Basic questions

[CanadaMan]

I have some basic questions which undoubtedly have been asked countless times here.
I wouldn't know where to find them quickly though, so am asking them once again. 

How long can a visitor stay in Russia to visit his girlfriend (maximum) ?
Can he stay at her apartment for this time period?
Is there a particular visa type that needs to be applied for, for this?
How long, *on average*, does it take a Russian woman to obtain her sponsorship visa (once married), to enter Canada?

TIA

[boaterguy]

Max on a tourist visa is 30 days. If you are going to stay in her apartment you are technically suppose to get a homestay visa which is good for 60 days. I can't remember all the details of a business visa...but good for 6 months per year(I don't remember if you can stay a straight 6 months).

Can't help with Canadian Immigration.

[BillyB]

Can he stay at her apartment for this time period?

Damn, CanadaMan, you just got there and already wanting to shack it up with her.    Kind of strange since you had thoughts she could be a scammer/pro dater right before your visit. When you get home, sit back and reflect on the events that happened and you will make a more rational decision on if she's the one. Like most men who go there you're on a high right now.

You can stay at your lady's apartment although you listed your place of stay in another location on your visa application. You still need to have your visa registered. On your next visit if it's to be at her place, you could probably ask a hotel or go to the police station to have your visa registered within 3 days of your arrival. Expect to pay a fee.

[CanadaMan]

Damn, CanadaMan, you just got there and already wanting to shack it up with her.    Kind of strange since you had thoughts she could be a scammer/pro dater right before your visit. When you get home, sit back and reflect on the events that happened and you will make a more rational decision on if she's the one. Like most men who go there you're on a high right now.

I hear ya' loud and clear Billy. 
You are right, I was quite concerned for a few days when I couldn't get in touch with her. It turns out I was dialing the wrong number for a couple of days!

I will certainly reflect on the visit once I get back home.
There are many elements that are in play for me, not the usual, to be sure. Elements such as 1. I hate traveling on planes! (hence my inquiry about extending the visit) 2. My age, her age, we're not getting any younger each day...time to take some action before I/we kick the bucket in a few years...(I made this trip after  a little more than a month of communicating with her) ...

You can stay at your lady's apartment although you listed your place of stay in another location on your visa application. You still need to have your visa registered. On your next visit if it's to be at her place, you could probably ask a hotel or go to the police station to have your visa registered within 3 days of your arrival. Expect to pay a fee.

Thanks, good to know.

The main sticking point for Canadians, (as has been brought up here time and time again), is that since we stopped our fiancee visa system several years ago we really have only two choices to bring our GF's over:
Marry her or marry her. 
This is the reason I started making all of the inquiries about how to stay longer in Russia. In other words I'm thinking ahead, very quickly.

Again, everyone's situation is unique, and mine has my personal footprint on it. We are going to have a good one-on-one talk before I leave to see if we are on the same page with this.

But again, I hear what you're saying Billy.

[docetae]

How long, *on average*, does it take a Russian woman to obtain her sponsorship visa (once married), to enter Canada?

TIA

For the second part, we are now at 9 months of wait since we have sent papers to Mississauga...

it is around 45 days between papers sent from Mississauga to the embassy. and will be at least 6 months one time everything is at the embassy. Max 15 months...
In our case we have had a 2 months extra delay because of mistakes done somewhere (or embassy or in Quebec, don't know... but we lose 2 months because papers were not sent or received..)

Procedure is really difficult and long..

[CanadaMan]

Procedure is really difficult and long..

Thanks Docetae. From what I've read previously, it sounds like 1 year+ is par for the course.
Have you lived with your wife in Russia and if so, for how long?

TIA

[docetae]

My wife is from Ukraine and has a multi entry visitor visa (3 years) visa for Canada. She spent around 5 months with me in Montreal in 3 stays during last year. Her son was not allowed to have his visa and had to stay each time with his grand parents. This is why she was staying only short time and had to go back to Ukraine. Now we have all papers complete, everything done and permanent visa for both should be normally issued within 2 months (we hope)

[CanadaMan]

My wife is from Ukraine and has a multi entry visitor visa (3 years) visa for Canada. She spent around 5 months with me in Montreal in 3 stays during last year. Her son was not allowed to have his visa and had to stay each time with his grand parents. This is why she was staying only short time and had to go back to Ukraine. Now we have all papers complete, everything done and permanent visa for both should be normally issued within 2 months (we hope)

Ah I see docetae, sorry about the mix up of countries.
How did you go about/succeed in getting a multi entry visitor visa?
If we could achieve that it would be _so much easier to go forward from this stage.
What are your ages? From what I understand, it's almost impossible for a 40-something year old non-professional woman from Russia with a low-income job to get a visitor's visa to Canada.

[docetae]

How did you go about/succeed in getting a multi entry visitor visa?

We applied two times for a single entry visa, third time for a multiple entry visa. She gave good guarantee that she will come back (her son is staying in Ukraine during her stay), she owns her apartment who has good value. She is 35 and professional with a good income. I am 35 too with same social/economical background than my wife.

[CanadaMan]

How did you go about/succeed in getting a multi entry visitor visa?

We applied two times for a single entry visa, third time for a multiple entry visa. She gave good guarantee that she will come back (her son is staying in Ukraine during her stay), she owns her apartment who has good value. She is 35 and professional with a good income. I am 35 too with same social/economical background than my wife.

I see.
Well you are a lucky guy on many counts.
1. Young ages
2. Young son staying at home is a very strong tie!
3. Owning property with good value is another strong tie.
4. She's a professional, another big plus.

...and yet it still took three attempts before you were able to get her a visa to Canada!

I did a lot of research on this over the last couple of years (before even starting this FSU thing) and know the percentages of bringing over a non-professional, low-income, middle-aged woman to Canada who has little real ties to her country.
They are next to nil.

So as I say you are a lucky man indeed.
Best of luck and I hope your bride arrives ASAP.