Canadian trying to bring in Russian girlfriend

[K-nuk]

Hello and apologies if this topic sounds like a broken record.

I'm a 28 year old male, born in Canada to Canadian parents and attending grad school in Ottawa. My girlfriend and I are at the point where we want to move forward in our relationship. We met online about 21 months ago, we've traveled a lot together and our relationship is truly genuine. She's 27, lives in St. Petersburg, Russia, has a master's degree from St. Petersburg State University, is working for a foreign trading company, has beautiful English, and holds open tourist visas for the US and the EU. I love her and want to do whatever it takes to get her here, especially since the economic situation is deteriorating by day in Russia.

We've considered TWFP and PNP, but jobs for her competence (global marketing and trade) are difficult to obtain offers for, and therefore these paths are unlikely. We are willing to get married to get her status in Canada, but consider this a bit less than ideal because we've never lived together for more than a week at a time and I'm a bit afraid of the unknowns. We're not engaged yet either, for what it's worth, but I'm very willing to do so. Would it be alright to have her arrive in a couple of months on a tourist visa, to get engaged or married while she's here, and start a sponsorship process after she returns back to Russia? I am in no way willing to cheat or deceive CIC (I do want a federal government job when I graduate), but I'd like a swift process, if possible, and I don't want her back in Russia any longer than she has to be.

Any assistance is greatly welcomed by the both of us.

C & O

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi

You cannot sponsor her unless you are married or common-law (lived together continuously for a year). Being engaged means nothing to CIC. If she comes to Canada as a visitor and stays with you for a year, you could apply common-law. Otherwise, you will need to get married.

There is no issue with her coming here, getting married and returning to Russia to apply outland. Note that she can also stay here and extend her visitor status while the PR app processes instead of returning to Russia.

 

[K-nuk]

Thank you for that. If my understanding is correct, she can't work for 4 months while on an inland application, nor can she leave? I doubt she would be happy with that since she doesn't like doing nothing, but it's an option. The outland application seems to take 6-12 months, which is also a bit unfavorable due to the length, but would give her sufficient time to terminate her work on good terms and make all preparations.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thank you for that. If my understanding is correct, she can't work for 4 months while on an inland application, nor can she leave? I doubt she would be happy with that since she doesn't like doing nothing, but it's an option. The outland application seems to take 6-12 months, which is also a bit unfavorable due to the length, but would give her sufficient time to terminate her work on good terms and make all preparations.

It is advised to not leave Canada during the entire 2+ year inland process, as the app is cancelled if the applicant is refused re-entry.

She can be IN CANADA while an outland app processes.