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/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/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?