PAL Wait Time

Newbie here, anxiously awaiting both PAL and RPAL in Alberta.

Mailed in the application on March 20, but did not think to do so registered mail, so I haven't had any idea whether or not it was delivered.

Today is the first day it appeared online, and my credit card was charged, so ...

3/14/18 Took PAL course
3/19/18 Took RPAL course
3/20/18 Dropped application in mail
3/27/18 Application received (according to RCMP website)
4/30/18 Application shows up online, credit card charged, status shows "Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress."

Relieved it shows as in progress, up until today wasn't sure it had arrived in Miramichi.

Will update when there's progress.
 
I'm 11 months in and still waiting for the initial process to be completed. Im In Alberta, and just read that someone else has been waiting 15 months. This really isn't looking too hopeful for having my license this summer.

I have called in, many times, and they always tell me to call back in 6 week, which I do, just for them to tell me again to call back in 6 week.

I did have a "separated within the last 3 years" check mark on the application. So I did expect it to take longer. Just not thisblong lol
 
My update - Rpal Upgrade in Ontario

Mar 15 - Hear about new gun control bill coming - Decide to do my RPal (Have PAL already)
Mar 18 - Complete restricted Pal course (Test needs to go for stamping)
Mar 20 - Got signatures from everyone and picture taken
Mar 21 - Priority mailed application and photo to Miramichi
Mar 23 - Delivered with signature (DAY 0)
Mar 23 - Sign up for club level course
Mar 29 - Test Stamped and mailed back (date on test)
April 03 - Join restricted shooting range.
April 03 - Test arrives back from stamping (Ontario)
April 04 - Called to ask where to send in stamped test. Told application not in system. Given fax number (Day 12)
April 21/22 - Complete club level safety course
April 23 - Called again to check about faxing, told not in system should be soon call in 2 weeks if not online (Day 31)
April 25 - Shows up online, Credit Card Charged - Called and faxed/emailed in report (Day 33)
April 26 - Emailed that form was added. Online changed to completed initial now in progress. (Day 34)
April 27 - Called to ask if anything was needed. Told its waiting for shoto scan. (Day 35)
April 30 - Called again to ask status. Waiting for photo scan then CFO for approval (Day 38)

May 02 - Called to ask status and if interview was ready. Was told this no longer is a requirement and they would contact me if needed. Lady was extremely helpful and explained/ answered a lot of questions. Current photo scans take 7-12 days generally but can be up to 2 weeks. After that goes to CFO office of your province. Ontario has been quick but she mentioned they are getting busier (My guess has to do with clearing restricted transfers.) Sometimes that can be quick with no issues on application (few days) sometimes it can take up to 12 weeks. She recommended calling in 7 days to verify the photo scan was complete and hopefully license was issued. One interesting point she made, once the new card is approved, that old one is no longer valid. So for that time she recommended not using the old card for anything or going shooting for those days while the new card is in the mail. (Day 40)

Hoping in a few days it is done and clears CFO quick!
 
ae92gts said:
I'm 11 months in and still waiting for the initial process to be completed. Im In Alberta, and just read that someone else has been waiting 15 months. This really isn't looking too hopeful for having my license this summer.

I have called in, many times, and they always tell me to call back in 6 week, which I do, just for them to tell me again to call back in 6 week.

I did have a "separated within the last 3 years" check mark on the application. So I did expect it to take longer. Just not thisblong lol
Click to expand...

You need to make more noise. Call every week. Ask what stage it is at. If it is at the CFO office in Alberta then call them directly and ask what you can do.

I have called almost everyday since mine went online. I am pleasant on the phone. They have no idea I have called previously. Sometimes you get someone very helpful sometimes not. But calling more means you get a shot at someone who will help. Explain you have a deadline you want to hunt this fall and missed all of last season. You still need to buy a firearm and learn to use it before september so time is starting to run out.

