Unpaid and Volunteer Opportunities

Regardless of whether it is paid or unpaid, all employment performed in the United States by an F-1 or J-1 student must be authorized.

Unpaid Opportunities

Unpaid jobs, internships, and other practical experiences require work authorization when you are physically present in the United States, regardless of whether they are conducted in person or online.

Many organizations in DC and beyond rely on the unpaid work of students and advertise such opportunities as ‘volunteering’ or do not ask for proof of U.S. work authorization. However, engaging in an unpaid activity without proper authorization exposes you to the risk that a U.S. immigration authority may later determine such a position should have been authorized. The U.S. immigration system has severe consequences for status violations related to employment.

Volunteering

For F-1 and J-1 students, volunteering refers only to an uncompensated activity that:

  • is undertaken with purely altruistic and charitable motives, and
  • does not requiring any specialized skills or knowledge.

Although volunteering is permitted without work authorization, it is important to be mindful of the very narrow definition in the F-1/J-1 context. Employers often use the term ‘volunteering’ more broadly. It is your (the student’s) responsibility to ensure you apply for work authorization when it is needed.

The standard example of a volunteer activity is distributing food to people experiencing homelessness. Anyone can make such a humanitarian contribution to society, regardless of their professional capacities or educational background. However, if an accounting student were to help a homeless shelter’s office staff with their bookkeeping or accounting needs, that would require work authorization.

Refusing compensation or payment does not make a position a volunteer role. All volunteer and unpaid positions must adhere to U.S. labor law.

Please contact your IS Advisor if you are unsure whether a role constitutes volunteering or requires work authorization.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if a role is unpaid employment or volunteering?

A good question to ask yourself is whether you’d consider the position a building block of your professional trajectory or something you are doing for its many social and personal benefits.

  • Roles for which the duties and responsibilities draw upon the knowledge and skills you are learning in your Georgetown academic coursework and research require work authorization.
  • Volunteering is something that is done only with attention to the soul and to the well-being of the community.

I’ve been offered a volunteer role. Can I accept it?

Please email the position description to your IS Advisor so we can help you evaluate it. Please be aware that, while we’re happy to advise, we aren’t equipped to determine exactly where any particular position falls on the spectrum of risk. You are always welcome to seek a more qualified opinion by contacting an experienced immigration attorney.

Work Authorization

For detailed information about work authorization options for paid and/or unpaid positions, please review our Employment page.

F-1 work authorization options for unpaid roles include:

J-1 work authorization options for unpaid roles include: