Shorten PAL Approval Times

I have been waiting to get my pal since early june. I am getting impatient. Checked my status online. This is what it says;

Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date.

Does anyone have any idea what this means and how much longer I will need to wait?
 
I have been waiting to get my pal since early june. I am getting impatient. Checked my status online. This is what it says;

Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date.

Does anyone have any idea what this means and how much longer I will need to wait?

1st page, 1st post
 
1st page, 1st post

I have read the first post, but unless i am blind, didn't see anything regarding what the status of my application is. Just wondering if anyone has any idea what that means and if it means that the process is almost over or just starting. It's been way longer than 28 days since they have received my application.

Thanks
 
I have read the first post, but unless i am blind, didn't see anything regarding what the status of my application is. Just wondering if anyone has any idea what that means and if it means that the process is almost over or just starting. It's been way longer than 28 days since they have received my application.

Thanks

If you haven't done your interviews, call in. Then have your refs call in. A few days after that, your Licence will be issued.
 
If you haven't done your interviews, call in. Then have your refs call in. A few days after that, your Licence will be issued.

I had my phone interview with them last monday july 23rd, they also called my references on the same day. The only possible issue is that one of my references didn't get to the phone in time. They never left a message or call back. They successfully talked to my other reference.

Maybe I will just call tomorrow and find out if my other reference needs to call in.
 
OK - I was issued my licence yesterday afternoon via Waterloo Regional Police, but I have some very important info for others who will be reading this thread:

The Waterloo (Ontario) Regional Police Firearms office has taken on the work of several other regions recently, and I was on day 46 yesterday. I ONLY got my licence issued since a favour was done for me, and I would have waited for a couple weeks more otherwise.

DO NOT call Miramichi too often, just be patient. That said, do be sure to call maybe once every 2 weeks or so if needed. I was told that the top priority was to investigate anyone with a licence who had it taken away (danger to society potentially), and that they are swamped here in Southwestern Ontario.

Again, just a heads-up. I got "scolded" for calling in too much, and I blamed this board for getting me all hyped up with the mandatory waiting period, frankly. My own fault, but mine was for employment as previously mentioned, and I'm pumped to start my new career, so mine might be an uncommon case. I'll never even own a gun - I will be trained thoroughly at work.

So again, please be careful about calling too much. They record EVERY time you call. Be patient, and only call every couple of weeks. Let them do their jobs.

Fine print: as with any case, if your wait time is on the longer side (over 60 days), then call weekly, I would say.

I was never good at hurry up and wait, but this was a real lesson learned. Patience, grasshopper.


Good luck everyone. While I blamed this board for getting me all excited in my naivete', I was also grateful for the knowledge I obtained here.
 
OK - I was issued my licence yesterday afternoon via Waterloo Regional Police, but I have some very important info for others who will be reading this thread:

The Waterloo (Ontario) Regional Police Firearms office has taken on the work of several other regions recently, and I was on day 46 yesterday. I ONLY got my licence issued since a favour was done for me, and I would have waited for a couple weeks more otherwise.

DO NOT call Miramichi too often, just be patient. That said, do be sure to call maybe once every 2 weeks or so if needed. I was told that the top priority was to investigate anyone with a licence who had it taken away (danger to society potentially), and that they are swamped here in Southwestern Ontario.

Again, just a heads-up. I got "scolded" for calling in too much, and I blamed this board for getting me all hyped up with the mandatory waiting period, frankly. My own fault, but mine was for employment as previously mentioned, and I'm pumped to start my new career, so mine might be an uncommon case. I'll never even own a gun - I will be trained thoroughly at work.

So again, please be careful about calling too much. They record EVERY time you call. Be patient, and only call every couple of weeks. Let them do their jobs.

Fine print: as with any case, if your wait time is on the longer side (over 60 days), then call weekly, I would say.

I was never good at hurry up and wait, but this was a real lesson learned. Patience, grasshopper.


Good luck everyone. While I blamed this board for getting me all excited in my naivete', I was also grateful for the knowledge I obtained here.


You blamed this Forum because you badgered the CFC?? You can't be serious.
If you had followed the instruction left by others you wouldn't have been "scolded" as you put it.

1) you send your app
2) wait for it to show on-line
3) call in to do your interview, then get your refs to call in.
4) wait
5) wait some more
6) call the CFO NOT the CFC and ask if they have all information needed.

You knew the Officer handling your file was on Holiday....did you keep calling??

