Shorten PAL Approval Times

Tehchamp said:
I paid to send mine registered, hoping that this would speed up the process, but based on what you've said, it doesn't look like it :(
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Hey Tehchamp,

Good news!

I gave them another call today and spoke with a really nice lady, who was beyond helpful and kind. I asked again how my application was going and if anything was missing/required or if a reference could call in to speed things up. She told me that everything they needed was there, they wouldn't be doing any reference checks (unless whoever they send the application off to for final review decides they want one) and that they just need to scan my photo into the system so they could send it off to be finalized/issued.

I then askedagain about the discrepancy between the date my registered mail said they received it(August 4th), and when the website said it was received(August 26th). She said that was a great question and that it didn't seem right, so then put me on hold. When she came back, she said that she spoke to her team leader and that the clerk entering in the data made an error and accidentally put the received date as the same as the day they began processing it. I gave them my tracking number and she said they would be sending an email off to the correct department to get that changed to the correct date, August 4th.

Once again I was very polite and appreciative. The second call was a completely different experience compared to my first and I just can't say enough good things about how helpful she was. Hopefully catching this error and continuing to try to fix it has reduced my wait time. Good luck and I'll keep this page updated as this continues to play out.

License: Non-Restricted PAL
Location: BC
Application Received: August 4, 2015
Viewable Online: August 26, 2015
Credit Card Charged: August 27, 2015
 
Bganz said:
Hey Tehchamp,

Good news!

I gave them another call today and spoke with a really nice lady, who was beyond helpful and kind. I asked again how my application was going and if anything was missing/required or if a reference could call in to speed things up. She told me that everything they needed was there, they wouldn't be doing any reference checks (unless whoever they send the application off to for final review decides they want one) and that they just need to scan my photo into the system so they could send it off to be finalized/issued.

I then askedagain about the discrepancy between the date my registered mail said they received it(August 4th), and when the website said it was received(August 26th). She said that was a great question and that it didn't seem right, so then put me on hold. When she came back, she said that she spoke to her team leader and that the clerk entering in the data made an error and accidentally put the received date as the same as the day they began processing it. I gave them my tracking number and she said they would be sending an email off to the correct department to get that changed to the correct date, August 4th.

Once again I was very polite and appreciative. The second call was a completely different experience compared to my first and I just can't say enough good things about how helpful she was. Hopefully catching this error and continuing to try to fix it has reduced my wait time. Good luck and I'll keep this page updated as this continues to play out.

License: Non-Restricted PAL
Location: BC
Application Received: August 4, 2015
Viewable Online: August 26, 2015
Credit Card Charged: August 27, 2015
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Good to hear that the CFP will correct their mistakes :)

That's me own experience as well. Helps tremendously if you get a helpful person on the other end of the line. Being polite is a great door opener as well.

Looks like you should have your license issued soon...
 
Masendako said:
So today is a good day...! Got my ###y piece of plastic in the mail!!!!!

oh, what to do now... i feel a slight shiver, palm is itchy... might be coming down with a case of the "must buy something shiny!!!"

Duration: 95 days (Mail to Mirimichi - License in Hand)
Province: ON
License: PAL/RPAL
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Im from Ottawa as well and I sure hope it doesn't take 95 days for me. Just got confirmation on canada post that my application was delivered today. Here's hoping for the best :S
 
andrewg said:
True. Lol, now I will be checking everyday in anticipation and waiting for that phone call
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I'm still waiting myself. I called day 25 and was told they weren't ready, then told to call back in a week.
The lady also said that only one reference would need a 3min interview and they wouldn't even need to talk to me.
This is for a pal/rpal.
 
PingoBags said:
I'm still waiting myself. I called day 25 and was told they weren't ready, then told to call back in a week.
The lady also said that only one reference would need a 3min interview and they wouldn't even need to talk to me.
This is for a pal/rpal.
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Seems they keep changing the process. I've heard before that they call both references and that they also conduct a phone interview with the applicant. Too bad this process isn't more standardized and predictable with relation to wait times.
 
Tehchamp said:
Seems they keep changing the process. I've heard before that they call both references and that they also conduct a phone interview with the applicant. Too bad this process isn't more standardized and predictable with relation to wait times.
Click to expand...

I called today because my online status changed from *Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress*
to *You have been, or will be contacted either by phone or by mail for additional information.*

Turns out it was just my debit visa info. I was also able to put my reference on the phone because he was with me.
I asked her if she wanted me to do my interview and she said it wasn't needed and that they have everything they needed, just waiting on the photo scan.

So I guess that part was correct, just one reference and that's it.
NS btw.

Day 32 at this point.
 
