Shorten PAL Approval Times

[swan39]

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.

My application was received July 20, 2015 though it did not show-up online until Aug 5, 2015. That's 15 days after CanadaPost tells me that the application has arrived.

Don't wait 4 weeks (as the lady says), because they don't start processing until it shows-up online. The sooner you get your application online, the sooner they begin processing it. This is even before your 28 day mandatory waiting period is over.

Although my wait from start to end was only 36 days, during that time I was driving myself nuts obsessing over the wait time. Wait until you get the "Licence Issued" status... It got worse, probably because I knew that I can now go shopping but nobody will sell me anything until I have the actual licence in my hand. I took to hanging out at my LGS

If you intend to buy a restricted firearm, I would suggest that you sign-up with a club as soon as you get your licence number. A club membership is required for you to get your ATT (not sure what is going to happen after Sept 2 when the C42 provisions kick-in though, better safe than sorry). You can join Silvercore ($30) or DVC (ATT Membership $50) just for the gun-club membership or get a range membership (what I did while waiting for the licence to arrive).

Once you have your club membership, you can send in your application for a Long Term ATT so that you can take your restricted firearms to the range, gunsmith, gunshow, border to and from your home. The ATT is free, just takes time. Just make sure you FAX them a copy of your membership card. I made a mistake and sent my club membership application. That will cost me another 2-3 days to get my ATT. Make sure you tell them to email you a copy when it is available to save time.

The day I got the licence in the mail, I dove out of the house and bought a SKS with 1320 rounds of ammo. Learned to field-strip and clean the cosmoline out of the SKS that same day. I bought a set of snapcaps to practice handling the gun. Still waiting to go to the range to shoot it for the first time.

Still have to wait for the ATT before buying a pistol

 

[swan39]

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!

Base on what I've read, references are rarely (if ever) called for PALs. You still have to wait your mandatory 28 days, starting the day of receipt indicated on the web site. I would call them to make sure there is nothing missing in your application. You can correct any minor issues on the phone. Otherwise, if you have any errors or missing documentation, they will send you a letter thus delaying the process further.

On the 28th day (Sept 1/2) call them again for a status check. With luck, you will be told the licence is issued. Then the other waiting period begins...

 

[Bganz]

Base on what I've read, references are rarely (if ever) called for PALs. You still have to wait your mandatory 28 days, starting the day of receipt indicated on the web site. I would call them to make sure there is nothing missing in your application. You can correct any minor issues on the phone. Otherwise, if you have any errors or missing documentation, they will send you a letter thus delaying the process further.

On the 28th day (Sept 1/2) call them again for a status check. With luck, you will be told the licence is issued. Then the other waiting period begins...

Great man, thanks a lot! I will definitely give them a call and double check nothing is missing. I'm confused with only one thing you said, wouldn't 28 days "starting the day of receipt indicated on the website" be around September 18th? Or is it based off when canada post said it was delivered(which would indeed make it September 1/2. Thanks again!

 

[swan39]

Great man, thanks a lot! I will definitely give them a call and double check nothing is missing. I'm confused with only one thing you said, wouldn't 28 days "starting the day of receipt indicated on the website" be around September 18th? Or is it based off when canada post said it was delivered(which would indeed make it September 1/2. Thanks again!

The online status check shows the date the CFP officially received your application. This may/should coincide with your Canada post date.

The 28 days start counting down from this date. That is why you want to make sure your application is shown online ASAP as the countdown doesn't start until it does.

Thus based on your date of receipt of Aug 4 + 28 days = Sept 1. Call in to check things are moving along and you should see your PAL in your mailbox after Sept 1. Since printing is only done Fridays, you should receive it the following week. I got mine on Wednesday and I'm in BC. It looks like it took 5 days for your application to arrive in Miramichi so I would say Sept 9 (with all things being equal that is...)

 

[Bganz]

The online status check shows the date the CFP officially received your application. This may/should coincide with your Canada post date.

The 28 days start counting down from this date. That is why you want to make sure your application is shown online ASAP as the countdown doesn't start until it does.

Thus based on your date of receipt of Aug 4 + 28 days = Sept 1. Call in to check things are moving along and you should see your PAL in your mailbox after Sept 1. Since printing is only done Fridays, you should receive it the following week. I got mine on Wednesday and I'm in BC. It looks like it took 5 days for your application to arrive in Miramichi so I would say Sept 9 (with all things being equal that is...)

I checked the RCMP PAL Application Status and it says "Application Received On: 2015/08/26", but Canada Post mail tracking said it arrived 2015/08/04.. I guess I will be waiting until September 23 (August 26 + 28 days). Really wish I called them sooner and tried to get it into the system! I wonder why it took so long. I'll give them a call on Monday and make sure everything is correct. Thanks again for all the help, I really appreciate it. I'll update once it's processed and arrives!

Ps I'm located in BC as well, so I'm glad to hear it didn't take you forever to receive it once it was mailed.

 

[swan39]

That is strange the date of receipt is so different from Canada post's. I would definitely check with the CFP on Monday and tell them your tracking info says differently. Maybe they will change it for you. It would suck to have to wait another 3 weeks if it is their fault.

Bought my first gun (SKS), cleaned it Wednesday (the day the RPAL arrived) and finally shot it on Saturday. GREAT FUN!

Now if my ATT will finally get issued ...

Good luck!

 

[ian745]

That is strange the date of receipt is so different from Canada post's. I would definitely check with the CFP on Monday and tell them your tracking info says differently. Maybe they will change it for you. It would suck to have to wait another 3 weeks if it is their fault.

Bought my first gun (SKS), cleaned it Wednesday (the day the RPAL arrived) and finally shot it on Saturday. GREAT FUN!

Now if my ATT will finally get issued ...

Good luck!

i wouldnt bother phone them to get the madatory waiting time changed online?, that seems silly, doesnt matter what day they get it, we all have the 28 day wait, and after that its luck of the draw as to how long it takes, some people get it right away, some people wait months,,, i did my pal last year, took 95 days, just did my upgrade to rpal and that was 45 days from test day to day it was in my hands, one guy got his shows as issued on day 29, there are 2 people on here closing in on a year so far for the wait,

just be patient, getting demanding on the phone will more then likely result in added delays, one of my friends has been waiting a year now cause he tried to demand them to issue his license, so now it sits with the cfo till they decided its time,

 

[swan39]

i wouldnt bother phone them to get the madatory waiting time changed online?, that seems silly, doesnt matter what day they get it, we all have the 28 day wait, and after that its luck of the draw as to how long it takes, some people get it right away, some people wait months,,, i did my pal last year, took 95 days, just did my upgrade to rpal and that was 45 days from test day to day it was in my hands, one guy got his shows as issued on day 29, there are 2 people on here closing in on a year so far for the wait,

just be patient, getting demanding on the phone will more then likely result in added delays, one of my friends has been waiting a year now cause he tried to demand them to issue his license, so now it sits with the cfo till they decided its time,

Oh, I'm not suggesting that he get snark with the CFP. Just inquire politely as to the discrepancy. I have found the CFP staff is quite helpful if you ask politely.

 

[dasbrow]

just be patient, getting demanding on the phone will more then likely result in added delays, one of my friends has been waiting a year now cause he tried to demand them to issue his license, so now it sits with the cfo till they decided its time,

I am not going to call either for a while, I wonder if the system flags you if you call too many times. My daughter got her minors license issued Friday even though it showed up on their system on August 6, it's likely minors don't have a 28 day waiting period since they can't actually purchase guns. I am still waiting and they received it on July 22nd.

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

If by "delay" you mean the unionized, inappropriately empowered person on the other end of the phone taking the time to sort through the pile of papers on her/his desk, and shuffling it to the bottom, or "accidentally" allowing it to fall between the desk and the wall, yes, I'm sure that happens.

