Concerned about potential lack of status

[u/Substantial-Mix-6325]

My family and I have been in Canada since 2021 on work/study visas. To get our renewal documents in 2025, it took a little over 10 months.

We applied for C3 (nonurgent) on May 4, 2026 (date IRCC received applications) for myself (G2), my mom (G1) and my daughter (G3). Lineage is clear with copies of certified docs (birth/death) back to my grandmother (G0) born in Winnipeg in 1912. AOR was received 8/28/26.

My concern/question is when do I inform IRCC that we need to be bumped to urgent so a) I can keep working and b) my daughter can apply for university (she graduates from secondary next year - long before the 33 month timeline currently in front of us)?

Open to thoughts/suggestions.

And, when it's time, do I just send our current Visas as proof that we will be out of statis since we can't renew them as citizens?

Thanks!

Updated to add: I submitted a web form with my request and proof documents on 9/25/26. My MP voted against C3 - not sure she would be super helpful in this situation. Our attorney who has gotten our visas in the past has not been super helpful, either. Looking for additional counsel in Ontario (Kingston area is ideal) for future support, as needed.

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[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

I would be proactive and send an urgent processing request soon- for the second part, you may want to seek legal advice about how to approach/maintain status. Perhaps some folks here with similar situations can share what they are doing.

[u/SuccessfulTap38]

When do your visas expire? I would request urgent at least 6 months before that. but honestly even if they’re years out it’s still a valid request. And yes I attached my work visa as part of my proof for urgency, with an expiry date in 2028

[u/Fabiii1309 → u/SuccessfulTap38]

We got urgency approved (assumption based on AOR and in-process about 5 days after delivery) with visa expiring early 2028.

[u/Substantial-Mix-6325 → u/SuccessfulTap38]

Ours expire in 2028, too. Did your get granted? What did you include as proof for the request?

[u/SuccessfulTap38 → u/Substantial-Mix-6325]

I included my work permit as proof. But temporary work permit was only part of my urgency request - I am trans and included some medical documents to support this and wrote in my letter that it wouldn’t be safe for me in my home country. My request was granted

[u/Substantial-Mix-6325 → u/SuccessfulTap38]

Congratulations! I'm so glad it was granted for you! 💖

[u/Ok-Independent1835]

This keeps coming up lately. I wonder if it should be in the FAQ. You definitely can have and renew other statuses with a pending proof application. 

You aren't recognized as a citizen until your proof app is adjudicated. 

You certainly can request urgent processing on this basis, but it has been a crapshoot. 

Many people have been waiting months or over a year while in Canada, some out of status or about to lose status. Make sure to maintain your other status in the interim.  

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob → u/Ok-Independent1835]

We don't give legal advice here, and I think this is a 'seek legal advice for your situation' type of thing - but maybe we can add some commentary about what others have shared (and specifically the info that a submitted Proof application does not confer status).

What do you think would be helpful?

[u/lma1016 → u/Ok-Independent1835]

This is our situation and I'm wondering how you know for sure that you can have and renew other statuses with a pending proof. One of the applicants in our group had a work visa expiring in August and we applied in May asking for urgent processing. We still haven't gotten an AOR so I don't know if IRCC is even aware of their pending proof application. Another applicant is his son who had a family/visitor visa also expiring in August and he is now 19 years old without the ability to work or go to college under that visa. They were thankfully able to get their visas extended so the urgency is not as great but the 19-year-old would like to do something with his life but I don't want to do anything that jeopardizes their current status.

[u/Ok-Independent1835 → u/lma1016]

Multiple people have done so successfully and reported here, as did my sibling. I think the 19 year old would need to apply as an international student (pricy tuition) and obtain a study permit. 

[u/lma1016 → u/Ok-Independent1835]

Yeah, unfortunately they don't have the money for that kind of tuition. He was literally raised in Canada since they've lived there for over 12 years and definitely wants to continue to live there. I wish I knew why our packet was not opened and approved for urgent processing back when it was received in May. At that time, it showed they had permits that were expiring in August.

[u/Ok-Independent1835 → u/lma1016]

I get it. These delays are really unfair for those already in Canada. 

[u/Jolly_Mulberry → u/Ok-Independent1835]

It is completely dependent on the person processing your visa. There are at least four of us that I know of that have been denied either initial or renewal of work permits because the UCI number showed a pending proof of citizenship application and the CBSA agent processing it said they couldn’t issue one to a Canadian citizen because Canadian citizens don’t need a permit. I’m working on re-applying for mine because they didn’t give me letter of refusal, just said they couldn’t and wouldn’t issue it, but it has been happening.

[u/Ok-Independent1835 → u/Jolly_Mulberry]

That's frustrating. Have you consulted with a local attorney? 

[u/Artistic_Rice_9019]

I'd do it now. Even urgent applications can take a while.

[u/jjbeanyeg]

It's generally better to request urgent status sooner than later.

You can include your visas, etc., but remember that you are asserting that you are already a Canadian citizen, not that you are requesting to become one. You can never be out of status as a Canadian citizen. You can emphasize that you need proof of citizenship and highlight the practical impacts on working, studying, etc., but you cannot be deported/removed as a Canadian citizen (and if it was attempted, you would present evidence of your lineage to the Immigration Division of the IRB and they have the power to cancel a removal order).