For Ontario Non-Restricted PAL

CFSC taken July 26th
Rec'd Results: Aug 27th (because CanadaPost has no idea how to read an address properly...)
App Sent: Aug 28 Xpresspost
Signed Rec'd by RCMP: Aug 31st
Shows Up online with correct rec'd date: Sept 17th

Moving faster than I anticipated. And now we wait...
 
August 4/5 Completed Pal/RPal (Hnatiuk's Hunting & Fishing, NS)

August 11 Form posted priority mail

Sept 2 Current Status: Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress.

Sept 8 Called in to do my interview but was told to call back in a week and they would only need to talk to one reference
and that i wouldn't need to do an interview.

Sept 14
Current Status: Your application has been received. It is currently being processed.
You have been, or will be contacted either by phone or by mail for additional information.

Sept 15
Called to find out what info was missing, turns out their computer wouldn't accept my visa debit so had to use a real visa.
After that, my reference was interviewed and she said my application is now ready for the picture scan.
Current Status: Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress.

Sept 18 Friday
Current Status: Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued.

37 Days from received to approved.
 
ian745 said:
i wouldnt bother phone them to get the madatory waiting time changed online?, that seems silly, doesnt matter what day they get it, we all have the 28 day wait, and after that its luck of the draw as to how long it takes, some people get it right away, some people wait months,,, i did my pal last year, took 95 days, just did my upgrade to rpal and that was 45 days from test day to day it was in my hands, one guy got his shows as issued on day 29, there are 2 people on here closing in on a year so far for the wait,
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Why did you post that on here?
Your speculation/guesses are wrong, the receipt date is important, that starts the 28 day clock, why should an applicant wait an extra 3 weeks due to an error which can be fixed.
Wait times do vary dramatically but someone who is willing to contact them can often keep that wait to a minimum.
If you don't feel like contacting them fine, that is your right. But your advice that contacting the issuing authority will delay their application is also wrong.
Of course cordial inquiries work better than rude demands but who needs to be given that advice?
 
calalta said:
Why did you post that on here?
Your speculation/guesses are wrong, the receipt date is important, that starts the 28 day clock, why should an applicant wait an extra 3 weeks due to an error which can be fixed.
Wait times do vary dramatically but someone who is willing to contact them can often keep that wait to a minimum.
If you don't feel like contacting them fine, that is your right. But your advice that contacting the issuing authority will delay their application is also wrong.
Of course cordial inquiries work better than rude demands but who needs to be given that advice?
Click to expand...

Right on Bud!! This post has helped me and hundreds of others... Keep up the good work and thanks
 
My License was just issued, RPAL with having to answer yes to job loss in the last 2 years.

Timeline:
2015/07/21 - Application Received.
2015/08/13 - Application finally online.
2015/09/07 - Letter received by 1 reference.
2015/09/08 - Reference that got letter called in.
2015/09/18 - Checked online, license was issued.

Note that I never called in to check status or to "hurry" them along. I was going to, but have been consistently too busy at work to call during the day.

Looks like my wallet will be getting lighter, and I'll be constantly checking the mail.
 
Hi all,
Read extensively everyone's updates and messages to push on with calls and decided to not follow them. But useful things I picked up from here is that "They will not call your references so call yourself" - this was single most important message for me. Here is my timeline.
Location: Calgary, AB
Aug 8-9 - PAL/RPAL course:
Aug 11 - Mailed application with registered post (no rush)
Aug 13 - Canada Post delivered with signature to Miramichi
Sep 04 - Charge appeared on Visa $80 (day 22 since application delivered)
Sep 08 - Status appeared online (day 26)
Sep 14 - Called, simply asked if they will call my references or if Ref should call them (they checked status of my appl and asked me to have 1 reference only call) day 32
Sep 14 - Reference called 10min after my call (day 32)
Sep 18 - Checked Online - Licence ISSUED. DAY 36.

I was checking everyday online between 14th and 18th and I knew thanks to a post in this forum by someone who said that Licences issued on Fridays so I had planned to check today morning and if nothing issued then was planning to call them.

Overall I would say do not call until you are within time limits posted here http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/online_en-ligne/app_dem-eng.htm

all in all 36 days and 1 phone call.

Thank you all,
and I hope there are still good SKSs around.
 
My friend just got his RPAL with no references called and no bugging them for updates. I was really skeptical when he said the status changed to in the mail or whatever it is after 6 weeks. Maybe the Alberta CFO was in a good mood this month?
 
Two months and a day to get my rpa issuedl. Neither of my refs answered the phone the first time. Called to check up and got my file number, got one ref to call and the next day issued.
 
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