New firearms possession and acquisition licence cards

Starting January 2023, firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) cards will have a different look, and contain enhanced security features.

Three versions of the valid PAL cards will be in circulation over the next five years as the Canadian Firearms Program transitions to the new PAL card:

• standard cards issued from December 1998 to May 2022
• interim cards issued between May and December 2022 that do not contain a magnetic strip on the back of the card
• new cards issued starting in January 2023

The previously issued PAL cards will remain valid until they expire. All three PAL cards contain the required identification and licensing information. By December 2027, the previously issued PAL cards should all be expired and only the new cards will be in circulation.

If you already have a valid PAL card, no action is required on your part at this time; your existing PAL card will remain valid until it expires. New PAL cards will be issued on renewal.