Shorten PAL Approval Times

Sent in my application on April 1st. Still not on the available to check online. Called in after two weeks the helpful lady told me it could take 3 weeks. Called in on 4th weeks they said it could take 6 weeks to show up. We ll see what they say next week.
This is from Ontario by the way. And it's for first time PAL. I see some guys here that applied after me and already have it on their hands... A bit frustrating.
 
Sent application in March 27th, showed up online April 21st. Online status says it was received on April 1st. Got one of my references to call in. Called in today to see if they needed anything else and they didn't. Just like the previous posts, they are waiting for the photo then they'll send it off to my CFO.

I suck at the waiting game :mad:
 
juanster said:
Sent in my application on April 1st. Still not on the available to check online. Called in after two weeks the helpful lady told me it could take 3 weeks. Called in on 4th weeks they said it could take 6 weeks to show up. We ll see what they say next week.
This is from Ontario by the way. And it's for first time PAL. I see some guys here that applied after me and already have it on their hands... A bit frustrating.
Click to expand...

They received my pal/RPAL application on Jan 27th, has been with the CFO since March 14th awaiting approval. I have called a few times and they look into my file and say everything is fine they are just back logged. Meanwhile a friend of mine who has a criminal record sent his in after me and already has his pal/RPAL card in his hands... Boggles the mind, the guy I talked to a couple weeks ago when I called to inquire told me there seems to be no rhyme or reason for wait times, luck of the draw.
 
Called in today to ask to do my interview for PAL/RPAL and was told I don't have to do an interview? They asked me to have one of my references call in, I wonder if they are trying to speed things up...
 
TheWhole9Yards said:
Called in today to ask to do my interview for PAL/RPAL and was told I don't have to do an interview? They asked me to have one of my references call in, I wonder if they are trying to speed things up...
Click to expand...

same thing happened to me. it seems to be the new policy for ontario. I'm also applying for PAL/RPAL.
 
TheWhole9Yards said:
Called in today to ask to do my interview for PAL/RPAL and was told I don't have to do an interview? They asked me to have one of my references call in, I wonder if they are trying to speed things up...
Click to expand...
Same thing happened to me. Called in to pester. Asked if my application was complete and correct (it was to my astonishment) and if I could do my interview and get number/extension for my references. She said only one of my references need to call so I had my more reliable guy call in. He did the same day. Within minutes of him hanging up, my online status indicated process complete, license(RPAL)issued. The got my app on March 6, I had my physical licence in hand about a week and a half later on April 25. I am in BC.
 
Just got my RPAL this afternoon! woo hoo.:rockOn:

From the day I mailed in my application to today is 44 days.

Now, can I go and buy a firearm with my license number from the RCMP site or do I need to actually have the card in hand?
 
I dont know how "dark" you guys' backgrounds are, but I got my PAL approved right after 28 day, tho the website says it normally takes 45 days. None of my reference were called.
 
Got my RPAL approved :) 44 days as well.

March 8, 2014 - Non-Restricted Course passed
March 9, 2014 - Restricted Course passed
March 26, 2014 - Sent application Xpresspost
March 28, 2014 - Received in Miramichi (verified with signature)
April 2, 2014 - Received stamped CFSC and CRFSC from CFO
April 26, 2014 - Credit card charged
April 27, 2014 - Shows up as in the "processing" stage online
April 28, 2014 - Faxed CFSC and CRFSC
April 29, 2014 - Shows up as in the "in progress" stage online
April 29, 2014 - One reference called in for interview
May 10, 2014 - 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. (1-800 731-4000)
May 20, 2014 - License on hand
 
Last edited:
My experience for my RPAL

I was dreading the process but I gotta tell you, it went fine. I called after one month, was very polite and each time I called they did their best to help me out. No bad issues or nightmares as have been reported here on this forum.

Mailed application on March 30.
Application received March 31
Waited and called April 29, spoke with “Tony”, I am in the system and was given my file number.
They asked me to have only one of my references call them back. (one was all they wanted)
My reference called May 7, was interviewed, took less than 3 minutes.
I called them on May 7, approved and file sent to the card system and then will be mailed out.
Should have it in 2 weeks.

Overall, a nice experience. Being polite goes a long way with these Federal workers. They did a very nice job with me, no complaints. Seven weeks from start to finish.

Impressed !!
 
March 8, 2014 - Non-Restricted Course passed
March 9, 2014 - Restricted Course passed
March 14, 2014 - Sent application Registered Mail. (Without Test Results)
April 1, 2014 - Sent test results
April 9, 2014 - Credit card charged
April 10, 2014 - Shows up as in the "processing" stage online
April 29, 2014 - Shows up as in the "in progress" stage online
May 10, 2014 - One reference called in for interview. Not reached. No message left.
May 13, 2014 (2pm) - I found out reference was called and he didn't answer, so I called the RCMP to check the status of my application. They told me to get the reference to call in with the application number. He did, interviewed.
May 13, 2014 (9pm) - 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. (1-800 731-4000)
(or 506.624.5380 if you're out of the country.)
May 23, 2014 - Card shows up in the mail, and I just happened to have sold my Mustang the same day.
May 24, 2014 - Went to Gobles and bought 3 guns. :D

I was trying to see if I could get my licence as fast as possible...but work got in the way, and I was out of the country a few times throughout the process....so in the end I probably wouldn't have benefited from sending my application in before getting my test results in the mail. Hard to tell I guess.
I'm just happy it's processed. This is something I've been meaning to do for literally over a decade.
 
Last edited:
Saw this thread and got my reference to call in this morning.

Checked online status this evening and my license has now been issued.

Thank you for tips on here!
 
April 7th PAL app received by RCMP
May 6th application showed up online as in progress
May 15th - "application has been processed and your licence has been issued"

*happy dance
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom