Canada Border Services Agency extends RABC permits, outlines transition to new reporting system

After more than a year of uncertainty, outfitters, property owners, and other wilderness users who depend on Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permits received an update from Canadian officials on Dec. 19 about the program’s future.

For many, the update provided a sense of relief, as existing RABC permits will remain valid until Sept. 13, 2026.

Prior to the announcement from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), permits were set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025. RABC permits allow U.S. travelers to enter Quetico Provincial Park, areas of the Canadian backcountry, or a cabin in remote areas of Canada, without going through an official port of entry.

The processing of new and renewal RABC applications has been paused since September 2024 as the CBSA reviewed and updated the procedures.

“I believe that, at this point, any news is good news, as we have been waiting for quite some time. We are thankful that the existing RABC permits have been extended, which is great news for property owners,” said Matthew Ritter, co-owner of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters.

Voyageur Canoe Outfitters, located towards the end of the Gunflint Trail, serves as a marina for cabin owners on the Canadian side of Saganaga Lake and also offers remote canoe trips into Quetico Provincial Park.

While the Dec. 19 announcement brought some good news, it also left many with lingering questions about how the restructured program, expected to take effect Sept. 14, 2026, will work.

The existing RABC program will close on Sept. 14 and be replaced by a telephone reporting process.

“Replacing the RABC program with telephone reporting builds on processes already in place across Canada, where travellers are required to report to the CBSA from designated sites every time they enter Canada,” said Rebecca Purdy, senior spokesperson for CBSA. “This process ensures a consistent level of security and expectations of compliance for everyone.”

The telephone reporting system aligns with how travelers report to U.S. Customs and Border Protection when entering the U.S. in remote areas, the CBSA states.

CBSA said in the Dec. 19 announcement that the locations of the new telephone reporting sites will be determined in the coming months, in consultation with Indigenous communities, local businesses, and law enforcement partners.

“Our biggest concern is where and how the ‘reporting stations’ will function, as we are located in an area with little to no cell service,” said Ritter.

He said, “While we are hopeful and excited to receive updates, there is still a long road ahead as this new reporting program is developed and finalized.”

Another concern Ritter has is the status of processing new applications and the impact it will have on access to Quetico Provincial Park. “The longer visitors are unable to enter, the more concerned we become,” he said.

With only existing RABC permits being extended, and the approval of new applications unknown until the new RABC telephone reporting takes effect in September 2026, Quetico Provincial Park will see fewer visitors this upcoming summer.

“For the summer of 2026, access will be limited to those who either went on a Quetico trip in 2024 or received their RABC after September 2023,” Ritter said. “There is a considerable amount of work and communication required to ensure a smooth transition in September 2026.”

Kalli Hawkins December 22, 2025