Volunteer work & unpaid internships
Learn about what is considered volunteer work.
Overview and Definition
While volunteering may seem simple, it is complex. Please note that volunteering and engaging in an unpaid position off-campus are considered two different activities. If you are interested in participating in volunteer opportunities, you must first understand the definition of volunteering so that you do not violate any laws and participate in unauthorized employment.
Any off-campus employment (paid or unpaid) MUST be authorized. Without official authorization, it is considered a status violation and will result in the loss of a student's F-1 status. Therefore, it is important to know the rules about volunteering and unpaid work/internships before you engage in any off-campus activity.
Here are some important reminders if students plan on volunteering:
- Students must not receive any taxable income.
- The primary purpose of volunteering must be charitable or humanitarian in nature.
- Incentives such as "per-diem" and reimbursements for transportation are not allowed for volunteer positions.
- If the volunteer position is one for which an employer would otherwise officially hire someone, you may work there only with employment authorization.
Meet with an International Student Advisor to discuss any volunteer or unpaid internship opportunities.
Volunteering
Volunteer work can generally be defined as a position in which a person is not paid or would not expect to be paid for their time and efforts. Additionally, volunteering does not require any special knowledge, skills, or degree, so that a wide range of individuals can perform the same work. Below are a few examples of volunteer work:
Animal Shelter
A student is walking dogs or cleaning cages at a local animal shelter.
Religious
A student is serving on a church committee that organizes youth groups.
Making Meals
A student is helping make meals for the elderly or homeless.
Events by Non-Profit Organizations
A student is assisting with events put on by a non-profit organization, for example, events held by the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy.
Unpaid internships vs volunteering
Most often, unpaid internships are related to the student's program of study and the student may be using the internship as professional or career-based experience.
Unpaid internships REQUIRE work authorization. Please be mindful that work-authorization is not based on whether a position is paid or unpaid.
Students must be approved for either Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) in order to participate in an unpaid internship. If students do not obtain work authorization for unpaid internships, their F-1 status will be at risk of being terminated for unauthorized employment.
When considering volunteering or doing an unpaid internship, international students should be very careful to make sure that the internship really meets all seven of the criteria established by the U.S. Department of Labor:
Fact sheet #71: Internship programs under the fair labor standards act
Volunteering while on post-completion optional practical training (OPT)
Students participating in authorized Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) may count internships (paid or unpaid) towards OPT employment as long as the opportunity is related to the student's program of study and they work more than 20 hours a week.
When accepting volunteer positions, please be mindful of U.S. Labor Laws
volunteering while on stem Optional Practical Training (opt)
Employment during STEM OPT must be paid as outlined on the I-983 Training Plan. Unpaid internships, volunteering, community service work, and research are not acceptable types of employment on STEM OPT. While on STEM OPT, employment must be paid as outlined on the I-983 Training Plan.
Students on STEM OPT may perform volunteer services (in addition to fulfilling all employment requirements) if the volunteering is a true humanitarian volunteer opportunity and does not violate federal labor laws.
Volunteer & Unpaid Internships - Frequently Asked Questions
ISSS cautions students against participating in any paid research studies as it can be viewed as employment.
If the non-profit organization is humanitarian based and has no relation to the student’s program of study, then CPT or OPT authorization may not be required. ISSS encourages students to come in and discuss volunteering with an international student advisor before participating.
Consequences may include loss of F-1 status, possible deportation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and greater difficulty in any future attempts to acquire a visa renewal or different legal status in the U.S.