Shorten PAL Approval Times

Based on some of the advice I've seen here, I'm going to mail in my application with the course sections marked "No", while indicating that my PAL/RPAL courses will be taken next month in January and see what comes of it as far as processing times go. Some guys on here have said that if you're confident in your ability to pass a soon-coming course(ex-army, no stranger to firearms), to submit your application and get the ball rolling.

I'll let you all know how it goes. I'm applying from Alberta


Dec 18, 2016 - Mailed off via Xpresspost

EDIT:
Dec 28, 2016 - Canada Post tracking shows parcel delivered (Xpress post is 3-day National from me to Miramichi, so because it was super late, CP gave me a shipping refund)
Jan 10, 2017 - Application appears online: "Application Received Dec 28, 2016" "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. Please check the status again at a later date."
Jan 14, 2017 Attended/Passed CFSC. Faxed off results the same day. CFRSC postponed by training provider till the 28th of Jan.
Jan 28, 2017 Attended/Passed CFRSC. Faxed results to CFP.
Jan 30, 2017 Completed initial processing, application in progress.
Jan 30, 2017Had one reference call in for interview. Afterwards, status immediately changed to licence issued!

44 days from mailing, 34 days in Miramichi. I suspect I would have been exactly at the 28 day mark had it not been for mailing and course delays, and applying before I even attended my courses. This system works!
 
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Well see how mine goes. Ill edit post as updates go. Good luck to me.


Dec 18- Mailed in all forms via snail mail.

Update: received Jan.30
 
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Sent in forms from BC Dec 15 without course test results via Express post , should be at CFC Dec 19th according to tracking ......
Faxing in pal and rpal test results with passing grades on Dec 19th as well as Gun club membership papers.
Previous holder of both licences in the past.

Let the waiting period begin !
 
Mailed my forms in a few weeks ago, checked status online and moved from initial processing. Called in as suggested to make sure everything was good, and it is, currently its with the CFO and they are doing background checks, which mine are all clean so wont be a problem. Sode Note that the woman on the phone told me
for Non Restricted they dont do interviews with you or your references, you still NEED references but they dont check them. i believe the OP it said they may or may not, i thought id just add in that according to the girl i just spoke to, they dont at all for non restricted.

Off to east coast for work tomorrow, hopefully i have it back in the next few weeks when i get back.
 
On day 78 and was finally told my application has been sent for review and assigned to a CFO Officer, and that I should contact them again in 4-6 weeks... they also said BC had a high number of applications and we're currently processing in July.

I'm starting to feel like I should start being on a first name basis with these people. Maybe then they could tell me why I'm under review... is this a bad thing?
 
jolie542 said:
On day 78 and was finally told my application has been sent for review and assigned to a CFO Officer, and that I should contact them again in 4-6 weeks... they also said BC had a high number of applications and we're currently processing in July.

I'm starting to feel like I should start being on a first name basis with these people. Maybe then they could tell me why I'm under review... is this a bad thing?
Click to expand...

really? it took mine avout 2.5 weeks maybe 3.5 weeks to get to the CFO, i sent it in the beginning of december
 
scottie350 said:
really? it took mine avout 2.5 weeks maybe 3.5 weeks to get to the CFO, i sent it in the beginning of december
Click to expand...

as far as i know its a step, girl on the phone told me once with the CFO thats where they do criminal record and background checks. Mine are all clean, i know this as i get fairly regular checks done due to work and sites i get sent to. this is also the point they would do phone interviews with you and your references. BUT the girl told me for non restricted only, they dont do an interview, for restricted they WILL call.
 
First post could have been better, but I thought I should share this information here as I just got off the phone with the RCMP. I called in asking for the fax number to send in my test results that I received 5 days after sending in my RPAL application via Xpresspost. They received it on December 19. After going through a verification process to confirm my identity, she told me to call back next week around the same time to get the fax number and my file number to write on the test results that I will be faxing in.

The reason I need to call back is because they are currently working on all applications received on DECEMBER 13, 2016 as of right now.....I thought this might be helpful.
I just got off the phone with her around 12:10pm EST.

Hope this helps with those waiting like myself.....and thanks to everyone posting on here as the process I chose to take was from what I read on here!

Happy New Year People!
 
My journey has finally come to a conclusion. I finally got my PAL today!

