PAL renewal experiences

[Fishwhere]

Hey everyone,

What have you guys found to be the best way to renew your PAL? I see there are a few options, but ive also heard lots of horror stories about not getting thrm back for a century. Im hitting the 6 month mark until my PAL is expired so i know i can renew it now. Let me know your good and bad experiences please.

Thank you

[elkhunter11]

It's a total crap shoot, online can be fast or slow, mail in can be fast or slow.

[Hammerhead]

I sent my application in the mail in November. They processed my credit card just after Christmas and I got the card in the mail mid-March. They are very slow, but having said that, I experienced no issues.

If I were you I would get on it sooner rather than later.

[JCart]

Send in as soon as practicable. Mine was due for renewal mid January 2024. Sent info off digitally Dec 23, 2023, credit card was charge, still crickets. Called a month ago, nice chap back East said yup looks good at our end, so we forwarded it on to BC authorities and they’ll review and send back to us and we’ll issue renewal…. I said anything else I can do, nope wait another month, let us know and we’ll call BC and see what’s up.
Mine is an RPAL, so not sure what else that entails at their end…
So next time I’ll send mine in way more earlier….

[ayman76]

I renewed mine online using GCKEY , I only uploaded my picture to the standard and paid by CC . After that you can login to GCKEY again and follow up for the renewal acceptance. That’s the easiest way I found it

[Dick284]

A couple of threads already on the subject.


http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=430331

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=423041


Bottom line is there is zero rhyme or rationale, renew at 364 days prior to your license expiration.

Best of luck.

[FishHunterPro]

Non restricted PAL filed on may 6th,2024 and I got the new card in the mail today. Says that it was issue may 18th. Did mine online

[-JR-]

i did mine threw the mail ,i hing i got it back in two month ,may be even less

[-JR-]

i did mine threw the mail ,i thing i got it back in two month ,may be even less .Reason it took so long was i did not send the money with it ,they called me and i gave them my MC over the phone and had it in 2 weeks after that

[Number7]

As elkhunter11 said “ it is a crap shoot” I sent mine in last April through snail mail and received it in Six weeks. Others I have heard have been months. Just make sure you have the right size picture and all the information is correct. online or through the mail, with this government. You never know what you are going to get.

[vic1]

Had to renew mine recently. No issues. Not even 3 weeks. Via mail.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by vic1

Had to renew mine recently. No issues. Not even 3 weeks. Via mail.

Well there you go, even mail can be quick, if you are one of the lucky ones. The issue is, there are also the unlucky ones that wait several months.

[jmullin]

Mine is up for renewal in six months. I just sent in my application online - here's hoping it won't take too long. I will update when I hear back.

[tango]

Six months, online application.

[kostianych]

15 days, online renewal.....

[markg]

My wife wrote her test in April and the Pal arrived today. Thats an excellent turnaround time.

Have to give credit when credit is due

[Dean2]

Online renewal with selfie picture, in Jan this year. 8 business days from date of application late Jan 26th, to in my hand through the mail, which given how slow Canada Post is, makes the turnaround kind of amazing. Previous one 5 years ago took between 2 and 3 weeks, so not bad either. The unfortunate part is many can wait many months. It really is luck and a lotto.

[waldedw]

Mine was done in March snail mail both ways, took 27 days fastest turn around ever for me, previously the fastest turn around was 94 days, maybe they are taking pity on old guy's

[birdseye]

I talked a friend into taking the PAL none restricted course last july,he is still waiting for his PAL. Seems a bit long but not sure how long it should take 🤷*♂️

[fordtruckin]

Mine expires in less than a month. Sent in my renewal at the end of February. Charged my CC and the only info is, initial review has been completed or something long those lines. Called once they said wait another 4-6 weeks which would put it expired. I have to do mine by the mail living in the US. It's a crap shoot and I sure hope it doesn't expire before the issue the new one as some how I feel like I'd get screwed and treated like a first time applicant. Not 4th time renewal.