They are one of the most unaccountable, power abusing office in Canada. The only one worse is the Transport Canada Medical office, and the passport people are a close 3rd.

-J.

 

[Bganz]

Well I gave them a call today and asked politely if there was anything missing in my application that needed to be fixed or if references could call in (even though it's just for my non-restricted PAL) and she said that they started processing my application on Aug 26th (same date the website shows), and they've only just begun so nothing so far needed to be added/fixed and references can't call in until they've gotten to that point of processing. I also asked her why there was a discrepancy between when Canada post said it arrived, and when the RCMP website shows they recieved it. She said when they get the mail, they stamp the envelope with the current date, so once they start processing it they enter the stamped date under when they received it.

She didn't offer any assistance in resolving the discrepancy even though according to my registered ExpressPost tracking number that I mailed on July 30th (1-3 business days) said it arrived August 4th.

Anyways I tried to be as polite and friendly as possible and didn't push it at all but I will call back Friday or next Monday and try to see if anyone else there can help fix that date so I'm not waiting an extra 3 weeks...

 

[Big-B]

Well I gave them a call today and asked politely if there was anything missing in my application that needed to be fixed or if references could call in (even though it's just for my non-restricted PAL) and she said that they started processing my application on Aug 26th (same date the website shows), and they've only just begun so nothing so far needed to be added/fixed and references can't call in until they've gotten to that point of processing. I also asked her why there was a discrepancy between when Canada post said it arrived, and when the RCMP website shows they recieved it. She said when they get the mail, they stamp the envelope with the current date, so once they start processing it they enter the stamped date under when they received it.

She didn't offer any assistance in resolving the discrepancy even though according to my registered ExpressPost tracking number that I mailed on July 30th (1-3 business days) said it arrived August 4th.

Anyways I tried to be as polite and friendly as possible and didn't push it at all but I will call back Friday or next Monday and try to see if anyone else there can help fix that date so I'm not waiting an extra 3 weeks...

Don't worry about a extra 3 weeks. I have been waiting 3 months so far.

 

[Bganz]

Don't worry about a extra 3 weeks. I have been waiting 3 months so far.

Man that's rough.. I just don't understand why there's such a delay. Have you given them a call? Are you located in a province that's pretty backed up on applications? (if that's even a thing?) I'm located in BC.

 

[Big-B]

Man that's rough.. I just don't understand why there's such a delay. Have you given them a call? Are you located in a province that's pretty backed up on applications? (if that's even a thing?) I'm located in BC.

I am in bc as well. I have called many times. The last time I called I got forwarded to the bc cfo office. I was told it would be a while longer and could not be given a time period.

 

[Masendako]

So today is a good day...! Got my ###y piece of plastic in the mail!!!!!

oh, what to do now... i feel a slight shiver, palm is itchy... might be coming down with a case of the "must buy something shiny!!!"

Duration: 95 days (Mail to Mirimichi - License in Hand)
Province: ON
License: PAL/RPAL

 

[dasbrow]

My pal/rpal was issued today, turns out my wife didn't sign the declaration on the application, but did sign the photo - good thing or it would have been another few weeks.

As per my experience with RCMP/CFC/CFO - I would not say a negative thing at all (CFO). Considering we forgot my daughters declaration, delayed hers, my wife didn't sign my declaration and it turns out it's hard to time the test results for faxing in vs mailing them with your application. In some cases it would help speed up the process - waiting period but if you get the wrong person in Mirimichi good luck getting a straight answer. In my case Mirimichi didn't even tell me that my wife forgot to sign, that would have actually helped out the Ontario CFO. Speaking with a contact in the Ontario CFO she said "The agent looking at your file will be happy to know your wife signed the photo" missing information is a huge pain in the ass for them, she would have had to send me out a letter and try to contact my wife, etc. Time they don't have... All in all, I only had one agent I was not impressed with, but I didn't push it, just called back the next day and got someone much happier.

Any way make sure you double check your application and that nothing is missing at all or unreadable...

