How do the experts become experts?

[toby]

There are some people on this site who really know their stuff.

For example, I wish I had read the manual on spousal applications at the outset, but I didn't know it existed. Someone -- who evidently has examined every nook and cranny in the Immigration website -- suggested going to Services to find the manuals.  WHo knew that manuals (not cited in the instructions on how to complete applications) would be found under Services? 

Others seem to have experience with many facets -- not only how to get PR but citizenship, interviews, etc etc.

So, experts like PMM and Mitimata and others; how did you acquire your expertise?

Fess up, please!

TOby

[mitamata]

I can't speak for PMM, who actually knows a thing or two about this, but all I have is personal experience, common sense and a LOT of forum browsing. I started reading the forums several months before applying, I've been at it for almost a year now. After you read how something is done 20+ times, you tend to be able to repeat it Same for links, most of us got all the useful links from forums like this one. And I suspect most of us do it because it helps us deal with the stress of the process. When you're busy answering others, you don't have time to worry about yourself.
Considering how quickly my application was done, I really shouldn't be one to talk, but it was still the most stressful thing I've even gone through in my life.

[toby]

Good points.

Actually, for me the process becamse less stressful when I decided that if we were rejected, we'd abandon the attempt, buy a house here in China, and apply each year for tourist visas to allow us to be in Canada during the summer months each year. Having a house in China would add reassurance (for Canada) that my wife intended to return to China after Canada.

This raises a question:

Does Canada have 5 and 10-year visas like the USA does for "trusted" tourists?  That would eliminate the tedium of applying every year.

TOby

[mitamata]

To my knowledge, there is no such visa.

Usually when people come on here, they freak out a bit reading stories about rejections and all the proof people send and so on. But for the most part, if you have a legitimate relationship, you will get approved. Sometimes IOs make mistakes, but those are more of an exception than the rule. No need to be pesimistic yet

[job_seeker]

Good points.

Actually, for me the process becamse less stressful when I decided that if we were rejected, we'd abandon the attempt, buy a house here in China, and apply each year for tourist visas to allow us to be in Canada during the summer months each year. Having a house in China would add reassurance (for Canada) that my wife intended to return to China after Canada.

This raises a question:

Does Canada have 5 and 10-year visas like the USA does for "trusted" tourists?  That would eliminate the tedium of applying every year.

TOby

Canada has multiple entry visitor visas. In the application form Q1, you can choose whether you want a single or multiple entry visa.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5257B.PDF

I just don't know if Canada ever gave a 10-year multiple entry visitor visa similar to the one US has. There were people who were given 3-year multiple though.

[rjessome]

My story is very similar to mitimata although I did NOT read these forums until after I applied to sponsor my husband.  Big mistake.  And then I went to school to learn more.  Immigration is a BIG area of law, not just family class.  I knew tons about temporary foreign workers going into this but quickly learned that the procedures are SO different in family class.

I suspect PMM is a retired VO.  Just my suspician.  And we are SO grateful he is here because his advice is always bang on.  Obviously he keeps up to date with all the changes that occur and he knows something extremely valuable that can't be "taught".  That is how overseas missions react to certain things.  That's why I "think" he used to be a VO, maybe even a program manager.  If you search him out you will see that his expertise spans across the board when it comes to immigration.  He gives solid advice in all of the forums.  Not sure what he offers in the appeals threads because I don't "haunt" those and hopefully I never will!

I have never heard of a multiple entry visa longer than 3 years either.

[PMM]

Hi

Good points.

Actually, for me the process becamse less stressful when I decided that if we were rejected, we'd abandon the attempt, buy a house here in China, and apply each year for tourist visas to allow us to be in Canada during the summer months each year. Having a house in China would add reassurance (for Canada) that my wife intended to return to China after Canada.

This raises a question:

Does Canada have 5 and 10-year visas like the USA does for "trusted" tourists?  That would eliminate the tedium of applying every year.

TOby

Canada has multiple entry visitor visas. In the application form Q1, you can choose whether you want a single or multiple entry visa.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5257B.PDF

I just don't know if Canada ever gave a 10-year multiple entry visitor visa similar to the one US has. There were people who were given 3-year multiple though.

The maximum is 5 years as multiple entry TRV.  From OP 11

A multiple-entry visa:
• has a maximum validity date of up to five years or one month prior to the expiry date on the
passport/re-entry visa, whichever is earlier.

PMM