PAL Wait Time

Icebane said:
Day 172

Good news! PAL has finally arrived. Unfortunately the rifle I wanted to buy 6 months ago has been discontinued and its replacement model isn't expected until the end of May... Shop owner said he'd see if he can still get one that may still be around, but not to hold my breath...

Nov 2, 2018 Signed up for CFSC
Nov 3, 2018 PAL application completed, no boxes checked, photo taken and signed by guarantor, two references signed. No history, no background (unless you count multiple security clearances with government of Canada...)
Jan 5-6, 2019 CFSC taken
Feb 1, 2019 Stamped test results received from province
Feb 1, 2019 PAL application mailed out snail mail
Feb 8, 2019 R.C.M.P. claim to have received my application on this date.
March 11, 2019 Credit Card charged $60, Application listed "in progress" on website.
March 19, 2019 Phoned in and was told application is with CFO
March 21, 2019 Online status now reads "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."
April 23, 2019 PAL arrives

Good luck to the rest of you. Hopefully it comes soon... I'm off to Service Ontario to apply for Hunter Outdoors card with firearm...
Click to expand...

Feb 8 to now is 75 days not 172. FWIW mine was received Jan 18 and I acknowledge I wasn't waiting for RCMP when I was fulfilling the parts I'm responsible for in the days prior to that. But congratulations anyway my man.
 
My pal renewal plus Rpal application got to NB on Mar 11 and on April 18th licence was issued....with this printer deal i hope to see the card by June. My son was issued his rpal licence a month ago and as of yesterday it is still waiting to be printed...poor kid already bought a sig p226 x5 and an m&p 15 online and is going crazy waiting so he can pick them up.
 
lxCaucassus said:
Im from Quebec. First time PAL/RPAL applicant, here's what I got

Jan 24. Handed RPAL application to Montreal Police
Feb 8. Application Arrives at Miramichi
Feb 19: Passed Bill 9 training
March 12: Application online, credit card charged

I called today, they said that all documents are in order and they are "scanning my photo" before doing the "eligibility checks". After that they would send it off to Quebec for final approval/investigation (because Quebec Does that)
Any suggestions on how to speed up the notoriously long Quebec CFO process?
Click to expand...

So GOOD news. The Quebec CFO finally got around to calling my references. they just approved my license. WOOHOO

So updated timeline:

Jan 24. Handed RPAL application to Montreal Police
Feb 8. Application Arrives at Miramichi
Feb 19: Passed Bill 9 training
March 12: Application online, credit card charged
April 24: Called by Quebec CFO for interview
April 25: "license has been issued"

It only took like, 92 days from reception to license. All it took is calling them every Monday, every week since the Quebec CFO got the details.
 
Mine says application received march 29 and my credit card payment was taken out yesterday April 26, 2019. For both restricted and non restricted. I'm in Ontario. I know this is a hard question to know exact but any idea of how much longer because I'm going nuts!! Also, what questions do they ask the references? Already have my safe and my club membership paid for. Luckily it doesn't kick in until my first round at the range. Was gonna buy 2 used firearms from the store in bc today only to be beat out by minutes. I'm losing my mind!!! Any help would be awesome. Thanks
 
The minimum 28 day waiting period starts on day they entered into the system. If you answered no to all the personal history questions and you have not been in trouble with cops in the last 5 years then the Firearms Officers in Miramichi will approve your licence without sending to CFO. Keep checking the website, it will happen sometime next week. However once your application status changes to licence issued then it will take one month to 40 days because they are having some licence printer problems.

If on the other hand there is any red flag then it can take up to 6 months while they investigate as your application is sent to Ontario CFO for further checking. Your references will most likely not be called.

Hang in there buddy.
 
quikcolin said:
Well... I didn't have much luck today. I phoned the RCMP and inquired as to the status of their printer related issues. My status relative to the backlog due to the printer issues, and also asked for my licence numbers. Before I go any further, I was nothing but nice, courteous and pleasant from start to finish with the representative on the phone.

