Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Quetico Forum :: RABC Renewal
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sns |
Applied by email Monday March 25... so basically four work weeks. |
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BonzSF |
Does last year's roll over to the next? Can you just renew it and not have to resend all the documentation or is every year a whole new process? Thanks for the information. Got our plan together to go up around Agnes lake this time. |
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Argo |
tumblehome: "I'm in the tech industry. People are generally far too trusting when giving up their personal information. Don't trust anything on the internet and don't trust any email you receive. Perhaps they could add it as a feature on the ArriveCan app. But since that scrawny little app that could have been conceived for half a million dollars actually cost Canadian taxpayers in excess of $50,000,000, as a Canadian taxpayer, I'm of the opinion the status quo is fine. |
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Gaidin53 |
Ryan |
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plander |
FYI below is automatic email response you receive upon email submission. ————————— ******************We received your email. Do Not Reply to this email********************* We process Remote Area Border Crossing applications on a first come first serve basis; there is no way to expedite your permit. If you require a permit in less than 4-6 weeks you must make an appointment at a Port Of Entry. For more information visit Remote Area Border Crossing Program (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca) We are unable to check on the status of your application, please allow 4-6 weeks for processing. If there are any documents missing or issues with your application your email will be deleted and you will receive a rejection notice with instructions to resubmit all required documents and completed application, we will not hold onto to incomplete applications. |
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BonzSF |
That's what I thought. I'm going in August but I'll get it now. I got my last one in March last year and I think it only took about a week. Better to get it early though. Now, tell me about tripping around Agnes..... or that's probably another thread! |
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thegildedgopher |
plander: " I submitted the application and passport photocopy via email on 12/27, permit received by email on 01/01. Super easy process. That’s really nice, and I think that communication is new this year. In the past it was just submit and wait and cross your fingers that the application was received, no confirmation at all. Which led to lots of folks calling to check the status of their application, which led to lots of grumpy OMR staff. Communication is a beautiful thing. |
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Banksiana |
Also got notice that I'm in custody in Azerbaijan . |
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pcallies |
Argo: $50M?!? Wow! Respectfully, Argo, the status quo leaves the “customers” of the Canadian government open to identity theft and the government itself in the position to enable identity theft. While it’s less convenient, the CBSA should remove the email submission option. If it isn’t affordable to create a “simple” secure document submission system online, the CBSA should go back to only accepting applications in person or by post. |
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Argo |
pcallies: "Argo: I don't dispute your sage advice. The status quo does permit the latter two options. The individual can assess his or her own risks when applying. At a minimum there should be a disclaimer to the applicant about the risks of using email to process an application. |
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Gaidin53 |
Ryan |
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tumblehome |
Would you log into your financial system and provide your most personal information of the new site didn’t use https:? |
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billconner |
On the in person, is that possible at any CBSA station? I'm only 20 minutes from a border crossing. That would be easy. |
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BWCAgoer |
If anyone else has more recent info, would be appreciated. I just had a guy late add-on to our trip and submitted his today. Going to be cutting it super close as our trip is end of May. fingers crossed |
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tumblehome |
Not saying what anyone should do but I've always been one to play by the rules just to keep myself out of trouble. Tom |
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Banksiana |
pcallies: "Banksiana: "Check-in is done on kiosk (iPad at outfitter) or via phone app. Passport or enhanced DL # required for check in. After checking in a Homeland Security officer approves or gets on the phone with you for direct query. After checking in you get a confirmation and are free to go. Part of the permit process for Quetico is an acknowledgment of the sharing of information." I have also "failed to report in a timely fashion" and had the CBP officer tell me "they could make me report to international falls". As for the sharing of information... when you check in at the ranger station at Prairie Portage part of the process involves you acknowledging that "your information may be shared across government agencies", this is new since the COVID border closure. As another note if you cross frequently (I took six trips last year) and use the phone app they rarely never talk to you (not once last season). |
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sns |
I had to wait to apply (waiting on new US Passport) and sent in the info 15 days ago, which was acknowledged. Was thinking I would have it by now, but no love. |
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sns |
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Wallidave |
Banksiana: "Wallidave: "Under primary documents required with a birth certificate it also mentions additional vax requirements info needs to be provided. Is that still true? This will be our first trip since 2019. I don't have a passport. We haven't been to Quetico since 2019. Where am I required to show my passport in order to re-enter the USA these days and how is it enforced? TIA. |
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Minnesotian |
