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Google Adsense Count as Work?

tynoxes

Star Member
Apr 10, 2013
73
1
Category........
Visa Office......
Vegreville
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
09-12-2013
AOR Received.
05-01-2014
Med's Request
02-04-2015
Med's Done....
11-04-2015
LANDED..........
14-05-2015
Greetings all! :D

I recently got the option to monetize some of my YouTube videos and this triggered the question and curiosity in the matter of what count as work, especially when it is something like this on the internet.
Since I applied for spousal sponsorship with an open work permit and waiting a response, I am not allowed to work in Canada.

For those that do not know Google Adsense, it basically allows you to apply adds to your videos on YouTube or on your website, and in turn you get a share of the revenue... it is not much (depending on how much views the adds get), but it is money.

So would this count as working?

On the topic of that, what about web development or designing stuff for people over the internet from across the world. How would that apply?

Thanks
 

user828

VIP Member
Apr 2, 2012
3,434
81
Vancouver
Category........
Visa Office......
New Delhi ( Parents Sponsorship )
App. Filed.......
19-10-2017
AOR Received.
01-12-2017
Its advertising revenue..I know its petty amount but not sure how it would constitute real work. I thought they shut adsense btw..I made around 2k 7 years ago
 

tynoxes

Star Member
Apr 10, 2013
73
1
Category........
Visa Office......
Vegreville
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
09-12-2013
AOR Received.
05-01-2014
Med's Request
02-04-2015
Med's Done....
11-04-2015
LANDED..........
14-05-2015
user828 said:
Its advertising revenue..I know its petty amount but not sure how it would constitute real work. I thought they shut adsense btw..I made around 2k 7 years ago
Not really sure how it would constitute real work either...
Especially with the internet connecting people around the world... you can be designing a logo for someone across the world, or voice act for an indie film being filmed somewhere in a desert hahaha

Would be interesting to hear if anyone else have information about this.
 

Smsm81

Hero Member
Oct 24, 2012
298
7
I remember I once read that ,someone call CIC to inquire about online working from companies located outside Canada. this person was told , it is ok to work and receive money for that.
I cant confirm neither I have the thread link
 

BeShoo

Champion Member
Jan 16, 2010
1,212
36
Gatineau
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-01-2014
AOR Received.
28-02-2014
File Transfer...
03-03-2014
Med's Request
19-06-2014
Med's Done....
07-08-2014
Interview........
None
VISA ISSUED...
02-04-2015
LANDED..........
13-04-2015
You are allowed to work remotely on a computer for a foreign company, but the scenario you mention is actually a bit of a grey area to tell the truth, since you are sort of working "in cyberspace" rather than in Canada. I think the main test to be applied is whether the job could have been done by a Canadian if you were not in Canada, but I don't think your "job" is actually "in Canada."
 

corbs

Star Member
Jan 15, 2014
121
8
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
18-03-2013
AOR Received.
02-04-2013
Med's Done....
20-12-2013
Yeah it's a strange area. If the money is being paid into an account your old country then I can't see how it's a problem.
 

Rob_TO

VIP Member
Nov 7, 2012
11,427
1,551
Toronto
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Seoul, Korea
App. Filed.......
13-07-2012
AOR Received.
18-08-2012
File Transfer...
21-08-2012
Med's Done....
Sent with App
Passport Req..
N/R - Exempt
VISA ISSUED...
30-10-2012
LANDED..........
16-11-2012
In general, any payment coming from a source OUTSIDE Canada, is fine. So being paid by Google from the USA is fine... while being paid by a Canadian division of Google would not be allowed.
Also it's probably better if direct payments are made to a foreign bank account, but not sure if this is necessary.
 

tynoxes

Star Member
Apr 10, 2013
73
1
Category........
Visa Office......
Vegreville
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
09-12-2013
AOR Received.
05-01-2014
Med's Request
02-04-2015
Med's Done....
11-04-2015
LANDED..........
14-05-2015
Thanks for the replies so far everyone :D

I disabled all Adsense stuff though, as I am not willing to risk it.
Seems like it is a very grey area where a lot of factors comes into play. :eek:
 

charliem

Hero Member
Jul 26, 2013
351
74
Category........
Visa Office......
Vegreville
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
27-09-2013
Doc's Request.
17-10-2013
AOR Received.
18-10-2013
File Transfer...
March 2014
Med's Request
March 2, 2015. AIP received same day
Med's Done....
March 3, 2015.
Interview........
"Decision made": 1 April 2015
'Work in Canada' constitutes employment by a Canada-based company or individual, wherein that work would be available for Canadian residents to apply and do.

There is no rule forbidding working for or getting paid by an individual outside Canada. I have an app in the iPhone store and receive money Apple in the US. Friends back in Africa subcontract me to do their work and I get paid. I also represent an international firm in Canada and receive wire transfer payments. That job would ordinarily not be available to people in Canada.

I hope that helps.
 

Lg_001

Newbie
Jul 26, 2021
2
0
Same problem here. I am on a visitor visa, and want to earn some money using Adsense. My view, Adsense is not really employing you with a contract or anything. It is really a grey area. Anyone with a definite answer that could help? Thanks
 

Phalos

Champion Member
Jun 19, 2020
2,566
1,293
Same problem here. I am on a visitor visa, and want to earn some money using Adsense. My view, Adsense is not really employing you with a contract or anything. It is really a grey area. Anyone with a definite answer that could help? Thanks
Bottom line is, if whomever you did work for reports paying you to Revenue Canada, then you're on the hook for breaking Visa conditions. Mowing your neighbor's lawn for $20 cash will not affect anything.
You would have to ask Google whether they report it and to which country.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
52,969
12,768
Bottom line is, if whomever you did work for reports paying you to Revenue Canada, then you're on the hook for breaking Visa conditions. Mowing your neighbor's lawn for $20 cash will not affect anything.
You would have to ask Google whether they report it and to which country.
Mowing a lawn for $20 cqn still cause you lots of problems and is still illegal work.
 
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canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
52,969
12,768
Same problem here. I am on a visitor visa, and want to earn some money using Adsense. My view, Adsense is not really employing you with a contract or anything. It is really a grey area. Anyone with a definite answer that could help? Thanks
Check with a lawyer. How long you remain in Canada and whether you have a current Youtuber company already established in another country will be factors.