I was met with a bit of resistance immediately. She wasn't really interested in having the conversation, it seemed. She promptly told me that it's not "printer issues" but "printer maintenance". I then proceeded to ask if that due to the fact that I'm "approved and issued" that I could be provided my licence numbers - at which point she sharply informed me that no one is to EVER obtain their licence numbers ahead of time. That we must wait until the physical cards are mailed out and in hand before we can purchase a firearm, ammo, etc (I desperately wanted to get into the conversation about how the number is all that's needed as most ammo and firearms are purchased online... but I knew she wasn't going to care). I explained to her the reason I called was due to the fact that I know of others who have been issued the numbers ahead of time due to the printer issues... she sharply told me "that's not possible". I then proceeded to ask where I was in relation to the backlog... she wouldn't look, but gave me a rough idea, saying "probably about 2-3 weeks before it's printed", she wouldn't look at my file specifically when I asked, and after I questioned her again looking for a better idea of where my licence was in the printing process (because many of you knew almost exactly when yours would hit the printer from conversations with the RCMP)... again she would only give me a rough idea based on her loose knowledge of the backlog - nothing specific relative to my licence specifically.

It was a frustrating conversation to say the least. She wouldn't offer up any cold hard facts, and just loose information relative to the situation. No licence numbers or further help. Again, I couldn't have been nicer, calmer and courteous.... but believe me, I wanted to pull my hair out. I must have be lucky enough to get the "wrong person". Boo.

I did tell her that I wanted the number so I could begin the process of purchasing a rifle that is very hard to obtain... that if I didn't get the number soon, it's very likely that the firearm would be sold and gone forever. Was that a mistake?

I'm thinking I should call back and get someone else who's a little more receptive?
Click to expand...
I called yesterday and spoke with a lady who wasn't very helpful. She kinda just brushed me off. Two weeks ago I spoke to a guy and he was very nice and helpful and everything he said was on point (credit card charge dates, when to call back if stats isn't updated etc.)
These guys probably get so many "where's my pal" calls that they have dreams about this stuff lol
 
Leigh7052 said:
From what I'm reading here it looks like it could take awhile for me to get my PAL, I sent mine in at April 19th. Guess I just have to be patient.
Click to expand...

You might not wait too long depending on your personal history. It’ll probably show up online just before the Victoria Day weekend. If you’re lucky you might get an approval by June!
 
Well here is my sad story. . .

Ontario:

December 9, 2018 -- Paid for CrFSC
January 12/13, 2019 -- Take CrFSC
January 14 -- Course results sent to FSESO
February 14 -- Paperwork received back from FSESO
February 14 -- Express Post application to CFP in Miramichi
February 18 -- CFP received application in Miramichi
March 15 -- Account is updated to "In Process" on CFP website
March 15 -- Payment Processed
March 26 -- Account is updated to "your license has been issued" (at which time I bought a CZ Shadow 2 online)
April 30 -- PAL received in the mail (no conditions)

I spoke with the CFP people today and they told me it would be another 3 - 4 weeks for my card with conditions attached to be issued. Arghhhhh. . . . .

.....................................

edit: Over the years I've had all of FAC/POL/(non-restricted) PAL. The restricted PAL was an upgrade.
 
kayakerca said:
Well here is my sad story. . .

Ontario:

December 9, 2018 -- Paid for CrFSC
January 12/13, 2019 -- Take CrFSC
January 14 -- Course results sent to FSESO
February 14 -- Paperwork received back from FSESO
February 14 -- Express Post application to CFP in Miramichi
February 18 -- CFP received application in Miramichi
March 15 -- Account is updated to "In Process" on CFP website
March 15 -- Payment Processed
March 26 -- Account is updated to "your license has been issued" (at which time I bought a CZ Shadow 2 online)
April 30 -- PAL received in the mail (no conditions)

I spoke with the CFP people today and they told me it would be another 3 - 4 weeks for my card with conditions attached to be issued. Arghhhhh. . . . .

