit holders entering Canada where there is an open CBSA office will not be exempted from the normal reporting process.

Dependents travelling separately must have a copy of the CANPASS 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. Forms are available from the Canada Firearms Centre or any CBSA office.

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

Contact information for reporting goods to be left in Canada or that are over the exemption limit

• Provide a full description of the goods you are importing, including their value.
• Have your credit card number available.
• 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:

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

Permit Expiry and Renewal

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

If you have had a permit in the past three years you do not need to resubmit identification as you would be considered a renewal and need only complete the application and credit card slip. No identification is needed unless you are adding people to the permit who have never been included in the application in the past.

Phone numbers for CANPASS - RABC Permit Program Port of Entry Offices: