B1 visa for volunteer work requirements

[angelma 0]

Hey everyone!

I am having some questions about applying for a B1 to use for volunteer work,

I am connected to a yoga community that teaches for troubles youngsters and most of it is volunteer work they are currently seeking volunteers for the work they are doing, I am a qualified kids and adult yoga teacher and could imagine to parttake in this volunteer work?

What would be the requirements for receiving such a visa besides a letter from the organisation and so on.

Do I have to have ties to the country of birth as for the last 6-7 years I have lived abroad in another European country..

I could imagine to volunteer for 6 months to a year, possibly..

I have been in the US 12 days Feb 08,

5-6 weeks Summer 08,

90 days Fall 08...

Canafa between the summer and fall stay..

and did the mistake of deciding to visit friends in Canada for the xmas and new year of 08 which the border officer at the Vancouver border didn't agree to and I was sent back to the US and got 1, 5 day overstay due to this.

Flew to Mex from there as plan was to visit Mex, and then had a return from San Fran Feb 09, but got denied entry Jan 09 and sent bk to London., had bad luck.

Now This isn't the best history to have in terms if US immi and can't use VWP again, not even for a visit.

So therefore I do need a visa now.

Do you know though if one needs a certain amount of ties in the country of birth or another country on order to receive a B1 visa?

I believe one do. But can this be in a third country if the main residency is there? I might even be flying from there to The US ..i don't feel moving to my country of birth again for a few years to come for a variety of reasons, but I guess i would still need to apply from there? Or from the third country?

I would be traveling with my son too , so he would need a B1 as well..

Thanks so much for your answers and I hope to receive answers in a respectful manner..

Blessings and Love!

[RhettVoe 282]

With rare exceptions, one cannot even do volunteer work in the US with a B1 visa...the conditions under which such labor can be performed do NOT include teaching yoga, for example....domestic employees, certain religious workers (and sorry, but yoga is not religion) and Basque sheepherders can do things that would be considered work....and with your current immigration/visa abuse history, plus thinking about applying from a third country, well, Namaste....

[angelma 0]

This organization is a non profit organization offering yoga to the public. I can apply from country of both but don't live there so wont be able to prove any ties there just to other country....

the past happenings are years ago now, and not the worst. There are some who overstay years or months.

[Boiler 45,670]

You would need a work visa.

What about your son?

[angelma 0]

My son would join, could he get a visa as a dependent? what sort of work visa? thanks for reply

[Boiler 45,670]

It would be up to the Yoga Community and their Lawyers to decide which would be the appropriate one.

I can think of several that might fit but it is not my or your say.

Edited February 27, 2014 by Boiler

[angelma 0]

Thanks for reply

[MacUK 983]

the past happenings are years ago now, and not the worst. There are some who overstay years or months.

My 'past happenings' were over a decade ago. Still affects me now.

Going by your timeline, it looks like you were attempting to play the system by nipping out to Canada and Mexico to reset the clock on your VWP. Not a dig, just saying how an outsider might look at it.

[angelma 0]

My 'past happenings' were over a decade ago. Still affects me now.

Going by your timeline, it looks like you were attempting to play the system by nipping out to Canada and Mexico to reset the clock on your VWP. Not a dig, just saying how an outsider might look at it.

Yes, its not easy US rules..

I didn't know how stricht it was at that time Now I can't visit. I wanted tor return at that time due to my boyfriend and love. I guess ths happens to many people, but there is not space for this in the system there-. over 180 days overstay gives 3 year ban and over a year overstay goves 10 year ban, I had 1,5 day which doesn't give a certain timeline.

But can apply for B1 or B2 and be lucky if I do get it.. U hope I do so I can visit.

[RhettVoe 282]

As I said before, most volunteer work is NOT allowed with a B1 visa...any activity that would/could be done by an American citizen or LPR for pay is considered work...there are umpteen thousands of yoga teachers in the US...they would be mighty annoyed to have you arrive to teach for free....thus, doing same on a B1 visa is prohibited...now, if you wanted to prospect for yoga students for your yoga studio in your own country (in which said teaching would take place), no problem...(and likely, no takers)....these rules are in place to protect the American workers, and trying to avoid following those rules by having your organization try to fabricate a letter that attempts to hide the true facts is not what I would call ethical.......so, a B1 is out...as is an H1B (since teaching yoga does not require a college degree)...I doubt there is a specific visa that would allow you to carry out this volunteer teaching.

[Boiler 45,670]

You never know what a Lawyer with all the facts might come up with, it will not be a B.

[RhettVoe 282]

Immigration attorneys don't deal in facts....only ways to create the illusion of facts....I am not sure which 'profession' is more ethically challenged....(a) immigration attorneys or (b) TV evangelists.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Immigration attorneys don't deal in facts....only ways to create the illusion of facts....I am not sure which 'profession' is more ethically challenged....(a) immigration attorneys or (b) TV evangelists.

The immigration attorney child of a preacher man with aspirations to be an elected official.

[RhettVoe 282]

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