.....................................

edit: Over the years I've had all of FAC/POL/(non-restricted) PAL. The restricted PAL was an upgrade.
Click to expand...
How did you place the order online without your card?


The website said mine was issued 2 weeks ago so i called today. Apparently the machine is still not working properly and they are only able to print at 50% I should try and call back in a couple weeks to see if mine is even printed yet. This process is unreal. Never have I seen such incompetency in my whole life. Is there really that many applications coming in that it takes months and months and months?
Ive been going to the post office 3 times a day for the last week. Guess I can stop doing that.
 
Talltimber1 said:
How did you place the order online without your card?
Click to expand...

The day the CFP website was updated to the "your license has been issued" I called the store and ordered the CZ Shadow. The person helping me asked for my rPAL info. I told him my name and PAL number (excluding the suffix .###x part of the number) and that it had been upgraded from my PAL to rPAL, but that I had not yet received the physical card for the rPAL. The clerk said that was not a problem as all the information they needed was available to them when they went to do the registration and transfer request (expiry date, last digits of the rPAL, etc), which was obviously approved by the CFP or CFO. That was 5 weeks ago. Had I not done it when I did, and only ordered the firearm today when I received my plastic today, I would have another 8 - 9 weeks to wait as the new rPAL plastic was put in the "print que" when the store requested the transport authorization and registration. That was 5 weeks ago as I said, and they now say another 3 - 4 weeks on top of that.
 
kayakerca said:
The day the CFP website was updated to the "your license has been issued" I called the store and ordered the CZ Shadow. The person helping me asked for my rPAL info. I told him my name and PAL number (excluding the suffix .###x part of the number) and that it had been upgraded from my PAL to rPAL, but that I had not yet received the physical card for the rPAL. The clerk said that was not a problem as all the information they needed was available to them when they went to do the registration and transfer request (expiry date, last digits of the rPAL, etc), which was obviously approved by the CFP or CFO. That was 5 weeks ago. Had I not done it when I did, and only ordered the firearm today when I received my plastic today, I would have another 8 - 9 weeks to wait as the new rPAL plastic was put in the "print que" when the store requested the transport authorization and registration. That was 5 weeks ago as I said, and they now say another 3 - 4 weeks on top of that.
Click to expand...

Oh I see. Different situation. Thanks for the explanation
 
Talltimber1 said:
Apparently the machine is still not working properly and they are only able to print at 50% I should try and call back in a couple weeks to see if mine is even printed yet. This process is unreal. Never have I seen such incompetency in my whole life. Is there really that many applications coming in that it takes months and months and months?
Ive been going to the post office 3 times a day for the last week. Guess I can stop doing that.
Click to expand...

Man I thought I was eager, but you actually go to the post office (not the mailbox) 3 times a day??

I keep hoping they'll get the second printer online soon, but that may just be a dream. How much could it possible cost to simply buy a brand new second one or even a third one and get this backlog cleared.
 
xeronine said:
Man I thought I was eager, but you actually go to the post office (not the mailbox) 3 times a day??

I keep hoping they'll get the second printer online soon, but that may just be a dream. How much could it possible cost to simply buy a brand new second one or even a third one and get this backlog cleared.
Click to expand...

I live in Port Hardy BC. Takes me 5 mins to walk across town and I'm off work with an injury.
But ya Im eager. Already spent a fortune on reloading gear and have made 50 rounds for barrel break in and scope sighting in.
I have another 50 pieces of brass prepped and primed, probably finish them today. Just leave them long and finetune them when I get my rifle.
 
Hi All, a newbie question here for those who live in Ottawa or others who might know. I'm looking for an establishment offering firearm storage solution. I recently got my pal/rpal and looking to buy a non-restricted if I can find a firearm storage facility here in the national capital region. PS: I do not intend to store firearm at home even with a safe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom