PAL Wait Time

[Dave G27]

2/22/18 - Took the non restricted course

And has been showing the whole “initial processing complete” spiel ever since, the wait has been excruciating! Especially with a buddy recently getting his and seeing others here receive theirs in less time than I have! Not jealous at all! I’ve called twice and both times, although nice ladies, gave me the carbon copy response of wait a little longer

Will update back whenever it decides to issue the license.

Just had the web site change to issued, process took 49 days from the time it was received in Miramichi. You're right, it's a long wait. I think I will not allow it to expire this time.

[Canadianmo]

Finally an update from here in Alberta:

March 14, 2018: Took course for PAL
March 19, 2018: Took course for RPAL
March 21, 2018: Mailed in completed applications for both licenses. Used photo from Costco, they seemed familiar with the requirements.
March 27, 2018: Application received (I didn't know this until it showed up online a month later. I did not use registered mail)
April 27, 2018: Application shows up online, credit card charged, status shows initial processing complete
May 29, 2018: I called in, the lady who answered confirmed that the application was with provincial CFO, and that it was underway, wasn't missing information, and I should call back in a couple of weeks if nothing had changed.
May 31, 2018: Online status shows as approved and license issued.
June 6, 2018: License arrives in mail. 11 weeks from the day I mailed it, 12 weeks from taking the course, 10 weeks from when it apparently arrived in Miramichi.

Pretty quick, considering some people's stories on here. No issues on my application except divorce finalized in the fall, but separation more than three years ago. Never any criminal history or issues. No references called.

Picking up a rifle on the weekend from a family friend who no longer hunts, he's throwing in the locker for free. Time to hit the range!

[kinghunter]

had mine in the 35 days. my instructor told to call every day after the 28 day wait as they dog it but be nice when you call

[LEX416]

Sent my application tracked
forgot some of my dates but my break down is as following in Ontario

April 16 2018 - application received
30 DAY MARK - application shows initial process done
32 DAY MARK - called to make sure no info was missing, told photo was out for scan
52 DAY MARK - (JUNE 5th 2018) license has been issued.

This was for my rpal and pal
i was not contacted for a interview nor were my references.
Best of Luck everyone!

[Jargo]

6/11/2018 - pal has been issued according to the website!

Finally the wait is over with lots of summer time for the range!

[SturmPi0ni3r]

Got mine a while ago, took about one and a half month without me ever calling. I do a lot of travelling so kind of surprised me, was expecting it to take longer. I’m from British Columbia.

[Catzo]

Still waiting for mine to be approved. Just passed the 54 day mark. Really expecting it to be approved this week based on some of the recent timelines you guys have posted. But I can only pray.

All I know is its not with the CFO yet its still being worked on at miramichi. What theyre still doing with it is a secret they won't tell me.

The day I finally open up that web page and see the message has changed to approved will be the happiest day of my life.

[WaltherPPQ]

In Quebec.
R/PAL and PAL, first time. Clean application, no issues. Sent via Canada Post, XpressPost.

Day 1 Sent 30-Jan-2018
Day 3 Received at CFP 02-Feb-2018
Day 27 Came Online 26-Feb-2018
Day 27 Credit Card Charged 26-Feb-2018
Day 35 CFP sent file to Q-CFO 06-Mar-2018
Day 37 Q-CFO received file 08-Mar-2018
Day 47 Called Quebec CFO 18-Mar-2018
Day 66 Called Quebec CFO 06-Apr-2018
Day 84 Called Quebec CFO 24-Apr-2018
Day 108 Called Quebec CFO 18-May-2018
Day 133 Called Quebec CFO 12-Jun-2018
Day 133 Me and 2 references 12-Jun-2018
called
Day 133 License Issued 12-Jun-2018


Since in Quebec, the Sûreté du Québec does all the investigating, I have to wonder what the federal CFP was doing for 6 weeks until they sent my file to the Quebec CFO. I found out that the provincial CFO has 3 month from the time they receive a file to process it. In the meanwhile, every time I called, the answer was basically, "it's in the system."

It's very frustrating seeing people in Ontario, British Columbia and elsewhere getting their files processed in 30 to 45 days. I also note that both Ontario and B.C. have dispensed with the telephone interviews. In my Quebec experience, the telephone calls lasted 3 minutes and only repeated the questions that were on the PAL form. I sense that maybe Quebec is also leaning toward skipping the telephone interviews.

I honestly don't believe that Quebec is so overwhelmed with applications that it takes them 3 to 4 times as long to process a file. And, across Canada, I don't understand how the machinery chooses to process one file in 30 days and another in 6 months, when the applications are reported to be the same. I'm speculating that some people are just tagged for mysterious reasons and their files are put on the shelf as long as bureaucratically possible.

CFP main line: 1-800-731-4000
Quebec CFO: 1-800-731-4000 x7005

[salt lake]

PAL From QC:
2018-04-24 recieved
2018-06-01 initial process done
2018-06-15 licence has been issued
Me and my references didnt get any interview. Good luck everyone.

[Shackleton]

Thanks for your answers everyone.

So..
I sent mine April 18th, and it hadn't showed up on the computer system for a long time, like two weeks ago from today.
I sent it regular mail with money order and it was received on the 30th.
Two weeks ago I saw my application was in "initial processing".
Life goes by and tonight I sign in with my GC Key and my licence has been issues.
No references and no phone calls.


Cheers.