working 'under the table'

Have any of you Canadians in the UK ever worked 'under the table'. In London on a fiance visa and can't work and quite frustrated. I would be willing to take bar work, but obviously would want some kind of reassurance that I would be 'turned in'.

Any experiences? Advice?



Thanks.

I would not advice to do this,think of the consequences if they found out.They will probably refuse any type of visa if you want to stay longer (wife visa).They will not let you back in the country too (if they find out).Is it worth the risks?

I would not advice to do this,think of the consequences if they found out.They will probably refuse any type of visa if you want to stay longer (wife visa).They will not let you back in the country too (if they find out).Is it worth the risks?

That is a good point, although I would think the risk of a cash in hand job at a bar/resturaunt would be exceptionally low.

If it's about needing some extra dosh, well maybe it's worth a risk, if it's more about finding something to do, why not look into some volunteer work? I am sure there would be charities, museums, etc. tripping over themselves for free labour. .

volunteer work is also forbidden! i figured if i was going to take a risk, I might as well get paid for it.

i guess that is my question -- are these mythical service industry jobs that give cash in hand really low risk. You hear about it -- but is it an urban legend?

Hang on, volunteer work is forbidden? That doesn't make any sense.



I can see no gainful employment but no volunteering? How would they know?

That certainly would be safer than a cash in hand job.

I am not sure how the cash in hand bar jobs work. I guess the best way to go about it would be to head into a bar just as they open, so they aren't busy and ask the bartender. not like he will call the Home Office.

Anywho, good luck with it. hope you work something out. wow I am glad when I was made redundant and lost my work permit my fiancee and I just moved up our wedding date.

Not working for 6 months sucks!

You are worrying too much. There are many people working cash in hand around London and elsewhere in the UK. How would anybody find out?

There are many jobs that are willing to pay you 'under the table'.
and while the risk might not seem very bad, the repercussions are quite extreme in the UK.
if you are in the UK visiting or under a visa where you are not allowed to work, you can be deported and be refused entry for the next 10 years.
They are definitely cracking down on illegal working, with the implementation of foreign national ID cards, which employers and banks are beginning to require.

you aren't allowed to volunteer with a registered charity or charitable trust for the same reason as above. a little stringent but... thats the way of it.

a cash in hand job is entirely upon your discretion. they are available, but its you that will be affected.