EmmaMorgan: "This isn’t super recent, but I applied for mine on 2/22 and received it on 3/10. " That is about my timeframe too. Sent it in at the end of February and got it around Mid-march. I ended up mailing in my application and receiving an emailed permit. |
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Wallidave |
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schweady |
plander: Try the link below. That does seem to be the quickest and easiest. I hesitated filling it out the other day as the footer says 'BSF386 E (22),' which appears to indicate the year 2022, and I wondered if there might be a newer version out there. |
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EmmaMorgan |
Wallidave: "Under primary documents required with a birth certificate it also mentions additional vax requirements info needs to be provided. Is that still true? This will be our first trip since 2019. I don't have a passport. I don't see vax requirements on the website currently. Is your screen snip from an old version of the form? Here's a link to the current requirements: RABC Identity Documents Needed |
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EmmaMorgan |
EmmaMorgan: "Wallidave: "Under primary documents required with a birth certificate it also mentions additional vax requirements info needs to be provided. Is that still true? This will be our first trip since 2019. I don't have a passport. Sorry, here is the link: RABC Identity Documents Needed |
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thegildedgopher |
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moosedoggie |
I sent my application in on the 7th and received the permit on the 10th. |
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thegildedgopher |
Filed the applications for my dad and I today. Couple months ahead of last year so I feel much better. |
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portagedog09 |
That said, you can apply by email - possibly the ONE good thing that came out of the pandemic. They turned mine around and emailed the electronic copy back in four days. I don't suggest waiting until they get busy and flooded with applications, though. See the CBSA website for details. Good luck on your Agnes route. pd |
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DTrain |
Thursday May 9 (+16 days) - CANADA BORDER SERVICE COUNTER merchant authorization on my CC |
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bobbernumber3 |
Wish me luck! (I still have the secret Emergency RABC permit phone number which did the trick last year with less than a day to spare!) |
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TrailZen |
moosedoggie: "+1 on getting done now! Thanks to everyone pushing the "do it now" idea. I sent my RABC application yesterday afternoon at 3:18 PM EST, and received my permit today at 3:01 PM. Wow, 24-hour turnaround! TZ |
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plander |
bobbernumber3: "So far, the hardest part has been to download the application form. Tried downloading with Microsoft Edge, then Google Chrome. Form said I need an Adobe update. Downloaded Adobe (already had it). Wouldn't open document. Downloaded again. Did a left-handed, end-around, reverse document opening pirouette that opened the form. Recalling last year's debacle with sending blank forms back to Canada (twice), I filled-in the form, did a screen-shot, and saved it as a Word document. Try the link below. https://www.piragis.com/images/RABC.pdf |
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schweady |
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TrailZen |
schweady: "plander: Try the link below. Hey, Schweady--when I clicked on the PDF button here, I got (and continue to get) some BS about needing Adobe Reader 8 or higher, which I already have. When I clicked the PDF button a second time, TWO pdf files opened, both of which are designated BSF386E-23. I went back in and discovered that with EVERY click on the PDF button, the only "download" that appears is the reminder that one needs an updated version of Adobe. So, ignore the "download", but look on your toolbar for a new icon of the Adobe swirl pattern--that's the newer form. TZ |
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billconner |
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EmmaMorgan |
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plander |
schweady: "plander: Try the link below. Worked for me. I used that exact form for a 12/27/2023 email submission. I received the RABC on 1/1/2024 via email. |
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tumblehome |
When people get hacked or scammed it's usually because the gave someone the information freely. Tom |
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pcallies |
portagedog09: "RABCs are valid for one year from the date of issue. I just got mine and it says good from 6 January 2024 to 6 January 2025. If you have one from last June, it's good until this June. There is no renewal and they do not roll over - you have to submit the entire application each time. I'll say it again with more emphasis this time. Submitting personally identifiable information (PII) such as your passport via email is just asking for identity theft to occur sooner or later. Email travels in the clear through multiple servers, some more secure than others, before it arrives at its destination. If you don't think nefarious actors are electronically sifting through email servers, you're being naive. As long as you've got time, the safest option is to get it in person if you're close to a border station. The next-safest option is to submit via postal mail. |
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Jackfish |
Can you elaborate on why you're so firm in your thoughts about identity theft? Were you a victim of hacking? Do you work in IT in some regard? Sometimes when people say what you said, it's because they're paranoid by nature which doesn't necessarily offer support for their position. But, if you come from the computer and IT world and have dealt with hackers and other computer risks at your company, etc., it means more. I would like to see the RABC program work well and, more importantly, safely. Emailing is so much faster and efficient than snail mail, but if the risk out-weighs the reward, one shouldn't use that method. |
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pcallies |
-Peter |
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GBTG |
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pcallies |
billconner: "As far as security, I keep reading sending checks by mail is asking for trouble. Don't know how to consider mail vs email. From the CBSA RABC website (just do an internet search for “CBSA rabc”): In person If you are unable to email your application, you may present a copy of your application form (BSF386) and supporting documentation in person to a Border Services Officer at one of the following Canada Border Services Agency offices: Pigeon River Port of Entry Monday to Wednesday, 8 am to 8 pm Note Walk-ins are available, clients are not required to make an appointment. Sault Ste. Marie Port of Entry Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 am to 8 pm Call 705-941-3044 to make an appointment (availability is limited). Fort Frances Port of Entry Monday through Sunday, 24 hours Note Walk-ins are available, clients are not required to make an appointment. |
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schweady |
thegildedgopher: "One of the things I noticed on the latest (2023) version of the application form is that they no longer ask you the expected dates of your crossing. Just found that interesting. I used the Piragis form which I assume is a 2022 form. It asked for a "Date permit required," for which I entered an arbitrary 'April 1 2024.' Seemed to have no effect on the process or on the dates printed on the final RABC as it arrived. |
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schweady |
Hoping to go up to Sand Point Lake soon after ice-out (April this year??) to help my buddy open his cabin; customs at Government Island doesn't open until mid-May (in a good year). |
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thegildedgopher |
I filed 2 applications for our group on Monday, received one yesterday and one today—- so they are at 3-4 days right now. My dad’s address came back incorrect last year but when I called to fix it they said don’t bother, it doesn’t matter. Same error on this year’s doc so I guess they just have it incorrectly entered in their database. I’m glad to have it all sorted out early this year for sure! |
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Wallidave |
EmmaMorgan: "EmmaMorgan: "Wallidave: "Under primary documents required with a birth certificate it also mentions additional vax requirements info needs to be provided. Is that still true? This will be our first trip since 2019. I don't have a passport. Thank you, my snip was from links provided earlier in this thread. |
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schweady |
Wallidave: "...also mentions additional vax requirements info needs to be provided. Is that still true? This will be our first trip since 2019. I don't have a passport..." Nope. Also, start your passport application process ASAP. |
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Banksiana |
Wallidave: "Under primary documents required with a birth certificate it also mentions additional vax requirements info needs to be provided. Is that still true? This will be our first trip since 2019. I don't have a passport. A passport or and enhanced driver's license (not the same as a real id) is required in order to re-enter the USA |
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Walter Slayer |
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Banksiana |
Wallidave: "Banksiana: "Wallidave: "Under primary documents required with a birth certificate it also mentions additional vax requirements info needs to be provided. Is that still true? This will be our first trip since 2019. I don't have a passport. Check-in is done on kiosk (iPad at outfitter) or via phone app. Passport or enhanced DL # required for check in. After checking in a Homeland Security officer approves or gets on the phone with you for direct query. After checking in you get a confirmation and are free to go. Part of the permit process for Quetico is an acknowledgment of the sharing of information. |
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thegildedgopher |
For one trip we stay at a resort on the Canadian side just across the border and they handle the check in for us on their iPad right on the dock just before we leave. We just give them our passports and they do everything. |
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EmmaMorgan |
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pcallies |
Banksiana: "Check-in is done on kiosk (iPad at outfitter) or via phone app. Passport or enhanced DL # required for check in. After checking in a Homeland Security officer approves or gets on the phone with you for direct query. After checking in you get a confirmation and are free to go. Part of the permit process for Quetico is an acknowledgment of the sharing of information." Where have you seen that the Ontario Provincial Park (OPP) system is sharing information with the Canadian BSA or the American CBP? I thought maybe I had missed that so I just stepped through the reservation process (up to the point where I would have confirmed the reservation) and didn't see anything. If anything, it seems like the rangers have gone out of their way not to look at my RABC when I've pulled it out - like they want to make it clear that they're not in cahoots with immigration and customs. As an aside, I had a bad experience with US CBP last year. I made the honest mistake of forgetting to check in on the Roam app until evening when I got to Duluth. An agent called me and read me the riot act -- so much for trying to do the right thing. He said he could require me to report to the Pigeon River or IFalls CBP office immediately, but he'd let me off with a warning and put a note in my profile. I bit my tongue, politely apologized about five times, and said thank you. I'm under the impression that they don't even know I've left the country so my willingness to actually report reentry should be welcome. I understand that I am required to report as soon as I can (not as soon as is convenient) and they have a job to do, but my goodness, I've been in the middle of nowhere for a week or more and I'm voluntarily reporting my whereabouts. -Peter |
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Walter Slayer |
Walter Slayer: "I submitted on 3/30 and still waiting on mine. They process the payment 10 days ago roughly so would imagine I’ll receive early next week." Just got it in the mail so 3-4 weeks |
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sns |
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BWCAgoer |
One guy in my party just received his via email yesterday. Took exactly 4 weeks |
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HighnDry |
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mgraber |
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