Shorten PAL Approval Times

My experience so far (Alberta, 37yo male, first time RPAL):

- Mailed (regular letter mail) application to Miramichi - April 21
- Received in Miramichi - April 28
- Appears online with status: "Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date" - May 17
- Called in, was told they only need one reference to interview, and don't need to do a personal interview - May 17
- Reference called in and did the interview - May 17

I checked the divorce question and provided supplementary info. Divorce was recently amicably finalized after being separated for a while. Have remarried, current spouse signed the application (and is applying for hers as well). Will keep this comment updated. Looks like the 28 days will be up on May 26. Hope it's soon after that.
 
Paleking said:
My experience so far (Alberta, 37yo male, first time RPAL):

- Mailed (regular letter mail) application to Miramichi - April 21
- Received in Miramichi - April 28
- Appears online with status: "Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date" - May 17
- Called in, was told they only need one reference to interview, and don't need to do a personal interview - May 17
- Reference called in and did the interview - May 17

I checked the divorce question and provided supplementary info. Divorce was recently amicably finalized after being separated for a while. Have remarried, current spouse signed the application (and is applying for hers as well). Will keep this comment updated. Looks like the 28 days will be up on May 26. Hope it's soon after that.
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Check the site tomorrow I bet it will be mailed this Friday. It usually takes 4-7 days after mailing to arrive
 
Xevious22 said:
Check the site tomorrow I bet it will be mailed this Friday. It usually takes 4-7 days after mailing to arrive
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I wish. First time license though and they didn't receive it until April 28. With the 28 day mandatory wait, they may print and mail it next Friday...
 
Here is my time line. I am in Alberta, RPAL Application. First time applicant. 47 year old female.
April 13- signed for in Miramichi
May 2- shows up online
May 2- called in and told all is in order, got my reference number and told 1 reference only needs to call in.
May 3- reference calls in
May 6-I called in to check on status- sent to Alberta CFO for approval
May 13- called in again, asked to speak to CFO office was told it's too early, lady said could take up to 90 days.
May 17- called again requesting to speak to Alberta CFO office, was transferred right away. Asked if anything missing or anything I can provide. Lady says let me put you on hold and see if I can approve it over the phone.....she comes back and says.....I have approved your license, it has been issued! 35 days since application received in Miramichi.
By the way, my husband age 51 also sent in application to upgrade from pal to RPAL, exact same timeline. He called today too. His license was approved over phone.
I would definitely call them as Canalta has stated! I am very sure I shaved off a great deal of time by calling in so frequently. Best of luck everyone.
 
Question to anyone........................The feeling of anxiety amongst those who have filed a first time PAL/RPAL application, some have suggested sending it registered mail which is cool, but why not send it overnight courier and cut the wait time by at least 8 business days????????????

This is what I did. Cost me a few extra dollars, but it was worth it in my opinion. Sent mine in 4-13-16 at 6:30pm. It was received in NB on 4-14-16 at 10am !!!!!!!!!
 
Challenger2010 said:
Question to anyone........................The feeling of anxiety amongst those who have filed a first time PAL/RPAL application, some have suggested sending it registered mail which is cool, but why not send it overnight courier and cut the wait time by at least 8 business days????????????

This is what I did. Cost me a few extra dollars, but it was worth it in my opinion. Sent mine in 4-13-16 at 6:30pm. It was received in NB on 4-14-16 at 10am !!!!!!!!!
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I agree, from Alberta sent registered mail took 2 days to reach Miramichi. Courier service didn't even cross my mind! Lol
 
Hey guys. First time applicant for PAL/RPAL, in Ontario. Timeline as follows:

April 8,9,10/2016 Course completion PAL/RPAL
April 21/2016 Course results received from CFO
April 28/2016 Application received, and signed for, in Miramichi, via registered mail.
May 16/2016 Application appears online, and states that initial processing complete, status in progress. CC also charged.
May 18/2016 I called to verify that there are no errors on application. Told no, and to have one reference call in.
May 26/2016 Approved at 1:00am!

And the wait continues... Hope it goes smooth. I put a down payment on a Walther PPQ 9mm.
28 days, from received to approved. I only called once, 2 days after it appeared online to check for reference call, which they said to have one call.
 
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Hey Everyone, First Time Applicant for both PAL and RPAL in Alberta.

April 18 Mailed Application (Snail mail since i was'nt thinking :( )
May 14th Application shows up on the rcmp website As Application Received. And states they have had my application since April 27th.
May 17th Application now in Progress.
May 18th read this forum.
May 18th Followed this site and called in now that my application is in progress and asked if their was any missing information. They said Nope and the guy was very nice and said that the next step is my 1 of 2 references needs the interview and if i wanted to speed that up to have them call and gave me all the info on how to do that (same as this website). Nothing about me getting interviewed but i forgot to ask since i was so excited lol. Will wait a few days before i call again if it still says in progress Friday.
 
icyred64 said:
Hey Everyone, First Time Applicant for both PAL and RPAL in Alberta.

