Canada has extended the validity of active Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permits until 30 November 2026. The program itself will cease operations on 1 December 2026, after which travelers must report their entry through newly‑established telephone reporting sites or at a CBSA port of entry.
Extension and program closure
- RABC permits were originally set to expire on 13 September 2026; the extension adds three more months.
- The extension is the third such extension granted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
- Permit holders whose permits have already expired are not eligible for the extension.
- No new permit applications are being accepted as the program winds down.
New telephone reporting sites
Effective 1 December 2026, travelers entering Canada through the former RABC zones must report to the CBSA either by phone or in person. Designated telephone reporting sites will be established in the following areas (exact locations to be confirmed in the coming months with input from Indigenous communities, local businesses and law‑enforcement partners):
- Northwest Angle Area
- Canadian shore of Lake Superior
- Sault Ste. Marie (upper lock system)
- Cockburn Island
- Pigeon River corridor through to and including Lake of the Woods
When using the telephone option, travelers must provide identifying information, travel details, and answer CBSA questions; some cases will still require in‑person screening.
Enforcement
Failure to report to the CBSA can result in:
- Monetary penalties
- Seizure of goods or vehicles
- Potential criminal charges under the Customs Act
Who is affected
- Approximately 11,000 individuals use the RABC program each year.
- About 90 % of those users are U.S. travelers.
Overview of the RABC program
- Launched in 1990 as a permit system allowing pre‑approved travelers to cross into Canada through select remote border areas without stopping at a traditional port of entry.
- Eligible participants: citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada, and registered Indians.
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents must satisfy visitor requirements under the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act.
- Permit holders must remain within the designated remote zones, present the permit if stopped by CBSA officers, and declare any goods brought into Canada.
With the program’s termination, all future border crossings in these remote areas will require standard reporting procedures.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
