Shorten PAL Approval Times

austkwills said:
Started my course last night, and the instructor made a point of saying NOT to mail away the forms before you have completed the course or else they will not accept the application.... soooo?
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Our instructor sent the exam results in to the CFO after the course, then we had to wait for the CFO to send them back before we could send in the application. That took an extra 2 weeks.
 
I got off the phone with the RCMP. Turns out 7 weeks ago when one of my references did the phone-in interview. That the RCMP never recorded/saved any of the information. So according to them, it never happened. They were "waiting to hear back from my reference" of course they didn't contact the other one, or myself.
 
I called in to the RCMP earlier today, as their website for checking status is currently down, and according to "Connie" would be down for some time. She offered to check my status for me, and after confirming my identity, she then told me that I still had to do my interview. Apparently they were not busy, and she offered to transfer me to the dept in charge of the interview process. Gave me my case number, and extension to call if I did not get through. Transferred, reconfirmed all my info with interviewer. Interview done in 5 min. Texted my references with phone num, ext and case #, they both called, and texted me back a few min later, saying all was done, and seemed good. My app was received by RCMP on Mar 7. So guess we will see how fast this gets done.

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Just checked the CFP website, and after my interview they issued my lic!!! So I am the newest member of the shooting community!! Can't wait to get my first firearm!!
 
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Correct, but I'm just following the guidelines at the beginning of this thread that said you can send the application in early to get the ball rolling on their standard "28 day waiting period." I just attached a note to my application saying my exam results would follow.
 
Sunman said:
I called in to the RCMP earlier today, as their website for checking status is currently down, and according to "Connie" would be down for some time. She offered to check my status for me, and after confirming my identity, she then told me that I still had to do my interview. Apparently they were not busy, and she offered to transfer me to the dept in charge of the interview process. Gave me my case number, and extension to call if I did not get through. Transferred, reconfirmed all my info with interviewer. Interview done in 5 min. Texted my references with phone num, ext and case #, they both called, and texted me back a few min later, saying all was done, and seemed good. My app was received by RCMP on Mar 7. So guess we will see how fast this gets done.

***EDITED


Just checked the CFP website, and after my interview they issued my lic!!! So I am the newest member of the shooting community!! Can't wait to get my first firearm!!
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As am I! Congrats.

Already have 2 Restricteds I've paid for and now just a matter of getting them to my house now.
 
I did my interview and so did references, about a week and a half ago. Was told it had to go to BC CFO and it would be a while. I figure, wait another week or so and call again. Anybody have an idea how long it takes the BC guys to make sure your ok? The wife waited 30 days and called about hers. They told her they are very far behind and to call back in 3 weeks.
 
Woohoo........its right there on the site. Finally got it.
January 23 took test non-restricted
January 26 sent full application
January 28 registered mail signed for
February 16 shows up on rcmp website
April 5th was asked to provide a police record from a country I was living in 4 years a 7 months before the application date
April 9th submitted clear police background check document.
April 11th checked website and have a license number

Thank you CANADIANGUNNUTZ for all the info.

Now just to wait in the mail for it.
 
Just got off the phone with the CFC. The first lady had me misinformed, saying they mailed it out on April 1st. I was NONE to happy that it was not here by now. But after talking to the extremely pleasant lady on the phone, not 5 minutes ago, she explained that some of her colleagues interpret it differently. Sure, they may have issued my PAL on April first, but it takes a few days to process, QC and mail it, so I should give it another week. Also said that we're dealing with Canada Post here, so keep that in mind lol This lady was the perfect person for phone support. Very easy going, friendly, knows what she is talking about and perfect attitude for the job. First one I spoke to was all business and bit on the cold side.
 
Feb 20 Mailed in application
Feb 28 Actually recieved by RCMP
Mar 21 phoned in and did my interview
Mar 28 both references phoned in their interviews
Apr 7 letter sent out from CFO requesting more information (letter got o my house Feb 11)
Apr 14 phoned CFO office and learned the missing info was regarding former conjical partner...called her and asked if she would call in and talk to the CFO office directly to expedite the process... there are no issues between us so I am assuming it should be a pretty easy process from here?? or will they drag their feet at this point?? today is 45 days since they recieved my application. (EDIT) Ex. called and left voicemail at Ontario CFO office to have them call her back.
 
