Shorten PAL Approval Times

Just submitted my application. I know I should have sent it sooner :) still waiting for my stamped course results

March 8, 2014 - Non-Restricted Course passed
March 9, 2014 - Restricted Course passed
March 26, 2014 - Sent application Xpresspost with signature
 
same for me...so frustrating...has been over a month since I sent my info in and still not a word.... :-( was told it could take up to six week s for them to even input it into the system... :-(
 
Oct: Finally got a spot in safety course (after 5-6 months of checking online I finally just called them)
Jan 25: took PAL and RPAL courses.
Feb 12: test results returned from CFO and sent back to CFO with app.
Feb 28: Error message online changed to "initial processing started"
March 27: Called today and was given the interview, was told to have references call ext 2533

1 reference called in, said they asked "does he have anger outbursts and does he drink too much?" I mean c'mon what Canadian in winter isn't angry and drinking too much?!?!
2nd reference is calling in tomorrow, will see how long it takes from there to change online.

Just a warning to everyone, make sure your references don't screw around during their interviews. I think they do try to stack the deck against us. Like seriously, you get a full cavity search at the border if you're a Canadian returning from the states and you say "no I didn't bring back any cheap booze with me". Double standards!!!

March 28th, second reference called in, 1 hour later online site gave me license number, and said license issued and on-the-way! WOOT! IT PAYS TO CALL IN!!!!!!!

UPDATE: Card arrived 1 week after approval. Woot! Now I move on to the interesting process of person to person xfer from the fellow who has been tending my guns for me, he'll likely be happy to finally clear out a chunk of his safe... depending how long the paperwork takes on that... it never seems to end :)
 
Last edited:
Waiting

Mailed application Feb 25th
Received Mar 5th
So far not posted online called and told it could take 4-6 weeks to get posted as there is a large backlog
Hope it doesn't take to long have two rifles bought and paid for waiting for pal number so I can pick them up
Applied for pal and rpal have had both before but let expire :( what was I thinking
Will keep updated with progress
 
WOW ! I am... Speechless ! I got my RPAL in the mail monday, tuesday i went to the range to get my membership and right after i went to file the ATT paperwork for my new P226. They were kind enough to send it by Fax, and today (less than 72 hours later) both my LTATT and STATT in the mail, DAMN !

Nothing to wait for anymore... i'm kinda sad :D
 
so I have my brother call CFO

turn out that they don't have my paper, and I have talk with my brother (he told me that he will deliver for me because it is on way to his school)

He said that he drop it at RCMP office and RCMP office told him that they will deliver it to CFO.

I wonder what hell happen to my paper. 2 month has gone wasted
 
My PAL is going to expire in mid-June.

I'm trying to upgrade to RPAL.

I took my Course last Tuesday, March 25

I think they consider my "upgrade" a whole new application, so will it be enough time, or so i need to transfer my guns over to my dad?

Or, should i just renew my PAL and also send in me RPAL afterwards? I'll ahve to pay both fees but at least i wont become a criminal...
 
calalta said:
Once it is online the application will show up as in the "processing" stage, which means it is sitting until someone at CFC reviews the application looking for missing information. When that phase is complete it is listed online as "in progress" which means in a queue for someone to contact the applicant and references.

Once your application is approved by your provincial CFO the CFC will print the licence and mail it to you. Normally Friday is the day that all printing and mailing is done. If you check online and see the message:

"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 Canada Firearms Centre Toll Free number. (1-800 731-4000)" then congratulations.
Depending on the day it is approved there may be a delay until it is printed and the mail system means it can take another week to arrive.

In the meantime you can contact your provincial CFO and ask for your PAL number. Even the Ontario CFO gives out this information.
Click to expand...

Tomorrow it's 28 days ago that CFC received my application for first PAL.
It is listed online as "in progress".

So my question is:
Would it help or hurt if I call in to ask if they have a pal # for me already?
Or is it best to wait for it to reach the next stage "Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued"

I don't want to look too eager so they might think I should just wait longer and then delay the application ....
But I also have found a used gun that the current owner is willing to hold for me for a little while.

Anyone experience or advice?
 
bertn said:
Tomorrow it's 28 days ago that CFC received my application for first PAL.
It is listed online as "in progress".

So my question is:
Would it help or hurt if I call in to ask if they have a pal # for me already?
Or is it best to wait for it to reach the next stage "Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued"

I don't want to look too eager so they might think I should just wait longer and then delay the application ....
But I also have found a used gun that the current owner is willing to hold for me for a little while.

Anyone experience or advice?
Click to expand...

I waited 2 weeks after the "in progress" showed up, and I saw that they had cashed the cheque. They transferred me and did my interview, and they said have references call in. License issued same day.
 
Ive called every day for the last 2 weeks (had to follow up with "missing information"). 2 weeks ago I faxed in the missing information, and they have yet to get cracking on it. Im very polite when I speak with them, but I am starting to get irritated.
 
koesdibyo said:
Ive called every day for the last 2 weeks (had to follow up with "missing information"). 2 weeks ago I faxed in the missing information, and they have yet to get cracking on it. Im very polite when I speak with them, but I am starting to get irritated.
Click to expand...


I was told that it would take a couple weeks after they received my missing information, and they were bang on.
 
My application has been with the Alberta CFO for just over three weeks now waiting on approval... Called in today to check the status, and got the "it is in it's final stage of processing, please be patient we are experiencing a large number of applications at this moment" I bet if they changed it so that your card was charged after they approved your application it would speed things up considerably. I only call once every week to week and a half, the last two people I have spoken with are absolutely no help, the lady I talked to three weeks ago was super nice and said if things hadn't changed in a week to call back and they would look into for me to see what is holding it up. I have spoken to two people since who will not do anything but tell me to be patient. 64 Days and counting.
 
RedDragon said:
So, during my process of getting my RPAL, I had forgotten to get my wife to sign the form as my guarantor, so I had to wait for them to send the form back. (Received form on March 3rd, shipped back the same day, received by them on March 7th).

I called on March 7th to confirm they had received the signed form and was told that it would take approximately 2 weeks to process.

I left for a weeks vacation and just got back yesterday. I checked online this morning and it said my application was in progress, so I called and was informed that they tried to reach me for my interview. I was immediately put through to complete the interview, and was then informed that they had tried to contact my references, but were unable to reach them. I told them that I would have them call in and the lady was more than happy to hear that.

I talked to my references after they completed their interviews, and they were told that a letter was mailed to them yesterday for the interview.

I checked the status online and did the happy dance.... "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)"

So, the timeline for ONT (with my screw-up);
Application Received : January 27th, 2014
Completed Form Received: March 7th, 2014
Interviews Completed: March 25th, 2014

Now just awaiting the card... 2 months is a whole lot better than I was expecting! Probably would have been quicker if I hadn't goofed on the application form!
Click to expand...

Card received today! Now time to start buying!

Good luck to everyone still waiting!
 
What days do they print and mail out cards? My status changed Thursday, March 27th. Would it have been sent out Friday the next day? I have yet to receive it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom