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Students in F-1 status often want to “volunteer.”
There are very strict regulations from the Department of Homeland
Security and the Department of Labor regarding volunteer work.
If the work the student wants to do is publicly advertised
as a “strictly volunteer position” then it is
acceptable. This may include candy striping at a hospital,
picking up trash with an honor fraternity or being one of
a group of volunteer tutors at a local middle school.
Volunteer work does not include working for free as an accountant
at a firm that will hire you as soon as your OPT approval
is granted, or similar circumstances. If you are found “volunteering”
in an inappropriate situation, your I-20 will be terminated
for unauthorized employment and you will have to leave the
United States. Be advised of this as you choose to volunteer
your time.
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