And if i read your post correctly, you told the CFO there was a forum that had tips on how to get your app processed quicker?? Why would you risk having them close loop hole's, and screw it up for others coming behind you by tossing the forum under the bus. Well done.
 
It sounds like you got a rude person on the phone. I'd speak with some type of manager and explain you phoned often because you required this for emplyment. They should not be talking to you like that.

... and like the last guy said, you really blamed the internet?
 
And if i read your post correctly, you told the CFO there was a forum that had tips on how to get your app processed quicker?? Why would you risk having them close loop hole's, and screw it up for others coming behind you by tossing the forum under the bus. Well done.

same here, pretty lame !
 
My PAL:
July 3rd, 2012: Completed course
July 9th, 2012: Mailed out application
July 13th, 2012: Application received
Aug 1st, 2012: Application status posted online
Aug 1st, 2012: Credit Card charged
Aug 3rd, 2012: phoned to see if they have al the right documents and if they have any questions because I immigrated to Canada 4 years ago. A friendly lady told me that they have all the right documents and I will get a phone call next week for an interview if I haven't heard from them next week then I can phone back Aug 13th to see if I can do my interview. So I hope I will have my license before hunting season starts!
 
same here, pretty lame !

Just being honest. 'Didn't assume it would be popular.


It is what it is, and I just read to "keep calling," not WHO to call, specifically. A lesson learned for sure, and hey - I was learning. Simple as that.


Not trying to throw anyone under the bus. This forum got me excited for the 28-day experience that many others are having, and I wanted to be sure I wouldn't be a 3-month horror story. Yeah, I'm a proactive type.

That said, a huge lesson was learned. Not something to get angry about by any means. Again - it is what it is, and take my experience with a grain of salt. I'm simply stating my point of view. Ultimately, I chose how to call, and how often. This should help others who tend to be not so good at "hurry up and wait" when employment is on the line.
 
I'd be interested to know what they consider harassment. If after 5 weeks of waiting (for a service that you have paid for), you decide to start making weekly calls, do they frown on that? I've had customers call me daily if i don't get back to them. It would be nice if government employees had the same fear of being fired those of us in the civilian world do, if they don't do their job properly.
 
I had my phone interview with them last monday july 23rd, they also called my references on the same day. The only possible issue is that one of my references didn't get to the phone in time. They never left a message or call back. They successfully talked to my other reference.

Maybe I will just call tomorrow and find out if my other reference needs to call in.

Called in on Friday, the long wait was because they still needed to talk to one of my references. I had my reference call in and a few hours later it says that my license is issued. Can't wait to get my first shotgun!!!! Thanks everyone for the tips.
 
"If any information is missing your application gets put in another queue and sits until someone mails you a standard form letter that indicates you must contact CFC by a certain date or your application will be dropped. The process of sending this letter out can take 10 days plus another 4 or 5 for it to be delivered if you live in the west."

It's been since the 23rd since they were aware that they needed to mail me out an additional info form.. Nothin in mail yet. Would be nice toget it on Monday and send it out ASAP.

Received June 29
Online July 17
My reference + 1 other July 23(the day I found out I messed up on 1 of my references)
 
"If any information is missing your application gets put in another queue and sits until someone mails you a standard form letter that indicates you must contact CFC by a certain date or your application will be dropped. The process of sending this letter out can take 10 days plus another 4 or 5 for it to be delivered if you live in the west."

It's been since the 23rd since they were aware that they needed to mail me out an additional info form.. Nothin in mail yet. Would be nice toget it on Monday and send it out ASAP.

Received June 29
Online July 17
My reference + 1 other July 23(the day I found out I messed up on 1 of my references)

I believe you can usually provide the missing info over the phone.
 
Just a heads-up for anyone who might not know: my PAL/RPAL was printed last Friday, and won't be mailed out until the end of this week, but I was given my licence # to give to an employer in the meantime, so it's all good.

They cited "quality assurance" as the reason it takes a week to actually be mailed out. As long as you have the #, you're good to go for purchasing/employment.

Again - thanks for all the help on here.
 
Mine was issued at 4pm on a Weds and i had it in the mall box the following Tues. 4 days. And not too many dealers will sell a Restricted firearm without a copy of the Licence.
 
got my new RPAL in the mail today, 112 days from the day i went to the police station to start the process. (quebec law) . Had my pal for over 10 years

long part is waiting for the SQ
 
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