Can i volunteer on a tourist visa

However there are some restrictions, and it is best to check them out. The most significant restriction is that you can only volunteer to do things that are normally done on a voluntary basis , i. So for example you could volunteer at a hospital as a 'candy striper' because that is a volunteer position, and you would be working alongside other unpaid volunteers.

You could not do the work of a nurse even if you volunteered to do it unpaid because a nurse is normally a paid position. You also can't do "anything that would benefit a commercial enterprise", and there are restrictions on things like unpaid internships.

However assuming that the Planetary Society of Pasadena is a not-for-profit you should be fine. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams?

Learn more. Ask Question. Asked 6 years, 5 months ago. Active 4 years, 4 months ago. You can apply for a maximum extension of 6 months. India USA Travel.

B1 B2 Visit Visa. Tip: Don't Forget Travel Insurance. Atlas America. Safe Travels. Patriot America Plus. Read More. If the visa is a multiple-entry visa, this means you can use it to enter the U. Keep in mind that a visa merely allows you to apply to enter the United States.

It does not guarantee that the U. Customs and Border Protection CBP officer at the airport or other point of entry will allow you to enter.

To be sure, having the visa is normally a good sign that you'll be allowed to enter. When the Customs and Border Protection officer greets you and reviews your passport and visa, you will receive a stamp in your passport that notes the date you arrived, your visa class B-1 visitor , and how long you may remain.

With a B-1 visa, you should receive a period of stay of up to one year. If you receive a shorter period, or if your volunteer program will last longer than the authorized stay noted in your passport, you can later submit an application later Form I , with filing fee and supporting documents, to U. Citizenship and Immigration Services to extend your stay. You will need to provide an updated letter from the organization, similar to the one you used to apply for the visa, copies of your passport including the photo and visa pages , I Departure Record which you can obtain at the CBP website , and evidence of how you are supporting yourself while in the United States without working here for pay.

You may request extensions in periods of up to six months. Based on USCIS's published guidelines, the possibility exists that this agency might take a more restrictive approach than the State Department does, and grant extensions only if you're volunteering for a religious organization.

Therefore, if you're volunteering for a non-religious organization a charitable nonprofit , it would be an excellent idea to talk to an immigration lawyer to evaluate your options. If you are a citizen of a designated country see below and plan to complete your volunteer activities in 90 days or less, you might be able to travel to the U.

The above requirements still apply, and you will need to have the same letter that is required for someone applying for a B-1 visa. The Customs and Border Protection officer at the airport in the U. If you use the Visa Waiver Program, you may not extend your stay in the United States beyond the initial 90 days. It also is not recommended to enter the U. Attempting to do so could result in the Customs and Border Protection officer refusing your entry and requiring you to obtain a visa.

Therefore, even if you're from one of the Visa Waiver countries, if your volunteer assignment will last more than 90 days, you will need to follow the process described above to apply for a B-1 visa at the U. With some research and planning, you can find a service program that will allow you to obtain a visitor visa to volunteer in the United States. Be sure to gather the required documents and follow the visa application procedures.