Shorten PAL Approval Times

My saga

May 27 & 28 PAL & RPAL courses
June 2 Mailed my application snail mail
July 28 had my reference call in
August 4 had my PAL and RPAL

Getting the reference to call in took a couple of weeks off the time. RCMP never tried to call them, instead the sent a letter to them asking them to call in. They got the letter one day before I got my license in he mail.
 
Hi all,

Was going through a lot of the posts and couldn't get a clear indication if people from Ottawa have tried sending their application after completing their courses. Then sending in their results in later to try save time. Just completed both my Non and restricted safety courses and would like to see if I could speed things along. Thanks in advance!
 
Here's my timeline for the RPAL. Pretty reasonable in Alberta.

June 23rd: Application Mailed
June 27th: Application Delivered
Aug 1st: Charged/Available online
Aug 2nd: One reference called in
Aug 3rd: "We're waiting on photo scan. Nothing else to do."
Aug 14th: License Issued
Aug 18th: License Delivered
 
I have been told by CFP operator that Reference Phone Interviews for RPAL are no longer required (in Ontario anyway).

This is a new change within the last week, just fyi
 
theTaxMan said:
I have been told by CFP operator that Reference Phone Interviews for RPAL are no longer required (in Ontario anyway).

This is a new change within the last week, just fyi
Click to expand...

This is interesting, I had mine show up online yesterday(RPAL). Called in first thing, and asked if I should get the references to call in. She said no, its random how they are selected for calling and it didnt appear to need any and its going for photo scanning and final approval and to check back in a week or two. Not sure if I believe it yet but heres hoping it goes quickly!

July 15-16 - Took CFSC and CRFSC
July 17th - Mailed application
July 20th - Application received
August 21 - Called and was told they were a month or more behind and to try again in a few weeks
August 21 - Credit card charged and showing up online.
August 22 - Called in and asked if I should get a reference to call in, was told no, not needed.
August 24 - license issued. No references called.
 
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I had to wait about 4 months, and then my Dad started making calls and trying to hurry it up, eventually he did a phone interview and I got my minor's pal 2 weeks later.
I think if you bother them enough they'll hurry up
 
Checked last night and my status changed to license issued 3 days after cc charged and showing online. None of my references called in. This is for a restricted.
 
My Timeline.
Province of Quebec.
March 5 2017 CFSC
March 26 2017 CRFSC
April 6 2017 Application sent to RCMP
April 14 2017 Application Received by RCMP
May 3 2017 Law 9 Course
May 12 2017 Application showed up online
May 19 2017 Received letter asking for in-person filing form from SQ.
May 22 2017 Sent in missing form
May 31 2017 Estimated date RCMP forwarded application to Quebec CFO
August 22 2017 Called by Quebec CFO and interviewed
August 23 2017 Application Has Been Processed And Your License Has Been Issued
August 30 2017 Received RPAL in mail

139 Days from the time APPLICATION was received by RCMP till I received LICENCE in mail.
I could have saved a couple of weeks if I sent the in-person filing form from SQ but was unaware of this form as it was not mentioned or included in application forms
Good luck to all PAL Applicants.
 
Application was received 21 December 2016. Have had one reference checked, and have called in myself 3 times. Latest was 15 Aug 2017.
Checked online today and PAL has been issued.
I better go check the mail!
 
Here is my timeline so far, I am in Toronto

June 24-25 - Completed CFSC CFRSC
July 25 - Stamped forms received
July 26 - Mailed application
July 31 - Arrived in Mirimachi
August 30 - CC Charged and application showing up on RCMP website as in progress


Going to call them tomorrow and see if I can get my reference to call in. Can't believe it's almost here!!
 
I completed my CFSC & CRFSC mid-June and didn't receive the stamped results until late-July (more than a month later). After my 5592 was received it was another full month before the application appeared online. I'd highly recommend sending the 5592 immediately after completing the course then faxing in the results after you receive them and get an application number online. You can then call in 24-48 hours later to confirm they've received your results. Given how long the initial processing takes I'd also highly recommend sending everything by registered mail so you know for certain it was received.
 
