PAL Wait Time
- Thread starter rgh470
- Start date
Just got the approval from RCMP. (Non-Res)
37 days from the time that I sent in my application (Ontario) quite impressed with the turnaround and happy I have the number before the boxing day sales.
One question around that though, the lady on the phone said I could not buy anything without the card in hand. I was under the impression that if I had my number, that was sufficient for purchasing online. Any idea what the actual law is?
37 days from the time that I sent in my application (Ontario) quite impressed with the turnaround and happy I have the number before the boxing day sales.
One question around that though, the lady on the phone said I could not buy anything without the card in hand. I was under the impression that if I had my number, that was sufficient for purchasing online. Any idea what the actual law is?
I’d wait for the physical card just in case.
The mail-man?
Called last week with a Nov 9th received date. She told me to call if nothing changes by the end of January. My guess is typical holiday slowdown.
I finally got my PAL in my hands today, so I thought I would tell my story getting my licence
First of, it should be said that when your application gets approved is dependent on when the application that is sent is received (If its during a busy time like hunting season, the wait might be a bit longer), how much info or lack of info is on your application as well as your Provence (Ontario seems to be faster that Quebec or Alberta). Secondly you should know that when an application gets approved is at times completely random.
There are some people that have gotten there application approved on the 28th day, there are some people that have gotten there approval in a couple of months, like I did, and there are the unfortunate people who have to wait 9 months plus for approval and that's if you have a perfect record and no boxes checked. So what i'm saying is that you must prepare to call the RCMP/CFO if you want things to keep on moving, remember, you are dealing with the Federal government after all.
To speed up the process a bit, there are some things that should be done in order to get approved in a timely manner:
1. Make sure that you application is filled up properly and be sure that everything on the application is legible. If there is a messed up signature or improperly written credit card number it could delay your application until it's rectified and trust me, it can take weeks before you even know about the info that is missing on your application.
2. Send your application with tracking on it so you have a reference date to tell the RCMP when you call them
3. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO CALL THE RCMP OR CFO TO GET INFO OR TO SEE HOW YOUR APPLICATION IS GOING!!! The reason why I say that is because you might feel bullied when you encounter a rude phone agent or an agent that doesn't seem to want to give you the information you seek. Remember, its YOUR APPLICATION! You are responsible to get info and to see if there is anything that is need on your application, if you are not proactive you risk having your application being delayed due to stupid things like not having a payment method.
4. Be polite and patient (Even if they drive you up a wall). Like the bible says "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.", your applications won't get processed any faster if you behave like an A-hole on the phone, even if the person on the phone is rude first. It's better just to be as polite as you can while also having a back bone.
Now here are some quick notes:
- In provinces where your CFSC Report has to get stamped by the CFO to be valid (i.e. Ontario) its probably a good idea to send in your application without it with a note saying that it will come as soon as you get the report simply because it can be between 3-6 weeks till you get the report mailed to you. By sending your application without the CFSC Report it will begin the mandatory 28 day waiting period and by the time you get your report back, the majority of the time would have elapsed (Just keep in mind, info faxed to the CFP can take up to 16 days for them to add your info to your file, and even when they receive it, it would be prudent of you to call in and follow up to see if everything is on the up-and-up.)
- Remember, you can directly call the CFO of your Provence, just ask the RCMP to transfer you, or get the extension number
In my case, my application was received by the RCMP by Oct 29th, got approved on Dec 18th, 2018 and received my card on the 27th of December, and I got approved only because I was proactive and called my CFO in Ontario. I was able to give them the info which I was told was received by them (They didn't have my CFSC Report, so I emailed them it)
I know this was long winding, but I thought I would give back a bit by being as detailed as I can regarding the process, I hope this information helps.
Happy Holidays and Safe Shooting
First of, it should be said that when your application gets approved is dependent on when the application that is sent is received (If its during a busy time like hunting season, the wait might be a bit longer), how much info or lack of info is on your application as well as your Provence (Ontario seems to be faster that Quebec or Alberta). Secondly you should know that when an application gets approved is at times completely random.
There are some people that have gotten there application approved on the 28th day, there are some people that have gotten there approval in a couple of months, like I did, and there are the unfortunate people who have to wait 9 months plus for approval and that's if you have a perfect record and no boxes checked. So what i'm saying is that you must prepare to call the RCMP/CFO if you want things to keep on moving, remember, you are dealing with the Federal government after all.
To speed up the process a bit, there are some things that should be done in order to get approved in a timely manner:
1. Make sure that you application is filled up properly and be sure that everything on the application is legible. If there is a messed up signature or improperly written credit card number it could delay your application until it's rectified and trust me, it can take weeks before you even know about the info that is missing on your application.
2. Send your application with tracking on it so you have a reference date to tell the RCMP when you call them
3. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO CALL THE RCMP OR CFO TO GET INFO OR TO SEE HOW YOUR APPLICATION IS GOING!!! The reason why I say that is because you might feel bullied when you encounter a rude phone agent or an agent that doesn't seem to want to give you the information you seek. Remember, its YOUR APPLICATION! You are responsible to get info and to see if there is anything that is need on your application, if you are not proactive you risk having your application being delayed due to stupid things like not having a payment method.
4. Be polite and patient (Even if they drive you up a wall). Like the bible says "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.", your applications won't get processed any faster if you behave like an A-hole on the phone, even if the person on the phone is rude first. It's better just to be as polite as you can while also having a back bone.
