Working under the table.. what are the real risks?

[Huxley1234]

About to send in our application to Sponsor my girlfriend under the Common law status... and I want to make sure the CRA or immigration officers don't have any magic tricks, or special ability, to identify that my girlfriend (an Argentina national who was here on visitor visa) picked up a few odd jobs here and there to help with bills.

ps: I have a great job and able to meet all requirements to support both of us with my salary. But she was working mainly to not be too bored, or waste great opportunities. Our lawyer said we should not mention it at all and we will be fine. Any advice? Any experience, good or bad?

 

[robrod]

Working under the table without a permit is illegal.
Risks are huge, why risk being caught and have your sponsorhip application get in trouble?. Not worth it especially if the person is doing it out of "boredom".

 

[Huxley1234]

I know the consequences are huge (which is what I think you meant), but I'd like to know if anyone has experience or knowledge about teh actual risks of getting caught, and what kind of info the gov't has access to to figure this out?

 

[mc1234]

I know the consequences are huge (which is what I think you meant), but I'd like to know if anyone has experience or knowledge about teh actual risks of getting caught, and what kind of info the gov't has access to to figure this out?

I really doubt they would be able too (or really try to) figure that out. Dont worry about it.

Are you applying inland or outland? I think on the inland they may ask that question, but on the outland they dont. Anyways, now that you are about to apply for PR, my advice (as I am sure you already are well aware) is that even if she is really bored, dont work under the table while waiting for PR. It would just complicate things if she did get caught. Goodluck!

 

[parker24]

Let me put it this way.

She gets caught, she gets banned from Canada for at least a year. Your application would be thrown out and you'd have to reapply after the ban.

Is it worth it? If she's bored, she CAN volunteer. No money involved at all.

 

[mc1234]

Is it worth it? If she's bored, she CAN volunteer. No money involved at all.

Yeah I agree, volunteering or doing something else other than working to occupy their time. My SO spends a lot of the time at the gym now while I am at work, its much better for us now that he has something to do everyday! The boredom is real, and I get that - but after all the hard work and effort you put in for the application, don't let a few bucks get in the way! My 2 cents atleast.

 

[Huxley1234]

I appreciate everyone's advice - but I don't think anyone is really addressing the question.

I am not asking if we should be doing this - we are well aware of the consequences of getting caught.

What I want to know is how likely it is to get caught if we keep silent about it?

ps: I should note she isn't just working from boredom. I mean, even though I meet the requirements to support us without claiming she makes any income, every dollar earned helps us plan for our future and enjoy our lives together without getting too stressed about bills. It's important that she works - and unlikely we will stop now. She has a dream job, with great people, and she is setting up her future career.

I simply need to know if anyone has been in the same situation, or if anyone has been caught, or if you guys had any info on what kind of ways the gov't can catch you?

Thanks

 

[canadiangirl78]

No one is going to give you advice on how to do it.

 

[JimM]

I appreciate everyone's advice - but I don't think anyone is really addressing the question.

I am not asking if we should be doing this - we are well aware of the consequences of getting caught.

What I want to know is how likely it is to get caught if we keep silent about it?

ps: I should note she isn't just working from boredom. I mean, even though I meet the requirements to support us without claiming she makes any income, every dollar earned helps us plan for our future and enjoy our lives together without getting too stressed about bills. It's important that she works - and unlikely we will stop now. She has a dream job, with great people, and she is setting up her future career.

I simply need to know if anyone has been in the same situation, or if anyone has been caught, or if you guys had any info on what kind of ways the gov't can catch you?

Thanks

My wife and I considered it, (one of her friends offered me a position off the books), but we decided against it. It's not even a matter of the government finding out on it's own, it's somebody else finding out and turning you in. All it takes is one coworker jealous of a raise or assignment she gets, or somebody outside of the company who doesn't like her or is very anti immigrant or illegal immigrant/worker to screw you over completely.

And of course some people go years without getting caught. It's a gamble, how lucky do you feel?

 

[Fencesitter]

Jim M is correct. It's not the government you need to be concerned about, it's an individual or her employer. If she rubs someone the wrong way, a phone call to immigration would ruin your life. Don't take that risk, as there are many a$$holes who would report her for working illegally. She is also putting her employer at risk, because immigration would be sure to punish them for knowingly employing someone illegally.

Your best bet is to stop breaking the law.

FS

 

[amira_mais]

Jim M is correct. It's not the government you need to be concerned about, it's an individual or her employer. If she rubs someone the wrong way, a phone call to immigration would ruin your life. Don't take that risk, as there are many a$$holes who would report her for working illegally. She is also putting her employer at risk, because immigration would be sure to punish them for knowingly employing someone illegally.

Your best bet is to stop breaking the law.

FS

Agreed with your whole post except this: "there are many a$$holes who would report her for working illegally" ... you don't really mean that illegal employment is always okay, do you? Perhaps yes if the person was desperate, but that's not the case here. If businesses could hire foreigners willy nilly, what kind of impact would that have on Canadians?

 

[stevelo]

Agree with FS... you would have to evaluate the probability of everyone who knows the truth about the situation. Will they keep quiet, will they leverage the situation and put her at a disadvantage, be A-holes and report just because they feel like ruining your day (I have heard of this happening; it is reality not soap opera).

0.0001% failure rate for a few hundred/thousand? how important is she to you anyway?

 

[DCGelfling]

She has a dream job, with great people, and she is setting up her future career.

I wonder how much that last part is true. Will future employers be able to do the math and see that she was working illegally at her current job, and if so, will they care? I mean, maybe they won't be able to tell or maybe they won't care, and everything will be fine.

If it isn't fine, though, will the current benefits still be worth the risks?

 

[Fencesitter]

Agreed with your whole post except this: "there are many a$$holes who would report her for working illegally" ... you don't really mean that illegal employment is always okay, do you? Perhaps yes if the person was desperate, but that's not the case here. If businesses could hire foreigners willy nilly, what kind of impact would that have on Canadians?

I just meant there are many people who would report an illegal worker.

For me, I think it would drive me crazy knowing that I could get reported at any time. You can't trust people with something like this, unless they are family. You leave yourself wide open and exposed. Eventually, just like with stealing, you'll eventually get caught. Think of the consequences, as this is nothing like a 13 year old stealing a pack of smokes...there won't be a slap on the wrist...there will be serious, life changing consequences. Your employer is actually kind of stupid to be employing an illegal worker. They also are wide open and exposed...the lives of many could be affected by something like this, and I for one don't want that on my conscience.

FS

 

[parker24]

I just meant there are many people who would report an illegal worker.

For me, I think it would drive me crazy knowing that I could get reported at any time. You can't trust people with something like this, unless they are family. You leave yourself wide open and exposed. Eventually, just like with stealing, you'll eventually get caught. Think of the consequences, as this is nothing like a 13 year old stealing a pack of smokes...there won't be a slap on the wrist...there will be serious, life changing consequences. Your employer is actually kind of stupid to be employing an illegal worker. They also are wide open and exposed...the lives of many could be affected by something like this, and I for one don't want that on my conscience.

FS

Even family can report you if you piss them off enough. No one would advise anyone to do something illegal. So the question OP is asking is moot.