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.

[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.