PAL Wait Time
- Thread starter rgh470
- Start date
Feb. 28th surprised to find the status says license issued
I wonder if having to call in about a typo (I misspelled a references e-mail) got eyes on it sooner than it would otherwise and sped up the process?
Hello everyone. Just created an account today to spread hope to those who have answered yes to personal questions on their application. I said yes to 2 of them. Also, I'm in Alberta. Not sure how the experience will be in other provinces.
Quick summary: I have unpardoned criminal convictions. Drug possession and assault on police officer (from resisting arrest). The charges came from poor decision making in 2018. I wrote a single page letter describing my life choices that lead up to the incident and the positive changes I've made in my life since. I doubted my application would be approved.
After a pleasant chat with a CFO agent this morning, I have been approved and expect my license in 2 weeks. We had a conversation where I was open and honest about my charges and past substance use/addictions. Basically a recap of the letter.
I applied July 4, 2023.
I called once a month since my application. Had a short chat, kept it pleasant, they made a note on my file each time I called.
I received a phonecall and was approved March 1, 2024.
If my convictions were more recent, the outcome may have been different. But they do recognize people are capable of changing for the better. Good luck!
Quick summary: I have unpardoned criminal convictions. Drug possession and assault on police officer (from resisting arrest). The charges came from poor decision making in 2018. I wrote a single page letter describing my life choices that lead up to the incident and the positive changes I've made in my life since. I doubted my application would be approved.
After a pleasant chat with a CFO agent this morning, I have been approved and expect my license in 2 weeks. We had a conversation where I was open and honest about my charges and past substance use/addictions. Basically a recap of the letter.
I applied July 4, 2023.
I called once a month since my application. Had a short chat, kept it pleasant, they made a note on my file each time I called.
I received a phonecall and was approved March 1, 2024.
If my convictions were more recent, the outcome may have been different. But they do recognize people are capable of changing for the better. Good luck!
How long was your conversation and how stressful and scrutinising was it? I note you said it was pleasant and short but still.
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How intrusive were the questions?
Hey All!
Figured I'd post my timeline in here, I'm in Nova Scotia.
CFSC completed on Jan 27
Submitted PAL application online Feb 03
Initial review complete Feb 09
PAL issued on Mar 03
29 days total between my online application and my PAL being issued with no boxes checked
Figured I'd post my timeline in here, I'm in Nova Scotia.
CFSC completed on Jan 27
Submitted PAL application online Feb 03
Initial review complete Feb 09
PAL issued on Mar 03
29 days total between my online application and my PAL being issued with no boxes checked
Basically revolved around why I want my license, if I'm employed and how long I've been with my employer, how my marriage is, asked about my drug history and how I'm doing now. Pretty much just a screening to see if I was halfway stable enough to own firearms again.
Sounds about right. Smaller provinces with fewer applicants seem to get approved fairly quick. My first application was in Newfoundland and I had it in under 2 months.
I was expecting at least 18 months in Alberta with 2 boxes checked. Fairly pleased with the roughly 8 months it took for approval all things considered.
It definitely is surprising, if you check boxes of a violent past, you can be waiting 3 years in extreme cases, but Usually it's 1-2 years.
If I had to hazard a guess I'd say it was a number of factors:
- First and only convictions, not a repeat offender.
- Violence stemmed from resisting arrest during a traffic stop, no weapons involved.
- Violence wasn't of the domestic variety.
- Was transparent about everything from the start.
Oddly enough, none of my references nor my wife were contacted at any point.
Located in Alberta, my son is coming up on his 2 year anniversary (from April 2022) from the date he sent in his application. AFAIK nothing in his application would have been flagged, he's reached out to them multiple times and all he's been told is it's with the office but applications are processed in priority with the 'interests of public safety'. We have no idea what that's supposed to mean, are they prioritizing applications for people with a criminal record over people with a clean history? Oh, and they have a massive backlog. Yeah, thanks, we already figured that out.
We know people who've applied since and received theirs within 3-4 months. Someone told him to try reapplying but he can't even reapply because he mailed everything in originally (he wasn't given an electronic option at the time).
Extremely frustrating.
We know people who've applied since and received theirs within 3-4 months. Someone told him to try reapplying but he can't even reapply because he mailed everything in originally (he wasn't given an electronic option at the time).
Extremely frustrating.
Does he continue to reach out to them? Once a month wouldn't hurt. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. Two years is wild. Especially since they constantly quote that 6-18 month timeline. If he didn't check any boxes, 2 years is definitely unreasonable.
Might be quicker to cop a conviction to speed things along. (Jokes, crime is bad).
Dark Alley Dan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Darkest Edmonton
For what it's worth, I dropped by the CFO's shop on Jasper Ave here in Edmonton about a month ago and spoke with a very helpful person.
She tells me that perfect online applications should be able to count on a six-to-eight week turnaround from submission to receipt of the license in the mail. She reminds us that if the app is perfect - t's crossed, I's dotted, clear pic on a plain white background, references in place, etc. - AND the application is done online, they should have it in your hands in a month and a half tops.
Errors in the app slow the process. Paper applications slow it up even more, doubly so if there are errors. You mail in a problematic app and they send you a letter requesting clarification. Your app goes back to the bottom of the pile while they await your response, also by mail. Do it online and they ask questions by email, which should be faster than awaiting Canada Post.
Your mileage may vary, but this timeline is the one I'm giving people who take the course with me.
She tells me that perfect online applications should be able to count on a six-to-eight week turnaround from submission to receipt of the license in the mail. She reminds us that if the app is perfect - t's crossed, I's dotted, clear pic on a plain white background, references in place, etc. - AND the application is done online, they should have it in your hands in a month and a half tops.
Errors in the app slow the process. Paper applications slow it up even more, doubly so if there are errors. You mail in a problematic app and they send you a letter requesting clarification. Your app goes back to the bottom of the pile while they await your response, also by mail. Do it online and they ask questions by email, which should be faster than awaiting Canada Post.
Your mileage may vary, but this timeline is the one I'm giving people who take the course with me.
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Saskatchewan Here
Sent in application back in mid september of last year
Recently emailed CFO
They said an officer was now assigned to my application and should be in touch shortly.
I checked one of the personal history questions.
Coming up on six months now, hopefully this is soon over, I don't even have a criminal record.
Sent in application back in mid september of last year
Recently emailed CFO
They said an officer was now assigned to my application and should be in touch shortly.
I checked one of the personal history questions.
Coming up on six months now, hopefully this is soon over, I don't even have a criminal record.
