Part of Minnesota Just Got Trickier to Visit Thanks to Canada?

For the average person, this will be a change that will make planning their vacation, or even getting groceries, a logistical nightmare. And it's fast approaching, with the new law going into effect in September, 2026.

It’s one of the most unique geographical quirks in the lower 48, but the Northwest Angle is about to become a lot more isolated. Due to shifting US-Canada relations and a desire to 'modernize' border security, the Canadian government is officially scrapping the permit program that thousands of Minnesota travelers have relied on for decades.

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The Upcoming Canadian Law That Will Affect The Northwest Angle

The Canada Border Services Agency recently announced that this September it will be closing the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program. The big effect this will have on Minnesota directly involves the sparsely populated Northwest Angle, a geographic oddity with around 120 residents.

The program has existed for decades and allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers—often anglers, boaters, and cabin owners—to cross remote sections of the U.S.-Canada border without having to check in at conventional border crossings. The only conditions are that permit holders pay $30 per application, adhere to customs laws, and declare any goods they’re travelling with.

-Cottage Life Website

What will this new law mean for your average Minnesotan? In short, a much bigger hassle. Beginning on September 14, 2026, any Minnesota resident who lives in the Northwest Angle will have to check in at the border or call the CBSA at 888-CAN-PASS.

A good number of people who currently have RABC permits frequent Canadian resorts for lunch, bait, and other supplies when in Canada. Others enjoy traveling to Kenora for the farmer’s market, to shop, or perhaps to grab lunch. The added hassle of telephone reporting may discourage these cross-border visits, impacting Canadian businesses.

-Lake of the Woods Tourism Website

READ MORE: What is the Northwest Angle?

To learn more about this story and how it impacts Minnesota residents, check out this article from Lake of the Woods Tourism.

Story Sources: Lake of the Woods Tourism Website