PAL Wait Time

wesley.bc said:
From what I gather on this thread, it helps to consistently call in and ask for an update, politely of course, wouldn't want to piss off the wrong person haha
Maybe try your CFO, might be something as simple as an interview that's prolonging it. Best of luck to you.
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I called in a few weeks ago as scheduled to have a note sent to the CFO informing them I called. I called again 2 weeks later. The woman who answered the phone seemed very unimpressed and sounded like I just ruined her day and told me I don't have to call and if the CFO needs any more information from me, they will contact me. To my surprise, I got a phone call yesterday from an "unknown" number. Couldn't answer because I was at work. Got home, and it was the CFO. Said they wanted to talk to me. Called them today. They wanted to know some of my history. Answered all their questions, they said they need to review what we discussed and maybe contact my references if they feel it's necessary and hopefully have a decision soon :D Fingers crossed.
 
RYoung said:
I called in a few weeks ago as scheduled to have a note sent to the CFO informing them I called. I called again 2 weeks later. The woman who answered the phone seemed very unimpressed and sounded like I just ruined her day and told me I don't have to call and if the CFO needs any more information from me, they will contact me. To my surprise, I got a phone call yesterday from an "unknown" number. Couldn't answer because I was at work. Got home, and it was the CFO. Said they wanted to talk to me. Called them today. They wanted to know some of my history. Answered all their questions, they said they need to review what we discussed and maybe contact my references if they feel it's necessary and hopefully have a decision soon :D Fingers crossed.
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Sounds like you're making some progress, good luck! :)
 
wesley.bc said:
Sounds like you're making some progress, good luck! :)
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Yea, only took them 735 days from when they received my application to call me. I'm glad they're screening applicants, but there has to be rules set in place like, they have to call you after 6 months to give you an update, instead of you calling them repeatedly, taking time out of your day to sit on hold only to be given a vague answer that doesn't answer your questions, or something to that effect.

Thanks for the luck. I'm hoping I won't need it, but at the rate my experience has gone, I might need all the luck I can muster.
 
wesley.bc said:
28 days


UPDATE: Sent in my application a few weeks ago. Always wanted to get my PAL/RPAL and finally went for it after hearing Trudeau's plan to further restrict gun ownership.
Triple checked all documents and fields, nothing missing.
Application was very straight forward. No boxes checked. Never had any trouble with the law. No conjugal partner.

Timeline:

Sep 7th: CFSC (Passed 96% written, 100% practical)
Sep 8th: CRFSC (Passed 98% written, 100% practical)
Sep 9th: Mailed (Regular)
Sep 13th: Received at Miramichi (Found this out after it appeared online) - (DAY 1)
Oct 1st: Credit card charged $80 by RCMP & application showed online with the message "Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date." (DAY 21)
Oct 10th: "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)" (DAY 27) - Checked at 10pm PST - would be 28 days going by ADT

I consider myself lucky considering some of the horrendous wait times I have seen in this forum.
Time to wait for the mail then go shopping :)

No references contacted. First time applicant.
Province: BC
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FINAL UPDATE:

October 21st: Got license in the mail (DAY 38) - (10 days after being issued.)

It is election day and I am sad to see Trudeau win another term, even as a minority government. Guess we'll wait and see how things go. Time to buy an SKS before he bans everything.
 
RYoung said:
Yea, only took them 735 days from when they received my application to call me. I'm glad they're screening applicants, but there has to be rules set in place like, they have to call you after 6 months to give you an update, instead of you calling them repeatedly, taking time out of your day to sit on hold only to be given a vague answer that doesn't answer your questions, or something to that effect.

Thanks for the luck. I'm hoping I won't need it, but at the rate my experience has gone, I might need all the luck I can muster.
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Great news for you on the progress. I'm still waiting but there is clearly hope after all .
 
Trucksrfun said:
From the other forums I have read, it appears there is 3 stages of possible review. 1st stage is preliminary and anyone that’s dotted their I’s and crossed their T’s and have no red flags come up on their checks get approved at this stage... In BC it appears to be about 45-60 days. Stage 2 is where something questionable has come up that needs reviewing. Odd posts on Facebook (yes they can look) and other social media/public forums, etc. After review these approvals from what I’ve seen take 6-9 months. Then there’s stage 3. This is where investigation is needed.
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This was also insightful, I'm in the heavy stage 2 phase lol we shall see where it goes
 
Damgam74 said:
This was also insightful, I'm in the heavy stage 2 phase lol we shall see where it goes
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I have heard from friends that it is possible to get your PAL/RPAL with a criminal record. Even having weapons charges or a history of violence doesn't completely eliminate your chance of owning firearms. Obviously if you have a lifetime weapons ban, that's a different story. But, as I'm sure everyone here knows, each applicant is unique with their own unique history and reasoning for applying. So don't give up hope. I was also in the stage 2 which probably morphed into a stage 3, since I had a peace bond issued, which I did disclose, but they probably turned it into an investigation to figure out why I had a peace bond, doublechecked their homework, then called me. I just hope they don't need to break our conversation down word by word, tone by tone and bring in analysts and pick it apart over the next 2 years. But, I have their number now, they told me to call them if I have any questions, and in the meantime, they'll review our talk, contact my references if they feel it's necessary, then hopefully have an answer. I just hope it's before duck season ends.

