PAL Wait Time

BOOYA!!
Super stoked, just checked today and my status online says license has been issued. I'm a bit surprised that it was issued quickly since I had to fax in some documents this past Friday (apparently my first reference put the wrong date of signing).
Timeline
Took the PAL/RPAL Dec 9 & 10 2017.
Mailed my application on January 11 received on January 18.
Faxed my certification course (had to wait 4 weeks to be mailed back to me) & new signature from my reference last Friday February 16. Also I could not fax my supporting documents until I received an application number.
Just checked today February 19, 2017 that it's issued. 33 calendar days from when my application was received. References were not called.
 
ian745 said:
the extension number for the BC CFO is 9530 call the main number 1-800-731-4000 keep in mind, you may not get the bc cfo, last time i tried they gave me one in Sask., doesnt matter, cause its all online, its not a piece of paper sitting on a desk somewhere, just call and be overly polite, get them laughing or smiling on the other end and they will be more willing to help out, rather then hearing grumpy people whining about how long it takes( note, i`m not saying you were, just making a general statement is all ), remember, the call centre agents are just that, call centre agents, getting mad or upset with them just means zero chance of a transfer to CFO, and if they do they will make sure the CFO office knows you were getting upset over the phone and ya, you will be waiting longer,

a friend is sitting at 18 months now cause he got a bit mad on the phone around day 60 i think it was, he`s given up calling, figures one day it`ll just show up

patience is key when dealing with them, if you push, they push you to the bottom of the list
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I called the BC CFO direct this morning and spoke to a nice lady who approved my application over the phone. I still have no rhyme or reason as to why it took 112 days to approve however I'm thankful i did call them directly as i have no idea how long it would have been if i didn't…no references called either!!!I immediately looked online after i got off the phone with the CFO just to make sure it was in fact for real haha - Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued!! Although its been a long painful wait at least i'll have the freedom now to not have to drag my girlfriend to the range every time i want to go shooting as she didn't expect that our new hobby would end up being our second home at the range lol
 
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Took PAL/RPAL course Dec. 13.
Recieved stamped results from Ontario CFO late January (had to get them re-sent)
Received by RCMP Feb 1
Showed up online Feb 22 - completed initial processing, please check at a later date.
 
Assistance if possible

DTC861 said:
Just an update guys, I helped him draft an official letter and he faxed it to the BC CFO office. within 30 minutes of sending the fax he got a call and was approved.
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Would you be able to provide me some guidance on drafting a letter as well? Im in Ontario, been waiting 6 months. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Jcue23 said:
Update
Feb 13 Current Status: 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. (1-800 731-4000)

No references called

Wow it was actually approved on the 28th day! I have literally never heard of that!
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Feb 26 PAL/RPAL Arrived in mail

Going shopping tomorrow. Also Canada post seemed to be the slowest part of this process for me hahaha
 
Bucktown said:
I have a friend who has been waiting for for 15 months. I'm wondering if anyone has any insight, or suggestions on what to do at this point. Details below;

Courses completed and sent application in Oct 2016.

RCMP cleared and sent off to Alberta CFO office almost right away and payment was taken from credit card.

No issues with anything that would be delay the application on his end, no criminal record, nothing that would flag their system. No references have been contacted thus far.

It appears the issue is within the (Alberta) CFO offices.

First time he called the AB CFO was feb 2016 and was told it could take up to a year from original application, no problems reported.

Second call was Sept 2017. Almost a year from initial application, no answers, no resolution, was told it seemed longer than usual but it may take up to a year and to call back in 6-8 weeks.

Called back in November 2017, (7 weeks later) which is was just over a year from initial application. Was told that it doesn't usually take this long but they couldn't/wouldn't tell him why it took this long. Still no contact to references.

Still nothing at this point, 15 months in, he's going to call again this week. Does anyone have any suggestions? Perhaps a contact number or email we haven't tried?

If they rejected the application for some reason, are they required to inform him? This is by far the longest application wait time I've seen personally or even heard of. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks all!
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call the AB CFO with area extension numbers when calling 1-800-731-4000
 
Update on mine:

Mailed 1/3/2018
Received by RCMP 1/11/2018
Showed in their system 1/26/2018
Approved and mailed out 3/1/2018

Right around 45 days from received date. This was PAL only, without restricted endorsement. No references called.
 
I'm envious of everyone that received their licenses in a month.

Miramichi received my PAL application on january 22 and I called a month later and the lady tells me that the CFO has my license and her hands are tied. I call back in 2 weeks and this other lady tells me that the previous lady inputed my last name wrong and that I #### you not, "They don't have my application, neither does the CFO and to hold" so I hold and she comes back telling me that everything is fine and that it's just going through additional screening, when I asked why the first lady said that the CFO had my application, she just brushed me off and told me everything was fine.

It's been 44 days for a measly PAL application, none of my refs have been called, I've been lied to, I don't know what to do. For all I know, these people probably lost my application and are lying to me again.

I have no criminal record, no on every box, what the hell is going on? I'm starting to just give up hope.
 
MR2 said:
I'm envious of everyone that received their licenses in a month.

Miramichi received my PAL application on january 22 and I called a month later and the lady tells me that the CFO has my license and her hands are tied. I call back in 2 weeks and this other lady tells me that the previous lady inputed my last name wrong and that I #### you not, "They don't have my application, neither does the CFO and to hold" so I hold and she comes back telling me that everything is fine and that it's just going through additional screening, when I asked why the first lady said that the CFO had my application, she just brushed me off and told me everything was fine.

It's been 44 days for a measly PAL application, none of my refs have been called, I've been lied to, I don't know what to do. For all I know, these people probably lost my application and are lying to me again.

I have no criminal record, no on every box, what the hell is going on? I'm starting to just give up hope.
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Also, my application showed up online a while ago, cheque was cashed, so what gives?
 
Call back in a week.

Make sure you’re in a good happy cheery mood. :). Chances are you’re almost there. Frustrating I know. Mine was received by them Feb 1. Still waiting. I’m expecting good news in the next week.
 
PizzaEater said:
Call back in a week.

Make sure you’re in a good happy cheery mood. :). Chances are you’re almost there. Frustrating I know. Mine was received by them Feb 1. Still waiting. I’m expecting good news in the next week.
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Yeah, I had to really fake that cheery mood but I called again and was lucky enough to talk with someone that actually cared and put some effort, she told me that I was at the final stages of the check and that this portion usually doesn't take long but of course, to call back near the end of march but I'll call every few days.
 
Maritimer67 said:
Maybe this is random additional screening? In any event, my additional screening led to a start to approval time of 6 months. Worth the wait.
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Yeah, one of them did mention "further screening" I hope that's not the case but it'll give me plenty of time to save up for something I want.
 
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