Inj2009

Hi,

Please does anyone know about visas for doing voluntary work or an internship (completely unpaid work for a charity or NGO) in the US? Do I need a special visa or can I do that on a tourist visa (visa waiver)? What if I am already in the US on a tourist visa (or visa waiver) but want to do some voluntary work? Do I have to go home, get a visa, then come back?

Right now I am in the US (visa waiver programme), returning to the UK this week. I want to return to the US in July. Am I going to have problems after a 5 or 6 week visit home? Should I apply for a six-month US tourist visa or return via the visa waiver?

Thank you

ian-mstm

There's a big difference between "voluntary work" and "volunteering". You can not do *any* work - even unpaid work - if someone might otherwise be paid for doing that work. Also, you can *not* receive any benefit whatsoever for volunteering (no food, no shelter, no coupons... nothing at all).


There's also a big difference between "voluntary work" and an "internship".

So... which are you doing? If you can be more precise about what you''ll actually be doing, you'll probably get a better response.

Ian

Noorah101

General rule of thumb is to stay out of the USA longer than you were in it.

Unless you are of retirement age, it will probably be very difficult to be a tourist visa.

Rene

crg

We'd need some additional information about the entity that you'd be working with.

Some internships require a J-1.

Under limited circumstances a foreign visitor can volunteer without a work visa, but there are very specific criteria.

Without knowing what you'd be doing, we can't begin to tell if you can do it as a tourist.

Also, how much time do you spend in the US? What have you been up to in the US for so long? Why must you volunteer in the US? What's the rest of the story?

meauxna

Reading the OP's past thread will reveal much.. he probably did not know he should include SOME information for people here.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=610507

I would say: be cautious, Inj2009.

crg

Ouch. What a mess. I'm not touching this one with a 10ft pole.

Inj2009

Thanks for the responses. Sorry if I was vague. I’m really not sure about what kind of voluntary work / internship. It was just an idea of something to look in to. I hope to come back to the US for a few months, I’ll have some spare time, so I may as well put it to good use and gain a little extra experience at the same time (not to mention getting out a bit more and meeting people, for the sake of my sanity). Anyway, I think I've given up on the whole idea. More hassle than it's worth.
On the one hand vague, but on the other hand, am I stating too much? Meauxna wrote that I probably did not know that I should include “SOME” information? Why the “be cautious” warning? I mean, I’m sure it makes sense, but maybe I’m reading not enough or too much into it.

meauxna

Use caution because you have long term aspirations for living in the US, and you don't want to do something to satisfy the short-term desire to be in the US that will conflict with your long range plan. Illegal work could be one of those things.

Inj2009

Oh, I see. Thanks, Meauxna, for clarifying. You're absolutely right. I was aware that this area is rather a grey area, hence wanting to go about it the right (and legal) way with the appropriate visa if necessary. So I think that rather than risk anything I'll just give up on that plan altogether.

adiestubbs

I plan to do some volunteer work in Florida for two weeks. This basically involves be-friending a person suffering from mental illness ( I am a mental health nurse in Australia) and giving a short presentation to the other volunteers there. I am paying for my own hotel, flights, car hire etc etc.

Could I just enter on the VWP?

many thanks

Adrian

Bob

presentation would be fine, helping a person out would not...

crg

It depends. Volunteering for some activities is permitted if it benefits the community at large. How did this person get selected for the befriending? What kind of organization is organizing it?

Bob

looking after your grand kids or nursing a family member isn't though...

crg

Exactly.

adiestubbs

Thanks for the reply.

Its called Compeer and, I quote, is an "organization that helps adults and children overcome the devastating effects of mental illness, such as loneliness, isolation and low self-esteem – through the power of friendship. Our volunteer-based programs and services, which serve as a complement to therapy, provide supportive friendships for people in mental-health care – helping them on their recovery journey".

What do you think?

Adrian