Volunteering on a Tourist Visa

[MissDobalina 0]

Heya, I apologise if my questions seem blindingly obvious, but I'm struggling through the visa process and I need some guidance, thank you so much in advance for reading. <3

I'm a UK citizen looking to spend my gap year in America before I start university - I met an American while he was on holiday here, and we hit it off, and I want to spend time with him making sure that it is what I think it is! I've applied for a B1 Tourist visa, and I have an interview at the US embassy in London scheduled for two weeks' time. I have my university place that gives me reason to come back home, and my boyfriend would provide the ''sufficient funds required'', so I hope that border control won't deny my application.

What I'm really struggling with is how I'm going to fill my time while I'm there without getting deported - I obviously can't get any paid work, and it seems that volunteering is really frowned upon in case it might earn me some money! Would I be allowed to volunteer (as long as it was for a charitable organisation), and do I have to prove that I'll be doing more travelling than working? What I'd really like is to set up something long term that would look good on my CV, so that I can really make the most of my year abroad, but all that I've been reading seems contradictory - does anyone know if there are any official guidelines on what volunteering is allowed as part of a tourist visa?

Thank you so much, and again, I'm sorry if my questions seem daft!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can't volunteer for anything that would be paid under any other circumstance, so you are restricted to charitable organizations with jobs that are always volunteer.

But, a b2 only gives you 6 months so you won't be able to stay here the whole year. Plus your expenses are going to be paid by another person ( a boyfriend type) so I have doubts about your chances for the visa.

Have you looked into a J1?

[ricnally 258]

You're not allowed to volunteer for anything that someone--anyone-- MIGHT get paid for. That prohibits just about everything. For example, grandparents coming from abroad to help with a new baby might be denied at the border if they were to say that's what they're doing, because the new parents COULD be paying an American to do that work. A visitor is not even supposed to mow someone's lawn or help out with a home reno. I stayed with my fiancé for several months at-a-time, and it was sometimes boring, but I just did sightseeing and hanging out in my soon-to-be new city, getting to know it.

[KierenHby 899]

Is this American guy your boyfriend?

Getting a B2 visa from VWP nations is very difficult; takes a satisfactory response to "..What do you expect to accomplish in 180 days that you cannot accomplish in 90 days?.." to be successful. Visitor visas are for short, temporary visits to the United States using existing funds.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I think you would be better off using VWP to spend time with the BF. A promise of going to Uni next year is weak. If you owned a home, had a job, or other responsibilities to return to then maybe. Or if you had documentation you needed specialized surgery only the US could provide and 6 months care. You don't have ties or a good reason for six months.

When your visa is denied, then you are ineligible for VWP so be careful about giving up that privilege.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

I agree you may want to consider withdrawing your tourist visa app. Look at it this way- the tourist visa, IF approvd, gives you 6 months in the USA within your gap year. The VWP can give you x2 90 days, almost the same.

[az2014 381]

You made a big mistake applying for a B visa. You can already use the VWP to stay 90 days. Applying for a B just because you want to stay 6 months instead is not a good reason.

When you get your B denied make sure you update your ESTA answers to say you have had a visa denial.

[JFH 12,190]

A J1 visa would be much better and would also look better on your CV as it is structured and recognised. As it stands, with a B2 (if you get it, and your chances are not great) you would be left with just casual helping out at a shelter or something on an "as and when" basis. One night a week in a soup kitchen, the odd weekend at an animal shelter, that sort of thing. It will be very haphazard. You will be doing things like cleaning. It's not really going to do your CV that much good that it's worth it. Aside from the fact that you could that sort of volunteering in this country. What's to be gained doing it in the USA apart from nights out with your boyfriend?

Edited August 22, 2016 by JFH

[Boiler 45,670]

B is unlikely so the rest is moot.

[Maria2012 16]

you can volunteer at a food bank, or an animal shelter.

[Californiansunset 336]

I am from a visa waiver country (Germany) and obtained a B1 visa to volunteer. I had a letter from the nonprofit describing the laws that I wouldn't be gathering donations or solicitation and describing what I would be doing there. In addition I provided a bank statement that I had enough money but had an official letter of my father that he would make sure I would have at least 700USD a month available (it was a form I got from the German American Chamber of Commerce) too in case the bank statement wasn't sufficient. In addition I had a letter from my employer in Germany where I was working as a student that they gave me a sabbatical but expect me to return at a certain date and I had a letter from my university that I would have to return home in order to finish my studies. I wasn't asked for the last two documents but I remember that I was asked why I need to return home so I said for my studying.

I had no problem at all getting the visa.

[Californiansunset 336]

Oh and I stayed almost 9 months (successful B1 visa extension) and absolutely loved my time at the nonprofit. Since they always need a lot of iterns or volunteers I helped 3 other people to volunteer there for couple months. Two Germans and one Dutch. The Dutch girl wasn't even studying but she still got the B1/B2 visa to come to the U.S.

It's definitely not impossible to get a B1 visa to volunteer if you are well prepared.

[devonydan 5]

On 8/23/2016 at 11:20 AM, Californiansunset said:

Oh and I stayed almost 9 months (successful B1 visa extension) and absolutely loved my time at the nonprofit. Since they always need a lot of iterns or volunteers I helped 3 other people to volunteer there for couple months. Two Germans and one Dutch. The Dutch girl wasn't even studying but she still got the B1/B2 visa to come to the U.S.

It's definitely not impossible to get a B1 visa to volunteer if you are well prepared.

What kind of nonprofit did you volunteer with?  Am looking for some sort of volunteer opportunities for my girlfriend who is going to visit me in Chicago for a couple months.  Thanks!

[randomstairs 304]

You can volunteer for any organization that has positions, in which you would participate, open only to volunteers. Also it should probably not be an internship position. Beside charities there are a number of interesting organizations, from museums to urban gardens, where you can help. See https://www.volunteermatch.org It's a good idea to know the organization before you apply for the visa and make sure to document it. It is a perfectly acceptable endeavor on a B1/2 visa.      

Edited July 18, 2018 by randomstairs