I used some of the advice on here & had my references call in proactively (thank you), which I think probably helped me.

July 8/9 CRFSC
July 10 Application sent expresspost
July 14 arrived miramichi
Aug 9 attended range orientation/signed up at Chilliwack :)
Aug 14 Application shows up online, references call in
Aug 28 PAL arrives in mail

Overall, not too difficult & didn't take too long (all things considered).

Working on part II now, bought my first restricted firearm yesterday. :)
 
March 24, 2017: Application received by Miramichi.
September 6, 2017: Still waiting....166 days and counting.
October 13, 2017: Called the CFO again. Still waiting. 203 days and counting.
November 28, 2017: Called CFO. Still waiting. (Apparently there was "some action" on my file at the end of September.) 249 days and counting.
January 19, 2018: Was called by a firearms officer today for an interview. I now need to have a doctor fill out more paperwork(Tried for this before I even applied, and was turned away to wait for the RCMP forms.). Ball's in my court now, it seems. 301 days and counting.
January 29, 2018: Current Status: 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) -- Don't have my license physically in hand yet, so whenever it shows up in the mail. Total time: 311 days. (+ Canada Post time.)
February 5, 2017: I have my RPAL physically in hand, whoo. 318 days total.

CFSC/CRFSC: 100%/100%.
Paperwork all in order.
References called in sometime in April/May. (One was told they were not needed.)

I marked yes to one of the the magic questions on the application over something fairly trivial, and provided an explanation.

SO sent her application in after me, worse test scores, and didn't need to mark yes. Received her RPAL within 2 months.

I've called. It's sitting in a pile at the BC CFO's office I presume, as they won't provide any details beyond that there's nothing they need from me to clarify or provide more information on.
 
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My PAL/RPAL timeline so far, hope it helps:
Location: Ottawa, ON.
Aug 4: Mailed out application, snail mail, without stamped results.
Aug 10: Delivered in Miramichi (got the exact date when the application showed up online)
Aug 21: Received stamped results, phoned CFP and was told to fax the stamped results to them.
Aug 21 (one hour later): Faxed stamped results to CFP.
Sept 15: cc charged, checked online for the application status, says: "Current Status: Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date.". Phoned CFP and was told that the application is not complete, missing stamped results.
Sept 15 (one hour later): Faxed stamped results to CFP again.

Seems that for ON residents you should wait till your application shows online before faxing your stamped results. They are not able to link the stamped results to your application before the application is in their system.

Update: Sept 18: Called CFP, confirmed that stamped results were received. Waiting for photo to be scanned. No actions required for now.

Call several times and was always told that they were waiting for the photo to be scanned.

Update: Sept 28: Called CFP and was told the application is with CFO for background check. No actions needed from me, just wait.

Update: Oct 6: Called CFP a few times and it's still with Ontario CFO. :(

Update: Dec 3: Still waiting...

Update: Dec 5: Called Ontario CFO again, a very friendly gentleman approved it over the phone.

Seems that if you get stuck in your province, try calling them. Maybe the officer would ask you to wait, maybe he/she would just approve it.

Shopping season is finally about to arrive. (Well, missed Black Friday)
 
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Teejrocks said:
Finally get to post an update...
May 9 2017 Application appears online (finally, i'm so sick of logging in to that RCMP site...)
April 7 2017 Application Received (as per RCMP, sent without tracking)

Going to try and call in tomorrow and see if I can do my interview. Assuming I'll be getting one with an RPAL and a Yes answer to a screening question...
Click to expand...

All right, the stories of the wait for restricted in Alberta are true. Here is a rough time line of my dates.

