If you are a citizen of a designated country (see below) and plan to complete your volunteer activities in 90 days or less, you may be able to travel to the U.S. without a visa, under the Visa Waiver Program
Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program is a program of the US government that allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or while in transit for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. The program applies to the United States as well as the US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, with limited application to other US territories.
Do I need a work visa to volunteer in the US?
As long as you're not being compensated for volunteering, you shouldn't need a work visa to volunteer. While working in the United States can be difficult for a foreigner, volunteering is usually pretty simple. Forget the hassle of work visas. As long as you aren't being compensated for your volunteer work, you shouldn't need one.
Is it legal to work as a volunteer without pay?
However, if the volunteer work you are seeking is for a true volunteer position then volunteering and working without pay would be legal. For example, volunteering at a non-for-profit organization such as a museum, a fire-station, a school or a church where there is no general expectation of compensation, or employment may be okay.
Can a citizen of a designated country volunteer in the US?
Visa Waiver for Citizens of Certain Countries Who Plan to Stay 90 Days or Less. If you are a citizen of a designated country (see below) and plan to complete your volunteer activities in 90 days or less, you may be able to travel to the U.S. without a visa, under the Visa Waiver Program.
Does volunteer work violate my immigration status?
If he or she expected compensation, reward, or future benefit, then the volunteer work probably violates status. (95-05 Immigr. Briefings 1). Many community-based and student based organizations offer opportunities for volunteering.
Do I need a visa to volunteer in us?
As long as you're not being compensated for volunteering, you shouldn't need a work visa to volunteer. While working in the United States can be difficult for a foreigner, volunteering is usually pretty simple. Forget the hassle of work visas.
Can you volunteer abroad without a visa?
If you are volunteering abroad for about 1-12 weeks, you will likely need a tourist visa. If you'll be volunteering for an extended period of time, you'll likely need a working visa.
Can someone without a green card volunteer?
USCIS has indicated that an applicant for change in non-immigrant status could not offer his or her services to a prospective employer on a “volunteer” basis.
Can you volunteer while on a tourist visa?
It is likely that the conditions for this type of visa will also include the same requirement as the visitor visa of no more than 30 hours of volunteering within a limited range of roles. Once a refugee has 'settled status', there are no restrictions on volunteering. Asylum seekers also are able to volunteer freely.
Can a non US citizen volunteer?
Can a foreigner volunteer in the USA? While working in the United States can be difficult for a foreigner, volunteering is usually pretty simple. Forget the hassle of work visas. As long as you aren't being compensated for your volunteer work, you shouldn't need one.
Can Tourists volunteer in USA?
Volunteering in America with a tourist visa is feasible, so long as the nature of your volunteer work agrees with the rules of the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the US Department of Labor.
Can I volunteer while waiting for green card?
Yes, acting as a true volunteer is permissible. You need to be careful, though. Receiving any kind of compensation can create a problem, even if it just free meals, products, services, classes, tickets to events, etc.
How can I work in the U.S. without a work permit?
Anyone who works without a work permit would be exposing themselves to receiving a sanction which can range from fines to being deported from the country. To get a job in the United States, foreign workers must first meet one of these requirements: Having an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). A PERM work permit.
How can I apply for H2B visa?
Now, let's look at how to file the H2B visaStep 1: Begin and complete a labor certification application. As a petitioner who is also an employer, you request an H2B visa. ... Step 2: Submit the form I-129 to the USCIS service center. ... Step 3: Alien workers apply for a visa at the US embassy.
Do I need a visa to volunteer in UK?
If you're doing unpaid volunteering for a charity, you will need to apply for a Tier 5 Charity Visa through a registered volunteering provider to work in the UK.
Can you volunteer in London without a visa?
The main reason for your trip to the UK must be tourism, not volunteering as a WWOOFer. As a tourist you can stay in the UK for a maximum period of six months. You do not need a visa to enter the UK as a tourist unless you are from certain countries.
Do I need a work visa to volunteer in Canada?
You can WWOOF in Canada without a Work Permit Foreign nationals volunteering on farms and small holdings in exchange for room and board for a period of up to four weeks per host do not require work permits. However, please do your research and find out whether you need any kind of visa to enter Canada.
Do I need visa to volunteer in Spain?
Do I need a visa to volunteer in Spain? No!
Do I need a visa to volunteer in Germany?
Doing good, acquiring new skills and getting to know the country: there are a number of volunteering opportunities in Germany. Even unpaid volunteering is considered employment and you will need a visa or residence permit authorising volunteer work.
Do I need a visa to volunteer in Africa?
For service trips to Africa, you'll need at least a tourist visa to stay in-country. As a volunteer, you may also qualify for a work visa. The type of visa you need will vary depending on the country you volunteer in.
Do I need a visa to volunteer in Poland?
Poland Visas – a tourist visa is required to volunteer in Poland. Apply for your visa at least four weeks before your program begins. More information on visas can be found at VISA HQ. There are 25 European countries that are party to the Schengen Agreement, which eliminates all internal border controls between them.
How to find volunteer opportunities?
The opportunities for those who wish to volunteer are endless. You can find a volunteer opportunity that's right for you by visiting www.serve.gov. All you have to do is enter your interests and location. Based on those factors, you will be provided with a list of volunteer opportunities specifically suited for you. A similar Web site is www.volunteermatch.org. It requires the same information, but it searches a slightly different database so you may find a few different opportunities.
How to find volunteers in your neighborhood?
The easiest way to find one of these organizations is through the local chamber of commerce but you can also check with local schools and places of worship.
Can a foreign national volunteer without pay?
As a general rule of thumb, one should look at whether Americans would perform the same job without pay and under similar circumstances and if the answer is “yes,” then a foreign national in an employment-restricted status can volunteer and work without pay.
Is volunteer work a license?
Volunteer Work is Not License to Do Any Work. The answer to the question whether volunteer work is permitted depends on the type of unpaid volunteer work one is seeking to perform. The regulations state in broad terms that unauthorized work is prohibited.
Is it legal to volunteer without pay?
However, if the volunteer work you are seeking is for a true volunteer position then volunteering and working without pay would be legal. For example, volunteering at a non-for-profit organization such as a museum, a fire-station, a school or a church where there is no general expectation of compensation, or employment may be okay.
Do I Need a Visa to Volunteer in the US?
In many situations, no. Typically, a Canadian can enter the US to volunteer as long as that person was not being compensated for their time. In Kyle Kuchirka’s case, he was not only denied entry for attempting to volunteer but he was also banned from the US for five-years.
Immigration Lawyer for US Denied Entry from Canada
We recommend whenever you are planning on crossing borders you should consult an immigration professional. If Kyle had legal representation he would have known before getting to the border that he would need work authorization or at least a lawyer when issues arose.
Are You Interested in Entering in the US?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
