Volunteer work without EAD?

[sleekdizel 0]

Hi everyone, I am currently adjusting from K-1 to GC and i have done my biometrics for AOS and EAD. However I would like to know if its possible to do volunteer work without pay while awaiting your EAD. I am honestly bored and tired of sitting around with nothing to do. So please advise if I am allowed to work as a volunteer WITHOUT PAY or if it will be considered a violation if i do.

[voltaire-er 0]

hey,

volunteering is not an issue and you are legally allowed to do so. maybe you could get your organization to type up a letter stating that you have a volunteering position with them and you are not receiving any pay whatsoever. that is just a tip to be triple certain and have backup documentation in case any questions arise at a later date.

happy volunteering

[Umka36 781]

As long as the "volunteer" position would normally not be a paid position, there would be no problem. A good example that comes to my mind is volunteering at a hospital.

[ricnally 258]

Actually, you can't do anything that someone COULD be paid to do, so be careful with that.

[chrisalex 0]

i know how you feel...it's ok to do volunteer work..I do the same thing.

[sleekdizel 0]

Thanks guys. Your responses are all very helpful and deeply appreciated

[britishdakota 18]

Actually, you can't do anything that someone COULD be paid to do, so be careful with that.

That seems like an incredibly wide rule. Surely someone could be paid to do anything?

[newacct 688]

Even if it turns out that it counts as work, you don't have to worry, because as the immediate relative of a USC, unauthorized work is forgiven in AOS.

[ricnally 258]

That seems like an incredibly wide rule. Surely someone could be paid to do anything?

Yes, but consider: volunteering to cheer people up at a hospital = OK, vs. volunteering at the company where you really want to work eventually = not Ok. Everything in between = hmm.

[Morningmist 76]

I read that it depends if the position was advertised as volunteer work and would generally be open for volunteering even for USC. For example, Habitat for humanity is a solely volunteer organization and hence OK to volunteer there without work authorization. Open hand is another. Social organizations where people just get together to celebrate their heritage is another. Volunteering at Museums and art festivals ( like setting up tents). These are positions specifically looking for volunteers and are usually advertised as such.

Working for a software company and doing code for them is not considered volunteering because it is considered a "you scratch my back I scratch yours" type of relationship. In other words you set to gain from the relationship as do they. Most USC would have been paid to work at the company.

Once you get your EAD or GC it wouldn't matter though. But if you were on a non immigrant visa then it would.

[sweet01 39]

I am also considering volunteer job at American Red cross, do you think it's okay? I am also waiting for my work permit...thanks.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Fam.-based AOS Process to Working and Traveling During US Immigration Forum~

~Inquiry about EAD~

[Zedayn 485]

Hi everyone, I am currently adjusting from K-1 to GC and i have done my biometrics for AOS and EAD. However I would like to know if its possible to do volunteer work without pay while awaiting your EAD. I am honestly bored and tired of sitting around with nothing to do. So please advise if I am allowed to work as a volunteer WITHOUT PAY or if it will be considered a violation if i do.

You are allowed to do volunteer work if you receive absolutely no compensation for doing so. Compensation is not limited to just getting paid. Compensation is: paid salary, job training, future promise of a job, or other benefits.

This description is a fairly good definition of who a "true" volunteer is:

“True” volunteers are those who: (1) work toward public service, religious, or humanitarian objectives; (2) do not expect or receive compensation for services; and (3) do not displace any genuine employees.

From: http://www.nonprofitrisk.org/library/articles/employee_or_volunteer.shtml

I am also considering volunteer job at American Red cross, do you think it's okay? I am also waiting for my work permit...thanks.

Red Cross should be ok to volunteer.

[sweet01 39]

Thanks Zedayn

[El Burro 11]

My wife is adjusting from k-1 and is volunteering at the local Humane Society. It relieves the boredom for her and they're always eager for volunteers.