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Remote Border
Crossing
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
WHO CAN APPLY FOR AN RABC PERMIT
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 www.cic.gc.ca.
You may not qualify for an RABC permit if:
- you are not a permanent resident or a
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. This may include offences such as
driving while impaired, theft and assault; or
- you have provided false or incomplete
information on the CANPASS-RABC application.
FEES
$30 Canadian per application (non-refundable). Fees can be
paid via credit card, or by cash if applying in person.
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 in
any other location.
- Travelers crossing at any other location
in Canada must check our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca for information
on 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.
- RABC permit holders entering Canada where
there is an open CBSA office will not be exempted from the normal
reporting process.
- Dependants traveling separately must have
a copy of the RABC permit in their possession.
- 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
Fort Frances
807-274-3655
Rainy River
807-852-3341
Pigeon River
807-964-2093
Sault Ste. Marie
705-941-3063
Emerson West Lynne
204-373-2197
- 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.
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.
- You do not need to submit copies of
identification if you have received an 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) must
provide only a primary document.
Primary
Documentation
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
** Hospital certificates are not acceptable. |
Secondary
Documentation
Driver's Licence (preferred)
U.S. Social Security Card
Canadian Social Insurance Card |
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:
Fort Frances, Rainy
River, Pigeon River, Sault Ste Marie, Emerson CBSA ports 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.
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