Hiya, I hope that this is the correct section of the forums to put this question. We recently got the NOA2, and so my mind is starting to think more about life when I get to the States. My understanding is that I will not be able to work for about 2-3 months or so after we get married (until I get the EAD, correct me if this is wrong though!). However, ideally I would like to volunteer or intern (ie unpaid) with a charity or similar organisation in this time before I receive the EAD - I already work in the charity sector in the UK and want to carry on doing so in the USA, so I may get professional contacts, plus it will stop me getting bored. Does anybody know if this would be a problem? Also, is it possible to start applying for jobs before the EAD is received, making clear that it is in the process of being applied for, or is this just wishful thinking? Apologies if these questions have been asked before, if so I would be hugely grateful if you could point me in the direction of the relevant threads. As you may be able to tell, getting decent work is one of my major concerns about moving!!
Many thanks,
David

This is a very common question.

The answer is yes, as long as it is not considered to be paid employment.

Ultimately it is the employer's responsibility to confirm and verify that you are authorized to work for pay.

You may want to fill in profile details, you "Filed for: K-1" not N/A http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...rCP&CODE=01

Many thanks, that is what I thought but it is a relief to be certain.

David
P.S Profile amended - thanks for the heads-up

One other note: You are entering the USA on a K-1 visa. K-1 is a work auth visa, and if you enter the USA at certain Ports of Entry like JFK you may get an EAD stamp that will allow legally work for 90 days after entry, after that an you will need EAD card or green-card to work.

Keep in mind: K-1 is not a work visa, it is a fiancee visa for entry to the USA and marriage, K-1 is "Work Auth" primarily to be able to get the SSN, some states are strict in their interpretation of a federal law that requires persons applying for a "license" to have SSN, this can cause a problem with marriage license if only one person has SSN and the other (the K-1 holder) does not.

This is what I can say about working as a volunteer: I am an HR administrator for a research department at a university, and frequently am asked if a spouse of one of our J-1 or H1-b visa holders can volunteer to work in a lab (since many spouses are in the same field) - the answer from our International Services Office is that the only type of volunteer work that such visa holders can do is a position that is normally a volunteer position - such as working for a non-profit (community service, churches, hospitals, cultural organizations, etc). They are not permitted to work in a position that is typically a paid position, i.e., in our labs.

Now - specific to your question, if you would be seeking a *paid* position at a non-profit, I don't think you would be able to get such a position until after you receive your EAD. However, making some contacts through volunteering in, say, the office of an organization in your field, would be extremely useful.

Good luck!

This is what I can say about working as a volunteer: I am an HR administrator for a research department at a university, and frequently am asked if a spouse of one of our J-1 or H1-b visa holders can volunteer to work in a lab (since many spouses are in the same field) - the answer from our International Services Office is that the only type of volunteer work that such visa holders can do is a position that is normally a volunteer position - such as working for a non-profit (community service, churches, hospitals, cultural organizations, etc). They are not permitted to work in a position that is typically a paid position, i.e., in our labs.

Now - specific to your question, if you would be seeking a *paid* position at a non-profit, I don't think you would be able to get such a position until after you receive your EAD. However, making some contacts through volunteering in, say, the office of an organization in your field, would be extremely useful.

Good luck!
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That is really useful, thank you. My plan is to volunteer/intern without pay (and making sure that it is not in a role which effectively substitutes for paid staff), and then as soon as I get my EAD to apply for everything possible and hope that somebody likes me!

Sounds like a plan! If social services is the field in which you worked previously, you might want to check United Way for your locale, they would at least have a listing of organizations.