Shorten PAL Approval Times

So an update for me, as noted before, my application was received April 13th and today, August 25, it FINALLY says online that my license has been issued. Gotta be some kind of record.
 
My details: Ontario first-time PAL/RPAL. I changed jobs last year, so I had to check that box on the application.

2015-04-10 Started looking for a Canadian Firearms Safety Course. All of the nearby (Guelph-area) ones were booked up for months.
2015-04-17 Found a CFSC in Toronto with openings in May, signed up.
2015-05-24 Took CFSC and CRFSC courses, passed.
2015-06-16 Got stamped "you passed the course" paperwork back from Ontario CFO.
2015-06-20 Sent application to RCMP.
2015-06-25 Application arrived at Miramichi.
2015-07-14 (+19 days) Application appears on the RCMP website.
2015-07-15 (+20 days) Cheque cashed.
2015-08-11 (+47 days) I call in and ask if there's anything missing from my application. My phone number area code was wrong (oops), and they said to have one of my references call in. One calls the same day.
2015-08-19 (+55 days) RCMP website status message changes to "issued"!
2015-08-25 (+61 days) PAL arrives in the mail.
 
Final update for my RPAL application timeline.

Location: BC
Licence Type: RPAL
Course completed: June 26, 2015, test results provided at the end of the course (no waiting for my score)
Application sent: July 17, 2015 via Registered Mail (Was busy with other things)
Application received by CFC: July 20, 2015
Application shows up on CFC web site: Aug 5, 2015
Reference called in for interview: Aug 18, 2015
Licence Issued: Aug 19, 2015
RPAL in Mailbox: Aug 26, 2015

Days from Received by CFC to in the Mailbox: 36 days

Faxed application for ATT: Aug 24, 2015 (was told that it should be later this week to get an emailed copy of the ATT)

Time to go shopping :)
 
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Starting to loose hope
Location Ab
Rpal app sent May 19
Appeared online June 28
Had ref call in July 12
July 20 told that it has been sent to cfo
Today is 99 days and the wait is agony
 
I'm in the same boat.
Location BC
New Rpal sent May 24
Received in NB May 27
Showed on-line June 18
Reference call in as of July 19
Sent to BC CFO July 27

Still waiting...was able to talk to the CFO's office, and it has been given to one of the firearms officers for further review, more than likely because I checked 'yes' to one of the personal history questions. Hopefully it will be coming soon as I am going hunting for the first time in October!
 
I didn't have any problems. In SK, sent in both, receipt showed June 24, got a buddy to call in for reference about 3ish weeks later, issued before the first weekend in August.
 
Here is my application timeline as of today:

Location: BC
Licence Type: PAL & RPAL
Course Completed: August 8-9, 2015, Test Results Provided Same Day
Application Sent: August 21, 2015 via Registered Mail (Busy With Work)
Application Received by CFC: August 26, 2015

I only have one question guys, what do I do now? I see all of you said you called in or checked online for status, well I never got a confirmation email sent to me nor any phone calls. So do I call CFC and inquire? What's the next step I do, have references call in? Please help, thank you!
 
Just to give you a comparison, I am still waiting for mine to be processed as well.

Location: BC
Licence Type: PAL & RPAL
Application Sent: July 28 via Registered Mail
Application Received by CFC: July 31
Application showed up online Aug 25

I called on Aug 21 to verify they received my app and that everything was in order and they told me it would be 4-5 weeks before it was processed, with no personal information asked for. I am planning to call in again soon since my 28 day wait is up.
 
GoodDoomguy,

Just wait 3 weeks from your received date for application status to be online.
Then check if your credit card already charge, 1 week after call CFC check if reference can call in.

Good luck.
 
GoodDoomguy,

I just received my licence 36 days after the CFP received my application.

I assume the Date received you listed is from CanadaPost or whomever you sent the application via. At 2 weeks (after application received), the application should be online. If not, call the CFP and ask them about it. In my case, my application showed soon after I called in. I was told on the call to check again in 3 weeks! Keep checking online and via phone until your application shows up online.

As soon as the application shows up online, call the CFP and ask them if there is any missing information in the paperwork. This would allow you to correct any small issues while on the phone with the CFP.

On or following the 28 day (after application received) call the CFP again. At this time they should tell you that they are ready for your reference to call in. Have one of your references call in. Leaving up to the CFP to call your reference will take an unknown amount of time. I had my reference call and within 20 minutes, my application status changed to issued. Only one reference needs to call.

If your licence is issued before a Friday then it will be printed on that Friday and mailed to you. If not then you will have to wait another week as it seems that printing and mailing are only done on Fridays. My license was issued on a Wednesday, printed Friday and in my hands the following Wednesday.
 
UPDATE
apparently the trick is to vent your frustration here and then call them. Online status after call "licence issued" blah blah
WOOHOO
Now it's the agony of an empty mailbox every day until it arrives

DAMN IT
 
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DoubleDouble - Thanks for the comparison!

ekosuharto - Thank you, and by "...for application status to be online." do you mean they will send me a web link? Or how do I check by then?

swan39 - Thank you, by the status "showing up" online is there a website I can go to?

ngblu - Congrats!!

dasbrow - Let's wait together!
 
dasbrow said:
You guys are lucky, my reference called in Monday and my license has still not been issued. I'm in Ontario and applied from my pal/rpal.
Click to expand...

I followed the OP's instructions and briefed my references as to the reason I wanted a restricted licence. This may have helped with the interview.

I guess YMMV.
 
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ekosuharto said:
GoodDoomguy,

here the RCMP CFP link : "http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/online_en-ligne/app_dem-eng.htm"
Click to expand...

Thank you ekosuharto. I went to the site and in order to proceed I need a GCKey. Do I sign one up, or will that key be provided to me?

Added: I called CFC just now, the lady said that they did receive my application yesterday, but that just means it is in their building and not processed yet. She said I could call in again four weeks from yesterday and by then if they are ready to conduct the interview I can have my references call in. I guess I'll wait a few weeks then :) Hope it'll be sooner but I can wait.
 
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GoodDoomguy said:
swan39 - Thank you, by the status "showing up" online is there a website I can go to?
Click to expand...

The link is on the first post of this thread. http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/online_en-ligne/app_dem-eng.htm

There are two ways to login. The easiest is through a partner verifier via an online bank account, otherwise you have to apply for access. I use TD Canada Trust's login. Once logged in, Click "Licence Applicant" to search for your application. You need to enter your name, birthdate and place of birth.

Cheers
 
Hey everyone! I've applied for my NRPAL and sent my request via registered mail on July 30th (received August 4th). My application was viewable online on August 26, and my credit card charged on August 27. I'm just wondering if anyone has had their references call in to the RCMP for a non-restricted PAL application to speed things up. Also, according to Canada Post, the mail was received August 4th but the RCMP website said it was received August 21.. I'm pretty sure it's based off of when they physically receive the mail and am really hoping this waiting game isn't starting off of the 21st. Any and all insight is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
 
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