Total time from date application received 41 days. Not bad, would have had it a week earlier if the declaration was signed.

 

[swan39]

Well I gave them a call today and asked politely if there was anything missing in my application that needed to be fixed or if references could call in (even though it's just for my non-restricted PAL) and she said that they started processing my application on Aug 26th (same date the website shows), and they've only just begun so nothing so far needed to be added/fixed and references can't call in until they've gotten to that point of processing. I also asked her why there was a discrepancy between when Canada post said it arrived, and when the RCMP website shows they recieved it. She said when they get the mail, they stamp the envelope with the current date, so once they start processing it they enter the stamped date under when they received it.

She didn't offer any assistance in resolving the discrepancy even though according to my registered ExpressPost tracking number that I mailed on July 30th (1-3 business days) said it arrived August 4th.

Anyways I tried to be as polite and friendly as possible and didn't push it at all but I will call back Friday or next Monday and try to see if anyone else there can help fix that date so I'm not waiting an extra 3 weeks...

Sorry to hear that. Its unfortunate your application was delayed by 3 weeks due to an unknown factor. Hope you have better luck on the next phase of the process.

 

[swan39]

My pal/rpal was issued today, turns out my wife didn't sign the declaration on the application, but did sign the photo - good thing or it would have been another few weeks.

As per my experience with RCMP/CFC/CFO - I would not say a negative thing at all (CFO). Considering we forgot my daughters declaration, delayed hers, my wife didn't sign my declaration and it turns out it's hard to time the test results for faxing in vs mailing them with your application. In some cases it would help speed up the process - waiting period but if you get the wrong person in Mirimichi good luck getting a straight answer. In my case Mirimichi didn't even tell me that my wife forgot to sign, that would have actually helped out the Ontario CFO. Speaking with a contact in the Ontario CFO she said "The agent looking at your file will be happy to know your wife signed the photo" missing information is a huge pain in the ass for them, she would have had to send me out a letter and try to contact my wife, etc. Time they don't have... All in all, I only had one agent I was not impressed with, but I didn't push it, just called back the next day and got someone much happier.

Any way make sure you double check your application and that nothing is missing at all or unreadable...

Total time from date application received 41 days. Not bad, would have had it a week earlier if the declaration was signed.

Congrats!

 

[atlasshaking]

My Ontario rpal application
July 10, application in at Mirimichi
July30, Visa debit shows
Aug14, recieved email about missing info. When I called, they asked me how many guns do I have and where are they now? At this time I was also told to have 1 of my ref's call in.
Aug14, reference called in
Aug26, Checked website. Licence issued.
Sept2, Licence card in the mailbox.
Total time from start to finish, 55 days.
In my case everyone I spoke with were very polite and helpful. Being polite opens doors and gets questions answered in a timely manor. Patience is a key that will work well for the applicant of a licence.
Now to find a gun club in the Southern part of the Toronto G.T.A. that is accepting new members. So far none found in my quest. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[Tehchamp]

Well I gave them a call today and asked politely if there was anything missing in my application that needed to be fixed or if references could call in (even though it's just for my non-restricted PAL) and she said that they started processing my application on Aug 26th (same date the website shows), and they've only just begun so nothing so far needed to be added/fixed and references can't call in until they've gotten to that point of processing. I also asked her why there was a discrepancy between when Canada post said it arrived, and when the RCMP website shows they recieved it. She said when they get the mail, they stamp the envelope with the current date, so once they start processing it they enter the stamped date under when they received it.

She didn't offer any assistance in resolving the discrepancy even though according to my registered ExpressPost tracking number that I mailed on July 30th (1-3 business days) said it arrived August 4th.

Anyways I tried to be as polite and friendly as possible and didn't push it at all but I will call back Friday or next Monday and try to see if anyone else there can help fix that date so I'm not waiting an extra 3 weeks...

I paid to send mine registered, hoping that this would speed up the process, but based on what you've said, it doesn't look like it