Here's the story as briefly put as I can;
When I was finishing my Mechanical Technologist diploma I was only taking one class in my last semester. My college needed someone for a job as a TA and I was hired and only worked no more than 20hrs a week. I thought I was good. I only started working above that when my PGWP came in. I have been in the same position since then, paid my taxes, done it all through my SIN, ect.
I am now about to start my PR process as my PGWP comes to an end. I have been offered a full time contract and I am eligible for Express Entry Nominations and Express entry profile. Only now have I realized through the application process that I wasn't supposed to be working during that time due to my part time studies, even though i worked part time and it was on campus. None of this was under the table (again, all taxed and 'legal' otherwise) and I even spoke to a CIC official during that time while I was applying for my work visa and they never commented on my situation. It's been about three years since and I have never had an issue.
I am now extremely worried that this mistake I unknowingly made years ago is now going to make me illegible to stay in the country despite my other good credentials. I am not going to hide anything from the government as I don't think that would help in any way, but what should I do then? Should I write in the EE application I worked illegally? Would a letter of explanation be considered? Can a mistake like this be excusable? Should I get a lawyer? any help would be greatly appreciated.
EDIT: I should point out that at the time I did have a valid work permit for a coop that stated my educational institution (which I was working for) as my employer. Only issue is that I ended up not formally doing the job as a Co-op
When I was finishing my Mechanical Technologist diploma I was only taking one class in my last semester. My college needed someone for a job as a TA and I was hired and only worked no more than 20hrs a week. I thought I was good. I only started working above that when my PGWP came in. I have been in the same position since then, paid my taxes, done it all through my SIN, ect.
I am now about to start my PR process as my PGWP comes to an end. I have been offered a full time contract and I am eligible for Express Entry Nominations and Express entry profile. Only now have I realized through the application process that I wasn't supposed to be working during that time due to my part time studies, even though i worked part time and it was on campus. None of this was under the table (again, all taxed and 'legal' otherwise) and I even spoke to a CIC official during that time while I was applying for my work visa and they never commented on my situation. It's been about three years since and I have never had an issue.
I am now extremely worried that this mistake I unknowingly made years ago is now going to make me illegible to stay in the country despite my other good credentials. I am not going to hide anything from the government as I don't think that would help in any way, but what should I do then? Should I write in the EE application I worked illegally? Would a letter of explanation be considered? Can a mistake like this be excusable? Should I get a lawyer? any help would be greatly appreciated.
EDIT: I should point out that at the time I did have a valid work permit for a coop that stated my educational institution (which I was working for) as my employer. Only issue is that I ended up not formally doing the job as a Co-op
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