Shorten PAL Approval Times

Nice! Mine was sent in and they received it on the 7th (as per Canada Post). Hopefully it will be online soon and I can move things along.
 
Great thread I was waiting myself just called in now after I read this. They were waiting for reference interviews but getting no answer so I had my reference call them. They had called me cause I missed a question on my application so they don't just reject/return app cause of missed name change question anyway.
 
PAL/RPAL showed up online a few days ago as "in progress". They have had it since December 5th. I called January 14th and was told that there is nothing I can do, not even have my references call in. I was advised to wait 30 days before I call again. The lady said it could very well be in the same spot even in a month and that they are having abnormally high mail volumes. I called twice more waiting about a week and a half each time, but then today (February 19th) they said they were ready for one reference to call in (4:55 PM). My reference called at 4:58. Checked status at 5:05... ISSUED! BOOM!
 
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rotaygreg said:
Hey all, long time lurker.

My PAL/RPAL was received in Miramichi nov 20 2014
Took about a month to appear online
I called as soon as it appeared online and there was a problem with my postal code. My postal code was changed on me (I didn't know they could change your postal code???). I got the updated postal code and gave it to them. Gave another week, called for an update, the woman on the line said to have a reference call in. About an hour after my reference called in I checked the status online, said approved. That was yestarday, 01/12/15. Just waiting on the mail now.

So excited!!!
Click to expand...

Did they phone you for an interview? They received mine the same day (11/20) and my reference phoned in and it's still "In progress". Getting impatient!
 
No, I didn't have an interview. It happened exactly like I wrote it. 2 calls from me. I wasn't pushy or anything. Im sure they get impatient people all the time saying they read "this" and "that" on the internet. I just called, was very polite and asked if there was anything I could do to help them along. Both times, the people I talked to on the other end were very friendly and helpful.

What province are you in? Im in BC. From what I've read on this thread it seems the biggest wait time differences come down to province unless you have some sort of problems with your application.

A friend of mine got his license in a similar time frame as mine about 6 months ago. They called both his references though.
 
My timeline so far: (*Final Update* 16/3/15)

-Took PAL/RPAL test Dec 3rd.
-CFO Stamped test results Dec 29th.
-Recieved test results Jan 9th.
-Mailed out application with picture (got it taken at Walmart, BTW. Trying to find the right size picture was driving me nuts) and test results via registered mail yesterday, Jan 13th.
-Application recieved in Miramichi Jan. 19th.
-Appeared online Feb. 10th.
-Called in Feb. 12th, told it should be about 3 weeks.
-Called in Feb. 19th, told they are backed up, it will probably be 6-8 weeks.
-Called in Feb. 24th, told my information is partially entered, but not yet ready for references to call in.
-Credit card charged Feb. 27th.
-Called in March 3rd, told one reference could call in. Reference duly phoned in.
-Online status changed March 9th - "Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued. If you have not received your licence within 2 weeks please contact the Canadian Firearms Program Toll Free number."
-License came in mail, March 16th.

Total time from test to license in hand: 104 days.
Total time from being received in Miramichi to issued: 50 days.
 
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Hello, Its just a waiting game. My information was received on October 10 they have talked to my references and I have called them twice. I was told by a very nice lady that she could see no reason why my RPAL would be refused and that they were back logged.
 
Interesting turn of events today.
I called today to check my status as it has shown up online. I was also told to try again in 30 days. I called to see if i could get my references to call in after i saw the earlier post today about having to wait 30 days.
Well whatever, can't do much about it.

Here is where it gets interesting

I checked my wife's application status online and her license has been issued!!!!
sent in same day
received same day
showed up online a couple days after mine
and no call to references either

So i suppose it has been a positive day :)
We can finally get our hands on our black friday purchase that our local store has been kind enough to hold for us (Shooters Choices in Waterloo)
and she can buy herself the bolt action she has been dreaming about
 
rotaygreg said:
No, I didn't have an interview. It happened exactly like I wrote it. 2 calls from me. I wasn't pushy or anything. Im sure they get impatient people all the time saying they read "this" and "that" on the internet. I just called, was very polite and asked if there was anything I could do to help them along. Both times, the people I talked to on the other end were very friendly and helpful.

What province are you in? Im in BC. From what I've read on this thread it seems the biggest wait time differences come down to province unless you have some sort of problems with your application.

A friend of mine got his license in a similar time frame as mine about 6 months ago. They called both his references though.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info. I'm in Alberta. I phoned in a few days ago and was polite and asked if there was any issues with my application, or if I could help with anything, and she told me to have a reference phone in. That was on monday and now it's thursday and still sitting at "in progress!"
 
LokiCat said:
Interesting turn of events today.
I called today to check my status as it has shown up online. I was also told to try again in 30 days. I called to see if i could get my references to call in after i saw the earlier post today about having to wait 30 days.
Well whatever, can't do much about it.

Here is where it gets interesting

I checked my wife's application status online and her license has been issued!!!!
sent in same day
received same day
showed up online a couple days after mine
and no call to references either

So i suppose it has been a positive day :)
We can finally get our hands on our black friday purchase that our local store has been kind enough to hold for us (Shooters Choices in Waterloo)
and she can buy herself the bolt action she has been dreaming about
Click to expand...

That's great news, when did they receive your application? Just curious since they told you to wait just as long as me.
 
Hello all,

New to the forum and the sport (hopefully). Have been using this guide to shorten my wait times and guide me through the process for the PAL and my first purchases should I ever get there

My question is, in the sticky it say when your status says "In progress" it means there is a CFO waiting to do your interview etc. I called in to get the status of my application and kinda force the interview but I was told it's in progress and will take 45 - 90 days? Is this normal or did I ask the wrong questions?

Time line:

CFSC taken NOV 3 certificate received DEC 5
CRFSC taken Dec 5 certificate received Jan 5
Application received Dec 18
Payment taken - Jan 15
Called in and faxed Course certificates today Jan 15
Called for status Jan 16 told to wait 45 - 90 days
 
B33Sting said:
Hello all,

New to the forum and the sport (hopefully). Have been using this guide to shorten my wait times and guide me through the process for the PAL and my first purchases should I ever get there

My question is, in the sticky it say when your status says "In progress" it means there is a CFO waiting to do your interview etc. I called in to get the status of my application and kinda force the interview but I was told it's in progress and will take 45 - 90 days? Is this normal or did I ask the wrong questions?

Time line:

CFSC taken NOV 3 certificate received DEC 5
CRFSC taken Dec 5 certificate received Jan 5
Application received Dec 18
Payment taken - Jan 15
Called in and faxed Course certificates today Jan 15
Called for status Jan 16 told to wait 45 - 90 days
Click to expand...

Ive got the same answer from them pretty much. Mine went into the system a few days before yours.
 
B33Sting said:
Hello all,

New to the forum and the sport (hopefully). Have been using this guide to shorten my wait times and guide me through the process for the PAL and my first purchases should I ever get there

My question is, in the sticky it say when your status says "In progress" it means there is a CFO waiting to do your interview etc. I called in to get the status of my application and kinda force the interview but I was told it's in progress and will take 45 - 90 days? Is this normal or did I ask the wrong questions?

Time line:

CFSC taken NOV 3 certificate received DEC 5
CRFSC taken Dec 5 certificate received Jan 5
Application received Dec 18
Payment taken - Jan 15
Called in and faxed Course certificates today Jan 15
Called for status Jan 16 told to wait 45 - 90 days
Click to expand...

It could be because you took your PAL and RPAL courses on two very distinct occasions. So they may be confused and have placed your application under special review.
 
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