Can I do an unpaid internship without my work authorization?

[CaroSL 68]

Hey,

I don't have my work authorization yet, so I can't work and get paid. But I am volunteering (for a good cause) I was wondering if I could actually do the same kind of thing to build up my resume? Volunteering or an unpaid internship.

Thank you!!

[ricnally 259]

you can't volunteer to do anything that someone COULD get paid to do.

[CaroSL 68]

you can't volunteer to do anything that someone COULD get paid to do.

Well, someone could get paid to do anything...

I am currently volunteering in an hospice, I go visit people (say hi, talk about stuff, try to bring up some joy with me). It is arguable that someone could get paid to do it...

I didn't even think about that when I started and I still don't think it is a problem at all. (but it is a few hours from time to time, they clearly have me listed as a volunteer, with all their other volunteers)

So I am not sure it can be the criteria, because volunteer positions are positions you could also pay someone to do the work.

[ricnally 259]

Well, someone could get paid to do anything...

I am currently volunteering in an hospice, I go visit people (say hi, talk about stuff, try to bring up some joy with me).

VERY COMMENDABLE.

It is arguable that someone could get paid to do it...

I didn't even think about that when I started and I still don't think it is a problem at all. (but it is a few hours from time to time, they clearly have me listed as a volunteer, with all their other volunteers)

So I am not sure it can be the criteria,

SUIT YOURSELF.

because volunteer positions are positions you could also pay someone to do the work.

[KayDeeCee 4,895]

You are doing volunteer work for a hospice. That is normally a volunteer only position. You are fine in doing that, and I want to add that I think it is great you are doing that.

~ Moved from AOS Family Based to Working & Traveling ~

Edited July 18, 2013 by Jay-Kay

[CaroSL 68]

You are doing volunteer work for a hospice. That is normally a volunteer only position. You are fine in doing that, and I want to add that I think it is great you are doing that.

~ Moved from AOS Family Based to Working & Traveling ~

Thank you

So I just need to be in an organisation that do has volunteers (not just me, but other volunteers to) as a part of their usual staffing? That seems reasonable.

[CaroSL 68]

I didn't mean to be rude, I was just wondering the difference between the volunteering I was currently doing and one that I could possibly do that would build up my resume, that's it. I won't end up doing it. Maybe you are an attorney and you are sure of what you say. But this is a forum, I don't know that...

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I didn't mean to be rude, I was just wondering the difference between the volunteering I was currently doing and one that I could possibly do that would build up my resume, that's it. I won't end up doing it. Maybe you are an attorney and you are sure of what you say. But this is a forum, I don't know that...

I think this sort of volunteering will build up your resume anyway, as it shows you are a good person, etc. But I think the restriction is something like you can't use your promise of "volunteering" to take a real, normally paid job. In other words, you can't say "Hey, I want this job, just don't pay me until later."

I am not sure about an unpaid internship, as normally (I think) those lead directly to jobs.

But, it doesn't really matter, any illegal work is irrelevant/forgiven for a spouse of a USC who is adjusting in-country, so try your best, but don't panic about it.

[CaroSL 68]

All things considered, I don't think I really want to risk it...

[sara80 17]

That is interesting.. I did an unpaid internship while I was waiting for my EAD and it wasn't for an organization but for a very small studio. I got my GC approved a week after I got my EAD, and they never even asked if I was working or not. I hadn't even thought about not being "legal". Before I had found the place at the studio I had started as a volunteer at a local museum as a school guide, they could certainly pay for those positions but yet they have so many volunteers!

[Harsh_77 718]

That is interesting.. I did an unpaid internship while I was waiting for my EAD and it wasn't for an organization but for a very small studio. I got my GC approved a week after I got my EAD, and they never even asked if I was working or not. I hadn't even thought about not being "legal". Before I had found the place at the studio I had started as a volunteer at a local museum as a school guide, they could certainly pay for those positions but yet they have so many volunteers!

Anything that would help you in progression of your career even later when you get your work permit could be considered by the immigration as violation.

Example - A finance grad cannot work in financial institution as a volunteer until his H1 or OPT is approved, same finance guy could work for hospital or zoo as a greeter or something as volunteer.

Also they would look at the hours that one is working as most volunteer positions are not 40 hrs a week.

With all these mainly one gets in trouble if there is an immigration raid or someone complained and they come looking after the individual.

[CaroSL 68]

Yeah, it is actually very interesting.

For my situation, I think if they had many volunteers, or if it was a small company looking for help, I would not have been stressed about it at all... But I have been offered this internship and it was actually for a big company, and it was clearly a job (went through with a recruiting company) that they wanted to disguise in internship. I didn't feel comfortable with this.

Now, if a small company ask me to help on a marketing doc for example, of course they could pay someone for this, but who cares. If I don't spend a month full time on it, but I give a few hours to help out a start up I love (and build my experience and network), then sure. But it would be hard to assimilate this as working. If I want to do stuff like this, from time to time, for free as a hobby, something to keep me busy, I don't think that can be illegal.

[CaroSL 68]

Anything that would help you in progression of your career even later when you get your work permit could be considered by the immigration as violation.

Example - A finance grad cannot work in financial institution as a volunteer until his H1 or OPT is approved, same finance guy could work for hospital or zoo as a greeter or something as volunteer.

Also they would look at the hours that one is working as most volunteer positions are not 40 hrs a week.

With all these mainly one gets in trouble if there is an immigration raid or someone complained and they come looking after the individual.

Yeah, ok, that seems reasonable. I think the hours, and the visibility are definitely something important. Question is: Would I be filling a full time position which someone should be paid for, and with a lot of exposure?

The answer was yes, so I refused to do it. I am gonna wait. This is not worth the risk at all, even if it is frustrating to say no to something I wanted.

[sara80 17]

Anything that would help you in progression of your career even later when you get your work permit could be considered by the immigration as violation.

Example - A finance grad cannot work in financial institution as a volunteer until his H1 or OPT is approved, same finance guy could work for hospital or zoo as a greeter or something as volunteer.

Also they would look at the hours that one is working as most volunteer positions are not 40 hrs a week.

With all these mainly one gets in trouble if there is an immigration raid or someone complained and they come looking after the individual.

I see. I wasn't aware of it, and the small studio I helped was a start-up and I was only doing a few hours a week, more like helping a friend I'd say, who she is now!