Registered for CFSC - 04/08/16
Attended CFSC (non-restricted only) - 25/09/16
Sent in Application (results to follow) - 03/10/16
Application received by Miramichi - 05/10/16
CFSC results stamped and mailed back to me - 16/12/16
Results faxed to Miramichi - 19-12/16 (received on a Friday night, so I had to wait til Monday morning)
License issued - 20/12/16 (this was fast)
License received in hand - 29/12/16

The process from beginning to end to get my license was nearly 5 months. Nearly 2.5 of those months were spent awaiting my test results back and stamped, which took a lot of phone calls and emails to finally make happen...
 
Here is my timeline:
Dec. 4/16 CF(R)SC course completed and passed
Dec. 7/16 Application sent out via Canada Post
Dec. 9/16 Application received at CFP in Miramichi, NB
Dec. 21/16 Application appears on line. "Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date."
Jan. 9/17 One Reference interviewed in the morning. In the afternoon, status changed to “Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued."

I was starting to wonder if there were any issues because none of my references were called. Then, this morning my buddy from work called me to say that he got a call from the Mounties. I checked when I got off work my status was changed. Now I just need that card in my hand, and some money in the bank :)
Only one month at Miramichi, including the Christmas holidays. I don't think I have anything to complain about.
 
donaldrstewart said:
Here is my timeline:
Dec. 4/16 CF(R)SC course completed and passed
Dec. 7/16 Application sent out via Canada Post
Dec. 9/16 Application received at CFP in Miramichi, NB
Dec. 21/16 Application appears on line. "Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date."
Jan. 9/17 One Reference interviewed in the morning. In the afternoon, status changed to “Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued."

I was starting to wonder if there were any issues because none of my references were called. Then, this morning my buddy from work called me to say that he got a call from the Mounties. I checked when I got off work my status was changed. Now I just need that card in my hand, and some money in the bank :)
Only one month at Miramichi, including the Christmas holidays. I don't think I have anything to complain about.
Click to expand...

Congrats! I am still waiting for mine to appear online. All I get is a blank page. :(
 
donaldrstewart said:
Here is my timeline:
Dec. 4/16 CF(R)SC course completed and passed
Dec. 7/16 Application sent out via Canada Post
Dec. 9/16 Application received at CFP in Miramichi, NB
Dec. 21/16 Application appears on line. "Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date."
Jan. 9/17 One Reference interviewed in the morning. In the afternoon, status changed to “Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued."

I was starting to wonder if there were any issues because none of my references were called. Then, this morning my buddy from work called me to say that he got a call from the Mounties. I checked when I got off work my status was changed. Now I just need that card in my hand, and some money in the bank :)
Only one month at Miramichi, including the Christmas holidays. I don't think I have anything to complain about.
Click to expand...

My application was received on Dec.9 2016 and showed up online on Dec.22 2016. I had one of my reference to call in on Jan.9 2017 because he was leaving for his trip next day. However, my status online still shows as "Completed initial process"... :/
 
Have patience... a well regulated system takes time to process and ensure the crazies are excluded.

I took my course and did not even send off my application until about a month or two after that, but all in all, it only took a month or so of processing once I eventually got my photo and sent it all in. However, I have heard stories of people taking up to three or four months of processing during busy times, but most people I know weren't counting either.

Also, I never bothered checking the online status so I am unsure of the exact timing, as I do not believe in rushing anything firearms related except online orders; rush me that bulk discounted ammo :D
 
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Registered for CFSC/CRFSC - 23/11/16
Attended CFSC - 26/11/16 - 27/11/16
Sent in Application (results to follow) - 7/12/16
Application received by Miramichi - 13/12/16
CFSC/CRFSC results stamped and mailed back to me - 29/12/16
Results faxed to Miramichi - 10/1/17
License issued - 13/1/17 - Immediately after my reference called in my status changed to issued.
License received in hand - Unknown yet
 
Registered for CFSC/CRFSC - 22 Sept 2016
Attended CFSC - 13 Nov 2016
Attended CRFSC - 16-17 Nov 2016
Sent in Application (results to follow) - 18 Nov 2016
Application received by Miramichi - 29 Nov 2016
References contacted - 5 Jan 2017
Application sent to Provincial CFO - 9 Jan 2017
License issued - 16 Jan 2017 (Had to call the CFO to get that info though)
License received in hand - Within the next two weeks

OVERALL: Not as long as I originally thought
 
Called RCMP, My application was received on Jan 9, 2017.
Online status is showing:
Current Status: Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date.
What is the next status change I will be expecting?
My buddy has already bought a .22 Rifle for me using his PAL. Cannot wait to shoot my gun.
I am in Ontario, what is the best strategy to have them complete my application at the 28th day mark?
Thanks
 
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