What to do about illegal work experience? *PGWP*

[alexsmith14]

Hi everyone,

I would like someone's opinion on my work experience. I've finished university in Canada and applied for PGWP, which I received for 3 years. I would like to ask if the following would completely prevent me from getting PR in the near future?

---
I had a part-time job while still being in school that was 20 hours per week.

My last final exam was officially on May 19 (I switched to full time (40h) work right after that), later on June 11 I received a letter that stated that I satisfied all the requirements for graduation. Later, on June 19 I graduated (received diploma).

I applied for PGWP on July 8 2018.

Throughout May 19 and July 8 I kept working full time, and work now (same job)

I was only allowed to work part-time while waiting for the letter of confirmation that I satisfied all the requirements, and should have stopped working completely when I got that letter. Then I was allowed to work only after my PGPW application was received by IRCC.
---


What do I do? Can I count my work experience from July 9 and leave my mistake of the table? Or mention the period of time that I shouldn't have been working? I heard many people have made this mistake, perhaps it was you and you can share your experience. Thanks

FYI: i will be applying for BC PNP and the PR by the end of 2019

 

[Telitos]

Hi,

I was in a somewhat similar situation as I worked after my PGWP was expired, which I was technically not allowed to do. I also participated in a full-time class which i was also not allowed to do as I was now considered a visitor in Canada.

I asked a lawyer at the time and he said very clearly:

Option a)

- You lie to them. If they find out, it can jeopardize not just your application, but your ensuing PR and Citizenship forever (they can decide to withdraw your citizenship at any point in the future if they establish you lied at some point, and if they care to obviously)

Option b)

- state your illegal/unauthorized work experiences in all the places it should be listed. (however, illegal/unauthorized work experiences most likely cannot be counted as work experience towards your PR, but I don't know that for sure)

- write a letter along with your application (there is a section that let's you do that) which adresses the issue. Tell them why you did it, tell them you know you shouldn't have, basically write an apology.

I choose option b) exactly as stated above.

I never got any notification regarding this issue and got my PR soon after.

Choice is yours.

 

[alexsmith14]

@Telitos

Thank you for your thorough response. Option b) is the best plan of action in my opinion, so I will go with that.

I sent you a message regarding the lawyer.

Thanks.

 

[Telitos]

@Telitos

Thank you for your thorough response. Option b) is the best plan of action in my opinion, so I will go with that.

I sent you a message regarding the lawyer.

Thanks.

You're welcome!
I didn't get any messages though...

 

[alexsmith14]

Just sent you a message

 

[Island_vibes]

Hi everyone,

I would like someone's opinion on my work experience. I've finished university in Canada and applied for PGWP, which I received for 3 years. I would like to ask if the following would completely prevent me from getting PR in the near future?

---
I had a part-time job while still being in school that was 20 hours per week.

My last final exam was officially on May 19 (I switched to full time (40h) work right after that), later on June 11 I received a letter that stated that I satisfied all the requirements for graduation. Later, on June 19 I graduated (received diploma).

I applied for PGWP on July 8 2018.

Throughout May 19 and July 8 I kept working full time, and work now (same job)

I was only allowed to work part-time while waiting for the letter of confirmation that I satisfied all the requirements, and should have stopped working completely when I got that letter. Then I was allowed to work only after my PGPW application was received by IRCC.
---


What do I do? Can I count my work experience from July 9 and leave my mistake of the table? Or mention the period of time that I shouldn't have been working? I heard many people have made this mistake, perhaps it was you and you can share your experience. Thanks

FYI: i will be applying for BC PNP and the PR by the end of 2019

Hi Alex,

Have a question. Did u declare your pre PGWP work in ur PGWP application? Also say "yes" to have u ever worked illegally in Canada ? I'm in the same situation applying for PR next month

 

[Island_vibes]

You're welcome!
I didn't get any messages though...

Hi Telito,

Can you also send your lawyers information? Thanks a bunch

 

[Island_vibes]

Hi Alex,

Have a question. Did u declare your pre PGWP work in ur PGWP application? Also say "yes" to have u ever worked illegally in Canada ? I'm in the same situation applying for PR next month

@Telitos

Thank you for your thorough response. Option b) is the best plan of action in my opinion, so I will go with that.

I sent you a message regarding the lawyer.

Thanks.

Hi @alexsmith14

I'm in the same situation. Did u find a lawyer regarding this? Please I need help , can you email if you find someone thushariy@yahoo.com

 

[petiterobenoire]

I choose option b) exactly as stated above.

I never got any notification regarding this issue and got my PR soon after.

Choice is yours.

@Telitos, not sure if you check these forums... but if you do, could you elaborate a bit on your situation? (How long did you work illegally, for ex.?)

I'm in a similar situation, with having sat in on a class or two, and done some babysitting work for pocket change.

Your post gives me the courage to declare this on my PR application, and let the visa officers decide with full information. As opposed to starting a life in Canada based on fraud.

But still... some hope for leniency or discretion would be helpful.

 

[Ylover207]

Hi,

I was in a somewhat similar situation as I worked after my PGWP was expired, which I was technically not allowed to do. I also participated in a full-time class which i was also not allowed to do as I was now considered a visitor in Canada.

I asked a lawyer at the time and he said very clearly:

Option a)

- You lie to them. If they find out, it can jeopardize not just your application, but your ensuing PR and Citizenship forever (they can decide to withdraw your citizenship at any point in the future if they establish you lied at some point, and if they care to obviously)

Option b)

- state your illegal/unauthorized work experiences in all the places it should be listed. (however, illegal/unauthorized work experiences most likely cannot be counted as work experience towards your PR, but I don't know that for sure)

- write a letter along with your application (there is a section that let's you do that) which adresses the issue. Tell them why you did it, tell them you know you shouldn't have, basically write an apology.

I choose option b) exactly as stated above.

I never got any notification regarding this issue and got my PR soon after.

Choice is yours.

Hello
Plz I would like to get more info
I have worked in another country
I had visitor status so technically this work experience is considered as illegal .
Someone advices me to declare that I was engaged to someone in that country and that I was not working .
What do you suggest me to do :
1-/ say that I was engaged to someone who was caring about my personal expenses ?
2/ declare that I was working on paid cash commission while being as tourist ?

One more question : if I declare that illegal experience ? Can I claim points for it ?
PS : I was working in a import /export office who was dealing with Arab customers , I was in charge of finding the customer and making all the deal , I was paid by commission , payement was cash since I did not have a work permit .
Plz advice