May 10 - Called in to see if I missed anything, do interview. After the way too long demographics check, I was informed that I had missed the requirement to send a letter in regards to my yes answer to the prescreen questions. Given fax number to Alberta CFO office to tender my letter. (Yes was on # 16 for depression, in case you are wondering)
May 15 - Faxed letter to Alberta CFO
May 17 - Called call center to confirm receipt of letter. They state it usually takes a week or two for the letter to get entered if sent to the provincial offices, try calling again next week.
May 25 (ish) - Application now showing "in progress". Called call centre, they said they had everything they needed and that my reference should be called soon.
May 31 (ish) - Called call center from work with both of my references present and asked if we could conduct the interviews, only one was interviewed (my choice) and I was told that my letter was sufficient they didn't need to speak with me.
June - Checking online 2+ times a week, status still "in progress," called call center near end of month "everything looks good from here, it's with the provincial CFO for final approval"
July - Same "in progress" all month, call center near end of month "nothing else you can do, it's essentially been approved and awaiting the final sign off from the provincial CFO." Was also told that they tend to prioritize the incoming non restricted at the provincial level unless the license is needed for work purposes but that I should be through the backlog before hunting season starts.
August - another month of "in progress", called call center again, told them "I assume there are no updates just note on my file that I called and politely asked for an update"
September 5 - Still stuck "in progress" and gettin' antzy. Decide to write another letter to the Provincial CFO. Write letter extremely politely asking for any sort of an update or ETA on my license and apologizing profusely if faxing a written request for an update was in any way a faux pas.
September 11 - Get a call on my cell on my lunch break from the CFO, conducted quick informal interview, mostly a chat with the only serious question being "any suicidal / homicidal thoughts". He then stated that he had spoke with my Step Father and did a quick 2nd interview of him this morning and that he had signed off on my card already and I should get it in a week or so.

All in all it was a pretty smooth, straight forward process, just took much longer than their service target.

Now just need to find some money for my first "deer harvester"...
 
My cousins got his approved really quick. He didn't check at all on the website or phone in; this is in Ontario. Mine was received 2 days earlier than his and mine is still in progress. I check everyday.

This is his:
June 24-25 - Completed CFSC CFRSC
July 25 - stamped forms
July 26 - mailed application
August 2 - Arrived in Mirimachi
Sept 18 - License Issued.
 
Ayeso said:
This is interesting, I had mine show up online yesterday(RPAL). Called in first thing, and asked if I should get the references to call in. She said no, its random how they are selected for calling and it didnt appear to need any and its going for photo scanning and final approval and to check back in a week or two. Not sure if I believe it yet but heres hoping it goes quickly!
Click to expand...

Yeah that is what happened to me as well.
Ive had my PAL for 1.5 years and went for my restricted in July.

- July 27th Miramichi received complete application.Cash pulled and showed up on website a few weeks later.

Called and asked to have my references call in to save time. They told me it is random, and no interviews were needed for my application.

- September 20th

Called again and they told me my references will not be called, the application is with the CFO in Manitoba for final approval. Should be a few weeks.
Back logged a bit due to hunting season they said.
Still shows up as "processing" on the website.

Still kind of expecting a call, but playing the waiting game for now.
They called my wife last year for my PAL, maybe they figure that was enough.
 
My timeline, in Montreal, QC.

19-05-2017 CRFSC
28-05-2017 CFSC
29-05-2017 CRFSC results
15-06-2017 CFSC results
16-06-2017 Application sent (in person filing at a SQ station)
28-06-2017 Application received (appeared on 02/08/2017)
02-08-2017 CC charged
02-08-2017 Bill 9 course / CTM safety class
13-09-2017 Called CFP, told it's with the Quebec CFO and to check again if nothing is received within 2 to 3 weeks
28-09-2017 (2 weeks and 1day after the phone call) Phone interview with CFO, both references also were called
28-09-2017 (Within 1h of the phone interview) License issued

Over 4 months total.
 
My application arrived in Mirimachi on July 27th and still has not been issued on September 29th. It was sent to the Ontario CFO 3 weeks ago and according to the CFO the application hasn't even been assigned to anyone yet and told me to call back in another 3 weeks.

It seems pretty clear that they're not processing these in the order they're received like they claim. Both the CFC and CFO seem to have the attitude that "It's only been a few months". Realistically there's nothing in this application that should take more than 48 hours to process, this is becoming a little absurd.
 
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