Unpaid internship before Recieving EAD Card (OPT)

[OKOKOK 0]

I applied for OPT in April and put my starting date May 15th, even though I knew I wouldnt be recieving my card until late June/July.

The question regards what I can do/not do during the time while I wait for my card.

I know I am not allowed to do any payed jobs, but what about unpaid internships at an international organization?

Am I allowed to legally intern at an international organization during the month of June (and will extend until August, therefore I would intern one month without my EAD card and two months with it in my possesion)?

[SweetApple08 2]

I applied for OPT in April and put my starting date May 15th, even though I knew I wouldnt be recieving my card until late June/July.

The question regards what I can do/not do during the time while I wait for my card.

I know I am not allowed to do any payed jobs, but what about unpaid internships at an international organization?

Am I allowed to legally intern at an international organization during the month of June (and will extend until August, therefore I would intern one month without my EAD card and two months with it in my possesion)?

Why don't you speak with you ISO and they will let you know the correct answer. It depends on many things if you can oor cannot work.

[OKOKOK 0]

Why don't you speak with you ISO and they will let you know the correct answer. It depends on many things if you can oor cannot work.

I did and all they say that any internship before recieving your OPT card is not legal because you usually recieve some sort of indirect benefit. While I asked a immigration lawyer and she said that an unpaid internship basically results in me volunteering, and therefore allowing me to take do it.

[Nik+Heather 121]

I think you have gotten two correct answers, and they probably depend quite heavily on how you posed the question.

You can work for no pay if it will not benefit you (except in the warm-fuzzies department).

For example:

You cannot work without pay doing a job for which you will be (or could be) paid once your EAD arrives.

You cannot work and have your pay for that time withheld until you get your EAD.

You cannot work without pay in order to get the experience to "transfer" into a paid position once you get your EAD.

You CAN work without pay in the way that other Americans do - volunteering at the food bank or animal shelter, for example.

I would discourage you from "volunteering" in your field. Ex: a teacher volunteering to be a tutor at the local school. Although you may be working with others who are volunteers, the problem arises when it can be seen as a potential stepping stone to working at the school because of the networking/good will you generate. This would be an example of the "indirect benefit" referred to by your first answer-er.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Is this unpaid internship required by an education program? Would it be unpaid whether you had EAD or not? Do you plan on working for the company in the future? Does the company have a US branch or is it located outside the US altogether?

[nissyade 0]

I applied for OPT in April and put my starting date May 15th, even though I knew I wouldnt be recieving my card until late June/July.

The question regards what I can do/not do during the time while I wait for my card.

I know I am not allowed to do any payed jobs, but what about unpaid internships at an international organization?

Am I allowed to legally intern at an international organization during the month of June (and will extend until August, therefore I would intern one month without my EAD card and two months with it in my possesion)?

Hi there,

I know its been some years, but what was the bottom line to your question. I am in a similar situation