working over 20 hrs/week on OCWP

[scuzzbag]

Hi everyone! I know, this topic has been discussed here many times, but I didn't find the answer I'm looking for. So, the question is: does the CIC check everyone on going over 20 hrs? If yes, at what point do they do it (when I apply for PGWP or PR)? Or they only start investigation when school finds out about that (this one is based on the following quote: ''Although there is no legislation or policy preventing students from working 20 hours a week on campus and 20 hours a week off-campus, DIRs should discourage students from working more than 20 hours a week, reminding them that they must study full-time and maintain satisfactory academic standing in order to remain eligible for the program.'')?

I understand, it's breaching my visa conditions and it may cause serious consequences. I'd like to hear from someone who has been in similar situation or knows about similar cases (friends, friends of friends, etc.)

Thanx in advance for answering!

 

[scylla]

The checks are random and CIC doesn't just rely on schools for information. They also rely on employers and CRA (i.e. what employers report to Canada Revenue Agency against your SIN). CIC also follows up on any complains received about illegal work through their web site / phone number. CIC may check at any point from the time you first arrive in Canada as a student.

I think the chances of being caught are low. However if caught, you can count on being removed from Canada and can forget about ever again qualifying for the following types of visas to Canada: student visa, work visa, visitor visa. A removal can also impact applications to other countries such as the US. I doubt you'll hear any first hand or second hand experiences here. People generally don't post information to the forum about being caught, since once you're caught - it's game over and you're going home.

 

[scuzzbag]

Does Revenue Canada monitor this stuff. Or they only care about taxes being properly paid?

 

[txboyscout]

Does Revenue Canada monitor this stuff. Or they only care about taxes being properly paid?

Revenue Canada has nothing to do with immigration enforcement--they only care that you pay the right amount of taxes. However, CIC can ask revenue canada for your records if they wish to. There is always the possibility you will be caught and deported so that's on you to decide if that's a risk worth taking.

 

[scuzzbag]

okay, thanks for quick replies, guys! i really appreciate it!! just wanna summarize what i understood: a)there's no trigger for a check; they do it randomly. b) if caught, nothing's gonna save you. so it's best just to obey the rules.

the only thing, i'm still confused about is the quote i mentioned before (Although there is no legislation or policy preventing students from working 20 hours a week on campus and 20 hours a week off-campus, DIRs should discourage students from working more than 20 hours a week, reminding them that they must study full-time and maintain satisfactory academic standing in order to remain eligible for the program).

could anyone explain me what it means? does it just mean that there's no, let's say, 'systematic catching'? or is it something else?

 

[mead]

okay, thanks for quick replies, guys! i really appreciate it!! just wanna summarize what i understood: a)there's no trigger for a check; they do it randomly. b) if caught, nothing's gonna save you. so it's best just to obey the rules.

the only thing, i'm still confused about is the quote i mentioned before (Although there is no legislation or policy preventing students from working 20 hours a week on campus and 20 hours a week off-campus, DIRs should discourage students from working more than 20 hours a week, reminding them that they must study full-time and maintain satisfactory academic standing in order to remain eligible for the program).

could anyone explain me what it means? does it just mean that there's no, let's say, 'systematic catching'? or is it something else?

means they discourage working on campus 20hrs and off campus 20hrs ..it does not mean they cannot track if u work off campus for more than 20hrs. also if u work off campus for more than 20hrs it may be tracked during ur PR application or in future or when extending ur study permit etc.....so if ur working more than 20hrs and getting paid legally meaning paying taxes then u can get into trouble .

 

[scuzzbag]

ok, now i got it. it's not worth it at all then. thanks!

 

[aurora_borealis]

Just this week I spoke to a student who worked in the summer without a work permit. He applied to extend his study permit after returning to school and was refused because CIC had knowledge of his illegal employment. He'll have to leave and probably won't be able to come back.

 

[Marlee]

Just out if curiosity...how would they know?

 

[mead]

Just out if curiosity...how would they know?

various ways
by people who may complain , by co workers, rarely but sometimes by raids , from taxes , from employer if he is not happy with u etc

 

[Marlee]

Taxes? I thought the CRA does not forward any information to CIC unless requested.

 

[PPAAR]

The checks are random and CIC doesn't just rely on schools for information. They also rely on employers and CRA (i.e. what employers report to Canada Revenue Agency against your SIN). CIC also follows up on any complains received about illegal work through their web site / phone number. CIC may check at any point from the time you first arrive in Canada as a student.

I think the chances of being caught are low. However if caught, you can count on being removed from Canada and can forget about ever again qualifying for the following types of visas to Canada: student visa, work visa, visitor visa. A removal can also impact applications to other countries such as the US. I doubt you'll hear any first hand or second hand experiences here. People generally don't post information to the forum about being caught, since once you're caught - it's game over and you're going home.

well information is quite useful. i have one question, is CRA has all the info about hours/week, if yes how CRA get that ??? because someone tells me, only amount of income and tax employer provide to CRA. please response!!

 

[scylla]

What if you only worked more than 20 hours for 1 week and the rest of your week from working are less than 20 hours. Will that also cost you? Sometimes it's very confusing for international students like us that the typical work week is different in Canada.

If you work more than 20 hours per week it's a violation of your study permit. Violations of your study permit can lead to the study permit being canceled and being ordered to leave Canada. If you accidentally worked more than 20 hours a week once then you should be fine. Don't do it more than once if being allowed to remain in Canada is a priority.

 

[Stefan_deep]

Hello,

Can anyone please help me with my confusion ? In COVID-19 outbreak, I worked 40 hours per week but after Aug 31. Unfortunately, I worked 24 hours in two weeks of october-20 but rest of the weeks I worked only 20 hours per week. I am going to apply my PGWP in Jan-21 so will there be any issue ?

 

[sufjans]

Hello,

Can anyone please help me with my confusion ? In COVID-19 outbreak, I worked 40 hours per week but after Aug 31. Unfortunately, I worked 24 hours in two weeks of october-20 but rest of the weeks I worked only 20 hours per week. I am going to apply my PGWP in Jan-21 so will there be any issue ?

Little bit sometimes is probably fine as it can happen unintentionally. But don't do it again. Won't affect PGWP.