Can I volunteer without work permit?

[Twomoles 8]

Can I volunteer without work permit? ?

[john_and_marlene 162]

It depends on what you are volunteering for.

[Twomoles 8]

How it depends?

[JenT 0]

You can volunteer at church or anywhere else that UNPAID volunteers are assisting others.

You cannot 'volunteer' at McDonald's or at your Uncle Mike's coffee shop if it would be a job that would normally earn a paycheck for someone else.

[Twomoles 8]

You can volunteer at church or anywhere else that UNPAID volunteers are assisting others.

You cannot 'volunteer' at McDonald's or at your Uncle Mike's coffee shop if it would be a job that would normally earn a paycheck for someone else.

Thought like that even never went thought my mind!

I was looking on near mercy hospital clerical work to meet people and get something in my resume.

So as long I don't earn with this I am good?

[MargotDarko 0]

You can volunteer at church or anywhere else that UNPAID volunteers are assisting others.

You cannot 'volunteer' at McDonald's or at your Uncle Mike's coffee shop if it would be a job that would normally earn a paycheck for someone else.

Thought like that even never went thought my mind!

I was looking on near mercy hospital clerical work to meet people and get something in my resume.

So as long I don't earn with this I am good?

I wouldn't be confident about the clerical work because that is usually a paid position, isn't it? If you were later paid to do the same position, then it definitely doesn't count as volunteer work that can be done without a work permit. To be safe and legal, go for volunteer work that is actually set up as a volunteer programme - not just a job you're offering to do without getting paid. There's probably a volunteer program at the hospital where you can visit patients.

Edited February 23, 2007 by MargotDarko

[Twomoles 8]

http://www.mercylink.org/pages/support_our...n/volunteer.cfm

???

They say its volunteer

[MargotDarko 0]

http://www.mercylink.org/pages/support_our...n/volunteer.cfm

???

They say its volunteer

Thanks for the link. That makes it a lot clearer what you would like to do. That does look fine actually since it's part of their official volunteer programme. To be doubly sure, just be honest and say that you don't have work authorisation yet but would like to volunteer.

Edited February 23, 2007 by MargotDarko

[JenT 0]

http://www.mercylink.org/pages/support_our...n/volunteer.cfm

???

They say its volunteer

Shouldn't have a problem with this.... best wishes!

Jen

[Twomoles 8]

[antda 13]

Hi Ieva&Carl,

Good luck on your immigration journey and in your search of volunteer experiences. In answer to your question, yes, you can volunteer without a work permit (or any kind of permit or visa, for that matter). From my experience, I volunteered even before I got my Green Card, and am still volunteering now after I got my Green Card. Volunteering is a very rewarding experience, and is definitely worth the time and effort! Plus, it helps you get to know the people and places in your community in the USA better too!

Try looking at websites, local area newspapers, flyers, posters, ogranizations, clubs, or ask people in the community where you are living at, etc., for volunteer opportunities.....

Lol...How I got my volunteer opportunities here in the USA: I simply asked around town...

Hope this helps.

Ant

Can I volunteer without work permit? ?

[notrepetiteashley 0]

Yes, you can, and there are lots of clerical positions that are strictly volunteer at hospitals, homeless shelters, etc. Have a great time doing it, I admire you for that!