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Seems for whatever reason they are relaxing on the process, at least presently. I called in on Friday April 11 to confirm my application was filled out complete and correct and see if I could do my interview and get number for my references. She said yes, my app was all good and that only one of my references was to call in. I did not have to do an interview myself nor did my second reference she told me. I was not about to start questioning why. "Thank you very much" was all I said. He did call today midday and then messaged me letting me know it was done and went well. I did not expect anything but checked online anyhow. LO! I got the coveted update. Your licence( got the licence # too) has been processed and issued. If you have not received it in two weeks...yada yada..." So they got it [the application] March 6 and it was issued April 14. Not bad. Much better a wait than I thought. Yippie!
 
Island guy said:
Received paperwork March 5th
Checked online today when I got home from work says initial processing complete application in progress
Credit card charged April 1st
Will call in tomorrow and see if I can do my interview and get my references to call in :)
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Called in today to check on progress was told just needed to talk to one of my references.
Got him to call in today was late in the day as he was at work in the am.
Talked with him tonight he said all went well so I will check tomorrow and see what it says online ( fingers crossed )
This was for rpal and pal
 
Island guy said:
Congrats ( newcoyote )
I have the same timeline basically so I hope I have the same results
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Yeah, I hope so. Rootin' for ya. I was checking on my iPhone at work and the site changes when the update happens. It asks you to confirm your address and a security question. I got excited when I saw "Licence number" before getting to the actual update page. You might want to copy the number as soon as you see it. Good luck.
 
I'm in the same situation as you Island guy. I called in, got the interview the reference done. That was 2 weeks ago. No change in my status online.
Also did both pal and rpal. I was told it would be a while. Did you only do your pal newcoyote?

I'm thinking wait until the end of May and call in again. Unless of course it magically shows up in the mailbox. Can't see why it would take more than a week to check somebody out. But, have heard from people it has taken up to 9 months. Hopefully not.
 
I had the same experience as newcoyote.

  • Application (PAL & RPAL) sent on March 3rd (course results were sent later, on March 17th)
  • Application received on March 7th
  • Checked the website weekly. Just got the "your details don't match our system, please call..."
  • Last week it changed to 'in progress'. Called in to make sure everything was OK. They hadn't received my course results, so I faxed copies in. (I was told it could take up to 3 weeks to append them to application, but it was done two days later (maybe they just got around to logging in the results I'd mailed))
  • Called in last Thursday (Apr 10) and was told it was completed initial processing, but they weren't ready for interview yet.
  • Called yesterday (Apr 14) and was told that "as of an hour ago" there was no more requirement to interview me, just to have one of my references call in
  • Reference check was complete within an hour, and my status changed to "license issued" immediately.

I have to say, after reading some of the horror stories in this thread, my experience was quick & painless. Other than relatively long waits on hold, all the people I spoke with on the phone were friendly and answered all my questions.

Now I have to start trekking out to the mailbox every day!

:):):)

Last update: PAL / RPAL received Apr 28 - two weeks exactly from the date of issue, but that included the Easter long weekend.
 
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Pal arrived today.

My process was a long the lines of :

Feb 21st - Mailed Application.
Feb 25th - Received application.
April 1st - Approved licence.
April 15 - Received licence.
 
RPAL

Feb 24 Sent in application registered mail signature required

Feb 28 Application received but not signed for, so according to the tracking number it never arrived. After pulling my hair out trying to get answers from Canada Post for a month I cancelled my credit card fearing it would be compromised due to the lost application.

April 2 As soon as Canada Post informed me it did arrive on time, I went online and it said they needed more information (new credit card number I assumed), I called, they took the new number, charged the card, and forwarded me to the person who did my interview, my two references called shortly after and did theirs, I called back and she said everything was in order and it would be going to the Alberta CFO.

Still waiting for CFO approval.
 
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