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Can I volunteer at a nonprofit Hospital with a B2 Visa?

By smiley_4 in Tourist Visas

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smiley_4 Newbie

smiley_4   0

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Hello, 

I'm currently visiting the US for a bit more than 3 Months. I'm staying with my relatives that live here. My aunt suggested I should volunteer somewhere to spend my time usefully. Currently I'm preparing for the Medical Entrance Exam in my country and just in general the Medical-Field is super interesting to me. I researched a bit and saw that many hospitals offer Volunteering. I wouldn't volunteer to give me futur benefits in my college application. In my country only your exam result counts. I want to do it just bc I want to help and I like hospitals. It could be that some hospitals offer food coupons for their Dining Hall. If that's against a regulation I don't mind bringing my own food. 

 

So is it legal to do this ? 

 

randomstairs Rising Star

randomstairs   333

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Timeline
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The organization should be a "typical" one for volunteer work and should not offer similar paid positions. You should have applied for a B1 and submitted the letter from the organization hosting you. You should've at the very least mentioned the volunteering on your visa application as a purpose of travel. Think of it like this: Does it *look* like an internship? If so, you're taking at least a moderate risk. 

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Lil bear Mentor

Lil bear   4,623

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
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Posted
16 hours ago, smiley_4 said:

Hello, 

I'm currently visiting the US for a bit more than 3 Months. I'm staying with my relatives that live here. My aunt suggested I should volunteer somewhere to spend my time usefully. Currently I'm preparing for the Medical Entrance Exam in my country and just in general the Medical-Field is super interesting to me. I researched a bit and saw that many hospitals offer Volunteering. I wouldn't volunteer to give me futur benefits in my college application. In my country only your exam result counts. I want to do it just bc I want to help and I like hospitals. It could be that some hospitals offer food coupons for their Dining Hall. If that's against a regulation I don't mind bringing my own food. 

 

So is it legal to do this ? 

 

It works have to be in a role which is usually and  only filled by volunteers  

Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   47,881

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
 Timeline
Posted

Better to do this in your Home country.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   47,881

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
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Posted
13 minutes ago, smiley_4 said:

A few. Depends on what they would want me to do. Prb have to do 100hours in 3 Months, bc that's what they request from people volunteering for a year.

Sounds very suspect.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

OldUser Grand Master

OldUser   10,372

Posted
Timeline
Posted
19 hours ago, smiley_4 said:

My aunt suggested I should volunteer somewhere to spend my time usefully.

I assume your aunt is a US citizen. Citizens typically don't think too much about consequences for immigration status caused by various activities in the US.

 

37 minutes ago, smiley_4 said:

A few. Depends on what they would want me to do. Prb have to do 100hours in 3 Months, bc that's what they request from people volunteering for a year.

This sounds more like unpaid internship. You're volunteering in the field of your study. I wouldn't do it to keep visitor's visa intact 

 

smilingstone Community Regular

smilingstone   733

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted
2 hours ago, smiley_4 said:

A few. Depends on what they would want me to do. Prb have to do 100hours in 3 Months, bc that's what they request from people volunteering for a year.

 

That's not tourism. 

 

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Fr8dog Proficient

Fr8dog   464

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Netherlands
 Timeline
Posted
On 9/10/2025 at 7:42 PM, smilingstone said:

 

That's not tourism. 

A very important point that gets overlooked by many people. If you only have a B2 the answer would be straight up "No!" B2 is for tourism only.

If you have a B1/B2 (or B1 visa only) some may state "yes", but I don't see how you can classify it under "business" either.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html/visa

 

If it would be an impromptu helping at a volunteer food drive for a local church for an evening I would say it's technically still "No!" but most likely you should be okay. Once they start requiring hours (and therefor I'm assuming registration and schedules) I don't see how you can claim to be using your B1 or B2. or B1/B2 visa as it was intended.

 

 
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