Now here are some quick notes:
- In provinces where your CFSC Report has to get stamped by the CFO to be valid (i.e. Ontario) its probably a good idea to send in your application without it with a note saying that it will come as soon as you get the report simply because it can be between 3-6 weeks till you get the report mailed to you. By sending your application without the CFSC Report it will begin the mandatory 28 day waiting period and by the time you get your report back, the majority of the time would have elapsed (Just keep in mind, info faxed to the CFP can take up to 16 days for them to add your info to your file, and even when they receive it, it would be prudent of you to call in and follow up to see if everything is on the up-and-up.)
- Remember, you can directly call the CFO of your Provence, just ask the RCMP to transfer you, or get the extension number
In my case, my application was received by the RCMP by Oct 29th, got approved on Dec 18th, 2018 and received my card on the 27th of December, and I got approved only because I was proactive and called my CFO in Ontario. I was able to give them the info which I was told was received by them (They didn't have my CFSC Report, so I emailed them it)
I know this was long winding, but I thought I would give back a bit by being as detailed as I can regarding the process, I hope this information helps.
Happy Holidays and Safe Shooting
First time RPAL applicant here, checked all no, and no previous criminal record.
2018-09-28 - Application is mailed at the post office.
Tracking number: ####################
2018-10-03 - Application received by RCMP in NB. day 0
2018-10-31 - Application shows up online. day 28
- Credit Card charged
- Application #: ############
2018-11-15 Day 43
- Called to check status and ask about references and missing info
- Updated the mailing address
- Told that application was with the BC CFO
- Told that references didn't need to be contacted
- Man on the other end was very polite and very helpful
2018-11-23 Day 51
- Called to check status again
- Very helpful woman picked up the phone
- told them I needed it for biathlon and target shooting
- Put me on hold after saying that she would go ask about the status of my application
- Got transfered to somebody (Not the CFO) put on hold again
- Told that due to high volume and more extensive background checks to wait up to 90 days from today
to call again.
2018-12-28 Day 86
- Called to ask about status
- CFO put note on my file and said to call back in 30 days if nothing had moved.
- Good experience overall on the phone.
2019-01-04 Day 93
- Checked my status online, and RPAL was issued. Seems that none of my references, nor myself were contacted during the process.
- Overall, I am very satisfied with the process and how things were handled. BC here btw.
2018-09-28 - Application is mailed at the post office.
Tracking number: ####################
2018-10-03 - Application received by RCMP in NB. day 0
2018-10-31 - Application shows up online. day 28
- Credit Card charged
- Application #: ############
2018-11-15 Day 43
- Called to check status and ask about references and missing info
- Updated the mailing address
- Told that application was with the BC CFO
- Told that references didn't need to be contacted
- Man on the other end was very polite and very helpful
2018-11-23 Day 51
- Called to check status again
- Very helpful woman picked up the phone
- told them I needed it for biathlon and target shooting
- Put me on hold after saying that she would go ask about the status of my application
- Got transfered to somebody (Not the CFO) put on hold again
- Told that due to high volume and more extensive background checks to wait up to 90 days from today
to call again.
2018-12-28 Day 86
- Called to ask about status
- CFO put note on my file and said to call back in 30 days if nothing had moved.
- Good experience overall on the phone.
2019-01-04 Day 93
- Checked my status online, and RPAL was issued. Seems that none of my references, nor myself were contacted during the process.
- Overall, I am very satisfied with the process and how things were handled. BC here btw.
Going on 30 day mark in Quebec. Wish I would have sent in my application earlier. We did our course in Montreal and went on a trip right after before we got our card in the mail.
Sent registered letter for both and my gf's application (we are common law at same address)
Received December 5th. Sadly it's still not appearing in their system.
Sent registered letter for both and my gf's application (we are common law at same address)
Received December 5th. Sadly it's still not appearing in their system.
I tried something with the quebec cfo, was lucky it worked and I was issued on day 52 but the lady told me normally theres a 2 months backlog right now in quebec, plus the waiting in miramichi. My father sent his application the same day and it still with cfo.
Called in earlier today. Application received on nov 8th and appeared online dec. 3rd. Apparently the application is still being processed and isn't at the cfo yet. Getting a little irritated to be honest. Theres no reason for it to take so long to get to the cfo.
First time RPAL applicant in BC
Nov 26, 2018 - Received by RCMP
Dec 21, 2018 (Day 25) - Payment processed on VISA (I assume this is when it showed up online but didn’t check until way later)
Dec 24, 2018 (Day 28) - Payment posted to CC
January 9, 2018 (Day 44) - Still in process. Didn’t expect much because there were STAT days and holidays peppered in the period. Called RCMP and they said the following.
No missing information in application. Not with CFO. Currently waiting for the photo to be scanned in (not sure why this would take so long to scan something in). After that it MAY go directly to valid or it MAY go to the CFO for further review. Forwarding to CFO happens electronically.
So far no references nor myself has been called. No notice received either as my application is fully filled in.
Nov 26, 2018 - Received by RCMP
Dec 21, 2018 (Day 25) - Payment processed on VISA (I assume this is when it showed up online but didn’t check until way later)
Dec 24, 2018 (Day 28) - Payment posted to CC
January 9, 2018 (Day 44) - Still in process. Didn’t expect much because there were STAT days and holidays peppered in the period. Called RCMP and they said the following.
No missing information in application. Not with CFO. Currently waiting for the photo to be scanned in (not sure why this would take so long to scan something in). After that it MAY go directly to valid or it MAY go to the CFO for further review. Forwarding to CFO happens electronically.
So far no references nor myself has been called. No notice received either as my application is fully filled in.
- Location
- Vancouver area
Haha. Called in today to speak with the BC CFO and they suggested I call back tomorrow because there was a winter storm in Miramichi and they were closed, and apparently a lot of the BC CFO functionality is outsourced to them...
Ugh.
