Volunteering on arrival with K1

[ceoneill 0]

Hello!

We finally have the K1 approved and I have my ticket for arrival in the states booked (less than a month now). We have our wedding date set for mid-January. From what I can gather this means that I wont be able to get my permission to work until around April 2013. If this is the case I would really love to volunteer in Chicago for the months until I can find work.

I have found a volunteer position that I would like to pursue. It is an unpaid internship for a non-profit organisation and I'd like to know if USCIS would allow me to undertake this position. Is there perhaps someone that I can talk to who knows the specifics? There is no financial benefit or potential of future paid employment so it seems to fit the bill but I would rather be on the safe side.

Any advice appreciated!

[Touch of Treble 39]

Working as a volunteer is not any concern of USCIS. As long as you are not earning any income from your activities you can do what you like. If the organization is not wanting a social security number from you then you are completely in the clear. Hope that clears it up for you.

[ceoneill 0]

Working as a volunteer is not any concern of USCIS. As long as you are not earning any income from your activities you can do what you like. If the organization is not wanting a social security number from you then you are completely in the clear. Hope that clears it up for you.

Thanks very much! That really helps out

[Susi&Charlie 9]

Hello!

We finally have the K1 approved and I have my ticket for arrival in the states booked (less than a month now). We have our wedding date set for mid-January. From what I can gather this means that I wont be able to get my permission to work until around April 2013. If this is the case I would really love to volunteer in Chicago for the months until I can find work.

I have found a volunteer position that I would like to pursue. It is an unpaid internship for a non-profit organisation and I'd like to know if USCIS would allow me to undertake this position. Is there perhaps someone that I can talk to who knows the specifics? There is no financial benefit or potential of future paid employment so it seems to fit the bill but I would rather be on the safe side.

Any advice appreciated!

I was wondering the same thing just now…because I think I'll probably go crazy if I just sit at home and wait until I can get a job. When I was in the States on a student visa and before that as an aupair, I was told that I couldn't volunteer anywhere because there is always a chance that you might be offered some type of payment. I guess maybe it's one of those "don't tell anyone about it and you'll be fine" kind of things. What's been your experience so far? I'm just gonna assume that everything went well with the wedding and all Also, where are you volunteering? I will be living in Chicago also, so I'm just curious about what options you found...

Edited March 13, 2013 by Susi&Charlie