Visitor visa for a Russian

[JaceAndKieran]

Hello! I'm a Canadian citizen inviting my Russian partner to come to Canada to visit me, and we applied for a Visitor Visa to the Canadian Embassy in Moscow on April 12, 2022. Our intention is to get married as soon as he arrives, but the Canadian government doesn't know that, and for immigration purposes we are "very close friends".

My question is why it might be taking so long? We filed the application in Moscow on April 12, and he gave his biometric information on April 14. The processing time when we filed was listed as 39 days, but it's since decreased to 19 days.

We gave a letter of invitation from me, proof of financial resources for him and for me because I'm partially supporting his travels, a letter of financial support from me, proof of friendship in the form of a selection of texts spanning a full calendar year, etc. IRCC has not reached out to either of us.

One more detail to include. We filed this second application because the first - filed a month prior - was not completed due to delays in giving biometrics that exceeded the allowed biometrics submission window of 30 days. We also emailed IRCC with the web form to clarify that the newer application is the one that should be used, and that the old one should be disregarded.

What's going on?

 

[scylla]

Hello! I'm a Canadian citizen inviting my Russian partner to come to Canada to visit me, and we applied for a Visitor Visa to the Canadian Embassy in Moscow on April 12, 2022. Our intention is to get married as soon as he arrives, but the Canadian government doesn't know that, and for immigration purposes we are "very close friends".

My question is why it might be taking so long? We filed the application in Moscow on April 12, and he gave his biometric information on April 14. The processing time when we filed was listed as 39 days, but it's since decreased to 19 days.

We gave a letter of invitation from me, proof of financial resources for him and for me because I'm partially supporting his travels, a letter of financial support from me, proof of friendship in the form of a selection of texts spanning a full calendar year, etc. IRCC has not reached out to either of us.

One more detail to include. We filed this second application because the first - filed a month prior - was not completed due to delays in giving biometrics that exceeded the allowed biometrics submission window of 30 days. We also emailed IRCC with the web form to clarify that the newer application is the one that should be used, and that the old one should be disregarded.

What's going on?

We are seeing many TRVs taking longer to process than the posted timeline right now. The reasons are that IRCC is prioritizing processing of other temporary visas, specifically study permits, work permits and the CUAET visas for Ukrainians who have been displaced and are escaping from the war.

IRCC won't reach out to you for further information. They will make a decision in the application based on the information you've submitted.

 

[dashads]

Hello! I'm a Canadian citizen inviting my Russian partner to come to Canada to visit me, and we applied for a Visitor Visa to the Canadian Embassy in Moscow on April 12, 2022. Our intention is to get married as soon as he arrives, but the Canadian government doesn't know that, and for immigration purposes we are "very close friends".

My question is why it might be taking so long? We filed the application in Moscow on April 12, and he gave his biometric information on April 14. The processing time when we filed was listed as 39 days, but it's since decreased to 19 days.

We gave a letter of invitation from me, proof of financial resources for him and for me because I'm partially supporting his travels, a letter of financial support from me, proof of friendship in the form of a selection of texts spanning a full calendar year, etc. IRCC has not reached out to either of us.

One more detail to include. We filed this second application because the first - filed a month prior - was not completed due to delays in giving biometrics that exceeded the allowed biometrics submission window of 30 days. We also emailed IRCC with the web form to clarify that the newer application is the one that should be used, and that the old one should be disregarded.

What's going on?

Hey,

I applied for a TRV for my parents on March 1, and still nothing. I sent them a follow up message twice, and received a standard response about "Covid". The reality is that all visas for Russian citizens are processed in Warsaw, and Warsaw is focusing on issuing CUAET documents for Ukrainian refugees. The visas seem to be stuck for Russian visitors, students etc. - all categories of applicants.

I am hopeful that we will hear back by the end of the year, but frankly, it is very unclear now...

 

[canuck78]

Hello! I'm a Canadian citizen inviting my Russian partner to come to Canada to visit me, and we applied for a Visitor Visa to the Canadian Embassy in Moscow on April 12, 2022. Our intention is to get married as soon as he arrives, but the Canadian government doesn't know that, and for immigration purposes we are "very close friends".

My question is why it might be taking so long? We filed the application in Moscow on April 12, and he gave his biometric information on April 14. The processing time when we filed was listed as 39 days, but it's since decreased to 19 days.

We gave a letter of invitation from me, proof of financial resources for him and for me because I'm partially supporting his travels, a letter of financial support from me, proof of friendship in the form of a selection of texts spanning a full calendar year, etc. IRCC has not reached out to either of us.

One more detail to include. We filed this second application because the first - filed a month prior - was not completed due to delays in giving biometrics that exceeded the allowed biometrics submission window of 30 days. We also emailed IRCC with the web form to clarify that the newer application is the one that should be used, and that the old one should be disregarded.

What's going on?

Always risky to lie to IRCC about the fact that you are not in a relationship given that you want to sponsor the person very soon. IRCC will assume you are in a relationship especially given that you intend to pay for part of his travel. The chances of approval are relatively low for various reasons so would have a plan B.

 

[Idilia555]

Hey,

I applied for a TRV for my parents on March 1, and still nothing. I sent them a follow up message twice, and received a standard response about "Covid". The reality is that all visas for Russian citizens are processed in Warsaw, and Warsaw is focusing on issuing CUAET documents for Ukrainian refugees. The visas seem to be stuck for Russian visitors, students etc. - all categories of applicants.

I am hopeful that we will hear back by the end of the year, but frankly, it is very unclear now...

I thought it is processed in Moscow Canadian embassy, did not know it is Warsaw office, applied for my parents visitor visas who live in Russia on April 13. Nothing for now.

 

[dockerhooman]

I've applied for my minor child who is in Russia on 31 March 2022 and still nothing

 

[ryvinson]

Applications from higher-risk countries will take more time to process.

 

[Sylqiu]

is there any updates? My Russian girlfriend applied on June 15 and are supposedly coming on Aug 6 for one week with tickets booked. At that time we thought the time is enough until we see this thread…

 

[dockerhooman]

is there any updates? My Russian girlfriend applied on June 15 and are supposedly coming on Aug 6 for one week with tickets booked. At that time we thought the time is enough until we see this thread…

Nope, nothing for me

 

[scylla]

is there any updates? My Russian girlfriend applied on June 15 and are supposedly coming on Aug 6 for one week with tickets booked. At that time we thought the time is enough until we see this thread…

I honestly don't think that's going to be enough time. The posted processing time is 51 days but realistically it's taking much longer right now since IRCC is prioritizing CUAET visas for Ukrainians who are fleeing the war.

Can you change the date on the tickets or are they refundable? The advice here is never to buy tickets in advance and only to buy them after the visa has been approved.

 

[Idilia555]

Hi, anyone got visa recently? Applied in April for my mom, still nothing.

 

[dashads]

Hello all. I am waiting for my parents' visitor visa since March 2, still nothing.
For Canadians and PRs - I recommend contacting your MP about that, as they can put more pressure on the IRCC. I did that on my end, and they confirmed with IRCC that all is okay with the documents and they will be processed (they of course did not provide us with a timeline though). But still, better than nothing.

 

[Idilia555]

I have excactly same idea about involving MP cause this get ridiculous. Thanks to confirm my thoughts!

 

[Ololosh]

Applied for TRV/TRP of my newborn in June 2022. I don't know where the application is getting processed, but if it is Warsaw VO, I guess there will be no news at least until December. Oh well.

 

[Idilia555]

I read somewhere that for russian residents they process visas in Warsaw's office, not in Moscow...