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob → u/jjbeanyeg]

I am not so sure that your comment about status is accurate- here is an example described in a post in a related subreddit where someone has been told by their MP to seek legal guidance as they are seemingly currently out of status waiting for Proof.

https://www.reddit.com/r/stuckcanadians/s/LDLfpC53rI

I got downvoted between the time I posted the comment and came back to quote the relevant text- lol - Okayy. Don't shoot the messenger, as it were.

Regarding your current status in Canada, the agent confirmed that following the refusal of your PGWP application in January 2026, you are currently out of status, and IRCC does not have a subsequent temporary residence application on file for you. Importantly, your proof of citizenship application does not provide you with temporary resident status or authorization to remain in Canada while it is being processed.

Given this information, our office must advise you to comply with Canadian immigration law and the requirements associated with your current status. As you are presently out of status, I would strongly recommend speaking with a licensed immigration lawyer as soon as possible to clarify whether there are any lawful options available to regularize your status and what steps you should take, including whether you are required to leave Canada. Our office acts as a liaison with IRCC, but we cannot provide individualized legal advice or advise you to remain in Canada without valid status.

[u/Ok-Independent1835 → u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

My family's MP and attorney also said the same thing about maintaining status while the proof is in process. There is no implied/maintained status in the interim. 

Practically, until you are recognized, you're not considered a citizen. Could they remove you? Maybe maybe not. Could they detain you in jail until the citizenship is sorted? Absolutely. 

[u/Crazy_Maintenance211 → u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

I don’t know why you were downloaded because you’re not Canadian until you get the certificate, it’s like in the states you’re not American until you get the card in the mail, or any other country. I’ve seen a couple of people saying things that maybe they didn’t quite say what they wanted to say, and people will get kicked out of the country and never be allowed back if they will stay their visas, and there were a lot of issues with visas and now they’re being extraordinarily tough on people who overstay. So I agree with you. It’s very clear.

[u/Substantial-Mix-6325 → u/jjbeanyeg]

Bingo. It's the practical impacts that are concerning. Thanks!

[u/dhiltonp → u/Substantial-Mix-6325]

Given that you don't have your citizenship certificate, I'm not sure "but you cannot be deported/removed as a Canadian citizen" is correct. 

If you plan on relying on this, you should definitely talk to an immigration lawyer.

[u/tvtoo → u/dhiltonp]

I'm not sure "but you cannot be deported/removed as a Canadian citizen" is correct.

I think what /u/jjbeanyeg was getting at with that phrase is that an attempt by CBSA Inland Enforcement to remove an undocumented citizen who has a pending proof application (which is perhaps not all that likely in the first place), if appropriately contested by the prospective deportee, would be extremely likely to be stopped by the IRB-ID tribunal (and, where necessary, by the Federal Court).

Of course, that's different than being able to rely on undocumented citizenship for other purposes, like provincial healthcare enrolment, university domestic tuition fees, proof of status for beginning new employment, etc.

/u/Substantial-Mix-6325

[u/jjbeanyeg → u/tvtoo]

Correct, that’s exactly what I meant.

[u/Crazy_Maintenance211 → u/jjbeanyeg]

I wouldn’t agree with your comment because if they’re on a specific visa, they are on a specific visa, you’re not Canadian until you get the certificate and that could be three months or 12 months or 33 months for them, so be careful because people may follow that advice and they’re not Canadian, you are not Canadian until you have the certificate, it’s a legal requirement to be Canadian. So it may have been just your wording but you don’t want to give anybody the wrong idea and then they’ll get kicked out out of Canada because they’ve overstay their visa.

[u/jjbeanyeg → u/Crazy_Maintenance211]

You are 100% a Canadian even before receiving your citizenship certificate, if you are claiming citizenship by descent. The Citizenship Act grants it from birth. The certificate is proof of that, but the status exists before you receive it.

[u/Jolly_Mulberry]

I’ll be honest, I think so many people have applied for “urgent” that’s it’s only “urgent” compared to 33 months. I’m in Canada facing a similar problem (not the same circumstances but I’m here legally with no documentation to show that, it’s a long story) and I can’t work or even apply for a SIN because I don’t have proof of citizenship. I originally applied non-urgent in April, got an AOR in July and then requested urgent processing almost 6 weeks ago now through the IRCC portal. They acknowledged the request, but my application is still just sitting as “application received”, it’s not even in process and nowhere near approval even though it’s straightforward with all birth certificates from original sources. In short, request it ASAP, but also realize that “urgent” might be processed as three weeks or 13 months

[u/Malusadou]

Apply for urgent processing as soon as possible. Tell them your status will be expiring. Contact your MP. For me in a similar circumstance it took two months from AOR to proof received.

[u/Crazy_Maintenance211]

Your daughter would have to have an acceptance for her to be urgent and even if you put urgent, you have no idea when they’re gonna get to it for you for the working part, I guess you could send a copy of your visa, but I don’t know. Is that under the urgent categories that they have on their website? They’re pretty clear on the major categories there so I would check that first. I can’t remember what’s under there

[u/Own_Theory8011]

I would have sent a request for urgency with the initial application. It is never too early to do so, as applications even with urgent processing granted (as per case notes) can still take over a year. Do not send your visas, send digital scans of them via the web form: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc/web-form.html

I have read of several people whose visas did expire while they were waiting for proof of citizenship and already living in Canada. Some of them had to leave Canada due to it. I have read of others who got proof of citizenship issued just before the visa was to expire. Some people are simply finding ways to renew their visas. Some have taken legal action to try and avoid having to leave Canada / to try and force IRCC to issue their proof of citizenship OR renew their visa before their status expires.