Volunteering

[journeycc 0]

Hello,

 

Is it possible for an individual going through AOS to volunteer at a church? Because the EAD has not yet arrived, I was wondering if it would be OK to volunteer but how can one make sure that it fully counts as volunteering. Obviously it will be unpaid but are there any other requirements? I read somewhere it can't be a resume builder. Well, this is somewhat vague and open to interpretation. How can I make sure that it's a "bonafide" volunteering?  

 

Thanks!

[Michelle13 39]

You are free to do anything that doesn't receive payment.  Volunteering is fine. 

[journeycc 0]

Do you have a source for this? Because others have told me it must be at a non-profit organization. It can't be an unpaid internship, for example.

Edited December 11, 2017 by journeycc

[Lili08 49]

I volunteer in a non-profit and I've seen other member from visajourney to do that. You won't be receiving any payment so it's fine. When I have my interview I'll just have them write a letter for me saying I was a volunteer in their organization 

[journeycc 0]

43 minutes ago, Lili08 said:

I volunteer in a non-profit and I've seen other member from visajourney to do that. You won't be receiving any payment so it's fine. When I have my interview I'll just have them write a letter for me saying I was a volunteer in their organization 

Thanks, but what if volunteering would be at a private institution that is not non-profit? I read somewhere it can't be a "resume builder". I really wish there was something official other than hearsay. 

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

 You can't do anything that would magically become paid when you are authorized.  It also can't be a position that is normally paid , especially in your career field  

[journeycc 0]

1 hour ago, NigeriaorBust said:

 You can't do anything that would magically become paid when you are authorized.  It also can't be a position that is normally paid , especially in your career field  

Thanks, source?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

 Google is your friend

[geowrian 22,336]

@NigeriaorBust is correct. Payment is not the issue. Payment would be a strong sign that it is work, but unpaid work / volunteering can be work as well. As a general rule, if you may be displacing a US worker, then it's considered unauthorized work for immigration purposes.

Working at a soup kitchen would fine...you aren't potentially taking a job from somebody else. Being an unpaid intern or receptionist likely would be considered work as normally those positions are filled by workers (either in compensation for work experience, or via direct compensation).

 

As for the OP's situation, there's not enough information to make a good guess, but the nature of it sounds like it would not be displacing a worker (assuming it's like singing in the choir or helping with mass / prep or whatever, and not something like construction).

Edited December 12, 2017 by geowrian