I would also file a complaint with the ombudsman from your province and if you have a Conservative MP I would go in person to there office and file a complaint. Make noise and push. Be pleasant but call and ask questions like you don't know the process. Does it always take 15 months? well no.. Then why is mine taking this long? Im confused? What did I do wrong? Who should I speak to to find out why I'm not being helped? Is something missing? Be polite and you will get there. I read a few years ago someone waited a year and called every week. It wasn't until he called the CFO he found out the CFO had missed something and was waiting on a letter from him. He never got the mail and 6 months went past. Don't be scared to call.
 
I'll be Calling again this week. I'm starting to get pretty annoyed at how long this is taking. I just assumed that since the phone interview the CFO had with my ex went as I thought it would (she hates firearms), that there would be an extra wait time.

Also I've looked online and can't seem to find a direct phone number for the Alberta CFO. Am I just not looking In the right places?
 
Hey guys just sent my RPAL/PAL away in April. Waiting for it to show up in their system. I didn't send registered mail or xpresspost so who knows how long it took to get to Miramichi. I'm sure it's there but hasn't started processing. I'll post by June again whether I have it or not. Happy to finally get in on these forums and shooting in general, passed my PAL back in 2015, just sending for it now.
 
Shackleton said:
Hey guys just sent my RPAL/PAL away in April. Waiting for it to show up in their system. I didn't send registered mail or xpresspost so who knows how long it took to get to Miramichi. I'm sure it's there but hasn't started processing. I'll post by June again whether I have it or not. Happy to finally get in on these forums and shooting in general, passed my PAL back in 2015, just sending for it now.
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When in April? Should not take longer then 7 business days or so.

Welcome to the forum!
 
Hey guys, having just been going through this application process myself, I know it can be frustrating. For everyone wondering and waiting, and for those who have been waiting for months, I do have some thoughts based on my talks with the staff at the CFC while my process was ongoing. FYI, my license was just issued and is in the mail now, will have it next week.

One thing that has struck me is that the staff at the CFC in Miramichi seem to be overall very good and helpful when you call. I called every week almost, from the day I sent my application in, to the day it was issued. Just politely asked if there was any updates, if they wanted more information, or if there was any way in which I could help them in the issuance. The answer was always "No, everything looks to be in order, but thank you for your call." My cousin went through this at the same time, did the same thing, and ended up saving a lot of time as he had missed one box on his application. Was able to correct that on the phone himself.

Another thing is that the larger holdups seem to be, at least in Alberta, based around not the date of the application, but the date on which the COURSE was taken. This is based off of not only the posts on here but off of anecdotal evidence from friends and family as well. In my case, I wrote my firearms test almost 20 years ago, but my instructor was very diligent and sent the tests/ results in to the government and everything was inputted into their system, so there was/ is a record. I believe that the inputting of the test into the system is the hold up in most Alberta cases. The main reason for this: Anyone can scan and edit a "copy" of their test that they send in with the application, so the CFO must compare the copy with the official turned in results. So you can have delays based on who did your testing, and how quickly they in turn sent in all the proper paperwork. One way to test this is to call the CFC and ask not for your application status, but to see if they have your test on file yet.

Anyways, just my two cents, and to be honest, could be complete bull####, as this is just put together from a small pool of data, but it makes sense to me. And hopefully, it will help out some other people.
 
Hey guys I sent mine from Northern ON, in April. Today is the 14th of May and they may be processing my app. When I called last Friday I was polite and asked why my birthplace wasn't being accepted for the online tool. They said my app wasn't actually in the system but was probably in the building. The 28-day waiting period wasn't over yet either though, I only wanted to see if it was received. Don't think I'll call every week but maybe again in June or end of May. Hope I get it exactly 45 days like some people. PAL/rPAL first time, no criminal record and no mental health problems.
 
Alberta pal/rpal timeline:

March 26, 2018 - Application received and Credit card charged on same day.

