I'm here on a dependent visa and after 2 years I was offered a good part-time opportunity. I applied for the "Permission to Engage in Activities" at immigration and my employer was fine to wait for this approval. I got my postcard from immigration at the end of August, telling me to return to immigration on 1st September, so I accepted the part-time role and told my employer I could start on 2nd September. All good.
My company paid me a 'Welcome Bonus" – equivalent to $500 – into my bank account at the end of August, once I had accepted the role. This bonus wasn't in my contract and I was surprised, but was told they did it for all new starters and I didn't think anything of it.
However, we are now thinking of applying for PR as a family and an immigration lawyer asked me about my salary, start date, taxes etc, and if I had the correct permission to work part-time. I had the permission and started my job once this was approved, but I'm concerned the 'Welcome Bonus' might be seen as working before I had the required approval. I didn't mention this to the lawyer we spoke to, but will do once decide if we will apply for PR, but I don't want to start the process if this is a stumbling block, especially given the timelines in Tokyo.
Could something like this be a problem, and is there even a way it would be found out? Thanks!
by Connect-Ground-913