April 18 Mailed Application (Snail mail since i was'nt thinking :( )
May 14th Application shows up on the rcmp website As Application Received. And states they have had my application since April 27th.
May 17th Application now in Progress.
May 18th read this forum.
May 18th Followed this site and called in now that my application is in progress and asked if their was any missing information. They said Nope and the guy was very nice and said that the next step is my 1 of 2 references needs the interview and if i wanted to speed that up to have them call and gave me all the info on how to do that (same as this website). Nothing about me getting interviewed but i forgot to ask since i was so excited lol. Will wait a few days before i call again if it still says in progress Friday.
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Call before then and do your interview. Once they're done they usually complete the application that day
 
I wish I had of known all of this when applying... I've been waiting on my PAL for 16 weeks now (was just approved last week). Total bummer, gave me a lot of time to think about what I wanted to buy first though.
 
CrazyDiver said:
Neither myself or husband had to do interview. I asked the first time I called, when app showed up online. They said no, it wasn't required. Same for hubby.
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Thanks for the Info. I heard as of Sept 2015 they have become easier to deal with and faster as long as your ontop of things on your end :)
My friend was not able to call today as for busy with work but hopefully before friday night he will :)
 
AdamSnellus said:
I wish I had of known all of this when applying... I've been waiting on my PAL for 16 weeks now (was just approved last week). Total bummer, gave me a lot of time to think about what I wanted to buy first though.
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Ya i know the feeling. If i had known and thought about it, i would have sent my application next day and not snail mail. making this process already 2 weeks longer.

But good news to you is that they say if you dont do anything you have to wait 3-6 months to have your card.... at least you were on the lower end of that.
 
Hey Everyone. Just giving everybody an update.

April 18 Mailed Application (Snail mail since i was'nt thinking )
May 14th Application shows up on the rcmp website As Application Received. And states they have had my application since April 27th.
May 17th Application now in Progress.
May 18th read this forum.
May 18th Followed this site and called in now that my application is in progress and asked if their was any missing information. They said Nope and the guy was very nice and said that the next step is my 1 of 2 references needs the interview and if i wanted to speed that up to have them call and gave me all the info on how to do that (same as this website). No interview nothing with me. But forgot to ask lol.
May 19th Reference Called and they asked 2 questions and that was it.
May 20th I called to get an update as my application still says "In Progress" and they said i have "Basically" been approved but have to wait for the 28 mandatory days are up before they can send my card which will be May 25th. So they said call May 27th if it still says "In Progress".

I cant wait Lol
 
Hey Everyone. Just giving everybody an update.

April 18 Mailed Application (Snail mail since i was'nt thinking )
May 14th Application shows up on the rcmp website As Application Received. And states they have had my application since April 27th.
May 17th Application now in Progress.
May 18th read this forum.
May 18th Followed this site and called in now that my application is in progress and asked if their was any missing information. They said Nope and the guy was very nice and said that the next step is my 1 of 2 references needs the interview and if i wanted to speed that up to have them call and gave me all the info on how to do that (same as this website). No interview nothing with me. But forgot to ask lol.
May 19th Reference Called and they asked 2 questions and that was it.
May 20th I called to get an update as my application still says "In Progress" and they said i have "Basically" been approved but have to wait for the 28 mandatory days are up before they can send my card which will be May 25th. So they said call May 27th if it still says "In Progress".
May 24th checked in afternoon and it said Still in Progress. Checked at 11pm just for kicks and it said APPROVED and in the MAIL :D

WOOT
 
My reference called in one week ago. I called today and was told my application has been forwarded to BC CFO for final approval. The lady answered the phone won't transfer me to BC CFO but advised me to wait for 2-3 weeks to call back.
 
Sharpi said:
Hey guys. First time applicant for PAL/RPAL, in Ontario. Timeline as follows:

April 8,9,10/2016 Course completion PAL/RPAL
April 21/2016 Course results received from CFO
April 28/2016 Application received, and signed for, in Miramichi, via registered mail.
May 16/2016 Application appears online, and states that initial processing complete, status in progress. CC also charged.
May 18/2016 I called to verify that there are no errors on application. Told no, and to have one reference call in.

And the wait continues... Hope it goes smooth. I put a down payment on a Walther PPQ 9mm.
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So, in less than an hour, I will be on day 28, since received. Is it unrealistic to expect approval tomorrow? I really have my hopes up.
 
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