May 7, 2018 - Called rcmp regarding status, was told my photo is being scan, after that will send to Alberta CFO

May 9, 2018 - Called Alberta CFO, was asked to send them Letter of Good Conduct (Work Permit)

May 14, 2018 - No need to call again, Licence was issued.
 
hey new to this forum

My application showed up online and said "your application is currently being processed. you will, or have been contacted by phone or by mail for additional information" does that mean i missed something on the application?
 
Sent in application for non-restricted PAL on April 9th and it arrived on the 13th... App still isn't in the system. Called yesterday and was told that I'd be better off calling on May 24th to check the status.. Anyone have an idea as to when the application usually enters the system? Is it worth calling before the 24th to see how far along it is?
 
Last edited:
GunFan91 said:
Sent in application for non-restricted PAL on April 9th and it arrived on the 13th... App still isn't in the system. Called yesterday and was told that I'd be better off calling on May 24th to check the status.. Anyone have an idea as to when the application usually enters the system? Is it worth calling before the 24th to see how far along it is?
Click to expand...

Sent mine April 17th or 18th still not in the system. From what I've collected it can take a month to a month and a half for them to put it in their system. Kind of worried because mine doesn't even show as received.
 
Here is mine for reference. I have not seen any go into the system faster then 30 days.

Mar 18 - Complete restricted Pal course (Test needs to go for stamping)
Mar 21 - Priority mailed application and photo to Miramichi
Mar 23 - Delivered with signature (DAY 0)
April 03 - Test arrives back from stamping (Ontario)
April 04 - Called to ask where to send in stamped test. Told application not in system. Given fax number (Day 12)
April 23 - Called again to check about faxing, told not in system should be soon call in 2 weeks if not online (Day 31)
April 25 - Shows up online, Credit Card Charged - Called and faxed/emailed in report (Day 33)
April 26 - Emailed that form was added. Online changed to completed initial now in progress. (Day 34)
April 27 - Called to ask if anything was needed. Told its waiting for photo scan. (Day 35)
April 30 - Called again to ask status. Waiting for photo scan then CFO for approval (Day 38)
May 02 - Called to ask status and if interview was ready. Was told this no longer is a requirement and they would contact me if needed. Lady was extremely helpful and explained/ answered a lot of questions. Current photo scans take 7-12 days generally but can be up to 2 weeks. After that it goes to CFO office of your province. Ontario has been quick but she mentioned they are getting busier (My guess has to do with clearing restricted transfers.) Sometimes that can be quick with no issues on application (few days) sometimes it can take up to 12 weeks. She recommended calling in 7 days to verify the photo scan was complete and hopefully license was issued. One interesting point she made, once the new card is approved that old one is no longer valid. So for that time she recommended not using the old card for anything or going shooting for those days while the new card is in the mail. (Day 40)
May 04 - Called in to ask status. Still waiting for photo scan. (Day 42)
May 08 - Called in to ask status at 4:30pm. Still waiting for photo scan told it can be 45 days at CFO office. (Day 46)
May 09 - 7:30 am "Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued" (Day 47)
May 10 - Called to ask for license number and expiry. Was told the application was approved but not mailed yet. (Day 48)
May 14 - Called and told license had mailed. Got new PAL number and expiration. Called LGS to start transfers (Day 52)
May 15 - License Arrives (Day 53)
 
Shackleton said:
Sent mine April 17th or 18th still not in the system. From what I've collected it can take a month to a month and a half for them to put it in their system. Kind of worried because mine doesn't even show as received.
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Did you send it through regular mail or were you able to track it? Mine was signed for but still nothing is coming up when I try to check the progress online.. I'm just being patient since it's only the 34th day since it's arrival..I've heard about other people waiting up to 6 months!
 
GunFan91 said:
Did you send it through regular mail or were you able to track it? Mine was signed for but still nothing is coming up when I try to check the progress online.. I'm just being patient since it's only the 34th day since it's arrival..I've heard about other people waiting up to 6 months!
Click to expand...

If you dont have tracking its a guessing game. if you do have tracking it should come online around the day 35 mark
 
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