Can I apply to be in Intern/volunteer without EAD?

[TransplantUSA 167]

Hi everyone, 

 

I entered the US on a K1 visa about 2 weeks ago, I'm not married yet (2 weeks to go! so no EAD/AOS yet) but I've found 2 opportunities that I wouldn't mind doing until I am able to work officially. They're both Intern work in my local area. I've google searched and come up with a lot of conflicting information about whether they'd see it as me working, so wanted to see if anyone has a definitive answer. Any good websites to read/USCIS information?

 

Thanks in advance!

Emily.

[geowrian 22,336]

You can apply, sure. But you cannot engage in any form of employment until you have an EAD. Whether it is paid or unpaid doesn't matter. An internship would most likely qualify as unpaid employment, and therefore not permitted. Basically, any activity that reasonably displaces a US worker likely crosses the line.

 

Volunteering at a soup kitchen, litter pickup, etc. would be permitted as those activities do not displace a US worker.

[TransplantUSA 167]

11 minutes ago, geowrian said:

You can apply, sure. But you cannot engage in any form of employment until you have an EAD. Whether it is paid or unpaid doesn't matter. An internship would most likely qualify as unpaid employment, and therefore not permitted. Basically, any activity that reasonably displaces a US worker likely crosses the line.

 

Volunteering at a soup kitchen, litter pickup, etc. would be permitted as those activities do not displace a US worker.

Thank you so much for your response. I'm a little gutted as the internship would have been ideal for my profession, but I respect the law.

I have found many volunteer opportunities at volunteermatch.com - 4 hours at a hospice on the phones, 4 hours at the library shelving books so I will opt for those! 

[geowrian 22,336]

Love the attitude! Best wishes, and congrats on the soon-to-be marriage.

[Teemo 252]

52 minutes ago, emylady said:

Hi everyone, 

 

I entered the US on a K1 visa about 2 weeks ago, I'm not married yet (2 weeks to go! so no EAD/AOS yet) but I've found 2 opportunities that I wouldn't mind doing until I am able to work officially. They're both Intern work in my local area. I've google searched and come up with a lot of conflicting information about whether they'd see it as me working, so wanted to see if anyone has a definitive answer. Any good websites to read/USCIS information?

 

Thanks in advance!

Emily.

Everything @geowrian said is correct, yet he is (purposefully, with good intentions, I believe) leaving information out. Check a previous thread I posted on for a more fulsome answer. Note: Nothing I said should be construed as condoning or encouraging unauthorized employment. I stuck to laying out simple facts and you can draw your own conclusion. 

 

 

 

Edited May 29, 2018 by Teemo

[pajobra 1,395]

I volunteered at the local library here sorting donations for their used book store.  I still volunteer with them actually.  

[June2018 3]

I am a business owner and filed AOS for my spouse, no EAD yet.

 

I asked my lawyer same question, can my spouse help out "volunteer" at the business while waiting for EAD.

 

My lawyer stated yes, as long as my spouse is not compensated. I replied, we live in a community property State so my spouse is entitled to 50% even without working for compensation...