Anywho, best of luck. Don't loose hope. I'm sure they are swamped and they are looking at your application, but if it still says it's under review, and you call in and the call center rep says the CFO is reviewing it, then it hasn't been rejected, and they're working on it. Fingers crossed you get the call soon ;)
 
The only thing they are consistent with, is inconsistency.
I renewed my RPAL online, declared a change of address along with a change of marital status. Without any reference or new spousal checks made by the CFO ..... had the new card in my mailbox 26 days later.
Go figure!
 
My application was received on 20th September. I called CFP and they told me that my application is with Ontario CFO for processing and there is a backlog hence I should wait for another week or so.

Does anyone know what stage my application would be in if it's with the CFO?
 
Sk669 said:
My application was received on 20th September. I called CFP and they told me that my application is with Ontario CFO for processing and there is a backlog hence I should wait for another week or so.

Does anyone know what stage my application would be in if it's with the CFO?
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As long as you have no history in CPIC, should be processed in a couple of weeks. If anything shows up on CPIC even from 20 years ago, it will be added to the pile of 2 year wait list.
 
jdmaks said:
As long as you have no history in CPIC, should be processed in a couple of weeks. If anything shows up on CPIC even from 20 years ago, it will be added to the pile of 2 year wait list.
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Thanks! I was being optimistic on getting it within 40 days after seeing some of the recent updates from people on this thread. :(
 
jdmaks said:
As long as you have no history in CPIC, should be processed in a couple of weeks. If anything shows up on CPIC even from 20 years ago, it will be added to the pile of 2 year wait list.
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Actually that’s false. If you have anything in the last 5 years you’re in for a wait. But past that doesn’t seem to matter much. It’s more than just your CPIC. Social media, medications, diagnosis especially for mental health are all relevant to your application too. If you don’t have an answer by 60 days I was assume it’s been sent to further review which can take 6-9 months for approval. And if you still don’t have it then it’s likely gone to a deep investigation that can take years as seen with one fellow on this thread.

I am by no means an expert but I have been up and down this thread and actively watching all the recent posts. That plus my experience has let me to these conclusions.

For instance. I have a criminal record. It wasn’t violent and didn’t involve weapons, and I received my license in 44 days. My spouse, no criminal record, but has some mental health issues that shouldn’t interfere with her application have delayed her application now to 125 days and counting. She’s called and asked specifically and was told he application had an issue and it’s before the CFO for review.
 
WestDrifter said:
The only thing they are consistent with, is inconsistency.
I renewed my RPAL online, declared a change of address along with a change of marital status. Without any reference or new spousal checks made by the CFO ..... had the new card in my mailbox 26 days later.
Go figure!
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I had mine in about the same time. Unless something flags, its about a month wait
 
Hello guys sorry newbie here they received my application on the 9 th of oct according to canada post but it havent showed online yet is it normal ? Thank you
 
Elidaaboul said:
Hello guys sorry newbie here they received my application on the 9 th of oct according to canada post but it havent showed online yet is it normal ? Thank you
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Yes perfectly normal. Takes a week or two to show up online. However the mandatory 28 day wait started the day it arrived. So the wait isn’t for nothing.
 
Trucksrfun said:
Actually that’s false. If you have anything in the last 5 years you’re in for a wait. But past that doesn’t seem to matter much. It’s more than just your CPIC. Social media, medications, diagnosis especially for mental health are all relevant to your application too. If you don’t have an answer by 60 days I was assume it’s been sent to further review which can take 6-9 months for approval. And if you still don’t have it then it’s likely gone to a deep investigation that can take years as seen with one fellow on this thread.

I am by no means an expert but I have been up and down this thread and actively watching all the recent posts. That plus my experience has let me to these conclusions.

For instance. I have a criminal record. It wasn’t violent and didn’t involve weapons, and I received my license in 44 days. My spouse, no criminal record, but has some mental health issues that shouldn’t interfere with her application have delayed her application now to 125 days and counting. She’s called and asked specifically and was told he application had an issue and it’s before the CFO for review.
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My app was in review for almost a year for something so trivial from the 90s. Yes I said 1990s. Background check for life has been happening way before c71.....
 
Elidaaboul said:
Hello guys sorry newbie here they received my application on the 9 th of oct according to canada post but it havent showed online yet is it normal ? Thank you
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2 weeks after the date they recieved it give them a call and politely ask them to update you on your application, it should be online the next day if it isnt already, i got mine approved exactly 28 days after them getting my application
 
A quick update:

I called the Ontario CFO and the lady told me that the application arrived a while back but hasn't been assigned to anybody yet. She also told me that applications take a few months to get processed. I guess I won't be getting pal anytime soon.
 
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