Employment & Unpaid Work
Volunteering
“Volunteering” is the act of providing services without compensation or expectation of compensation for a nonprofit, charitable, or humanitarian organization, where the role is traditionally performed by volunteers.
Some examples of true volunteer work that would not need work authorization include helping serve food at a homeless shelter, cleaning out cages at an animal shelter, sorting food at a food pantry, and handing out water at a marathon.
Key elements that make something true volunteering:
- No compensation of any kind
- This includes not only wages, but also stipends, gift cards, housing, meals, or other non-monetary benefits.
- No expectation of future employment or benefit
- The activity cannot be a trial period or pathway to a paid role.
- Organization type matters
- Typically must be a nonprofit (e.g., charities, religious organizations, community groups).
- Role must be genuinely volunteer-based
- The position should be one that is normally unpaid (e.g., serving at a food bank), not a role that would usually be paid in the labor market).
The ISSC is not able to vet unpaid experiences for compliance with labor laws and are not authorized by regulation to give permission. Experiences that may or may not be considered employment could be subject to review by government agencies such as Consular Affairs, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
F-1 students should be especially cautious when evaluating opportunities described as “volunteering.” While the term is often used broadly, not all experiences labeled this way meet the definition of true volunteer activity under F-1 regulations. In many cases, these roles may more closely resemble unpaid work, with structured duties, set hours, or expectations similar to paid employment. This distinction matters, as unauthorized employment, even if unpaid, can have immigration consequences. Volunteering and unpaid work are not always the same, so it’s important to carefully assess each opportunity and consult with the ISSC if you are unsure whether authorization is required.
When considering volunteering or doing unpaid work, international students should be very careful to make sure that the work really meets all seven of the criteria established by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Employment
“Employment” refers to any type of work or service performed in exchange for compensation or benefit. This includes not only traditional paid jobs (hourly or salaried), but also things like stipends, free housing, meals, or other non-monetary benefits.
F-1 Off-Campus Employment Authorizations
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Examples of Non-Monetary Benefits
Here are common non-monetary benefits examples:
- Basic living benefits
- Free or discounted housing
- Free meals or groceries
- Transportation (gas money, a transit pass, use of a car)
- Academic or professional perks
- Free or reduced tuition, fees, or course access tied to work
- Training, certifications, or professional development provided in exchange for services
- Resume-building roles where you’re expected to perform regular duties (even if labeled “volunteer”)
- Goods and services
- Gift cards, vouchers, or store credit
- Free products (clothing, technology, etc.) in exchange for work or promotion
- Discounts that are only offered because you are providing a service
- Housing/childcare-type exchanges
- Babysitting or caregiving in exchange for room and board
- Pet sitting or house sitting for free accommodation
- Other indirect benefits
- Receiving tips
- Social media perks (free items, event access) in exchange for posting or promoting
- “Bartering” arrangements (trading your skills for something else of value)
Final Considerations
It is important for F-1/J-1 students to carefully consider all work-related opportunities while in the United States, regardless of how they are labeled. Many experiences described as “volunteering” may still require work authorization under F-1/J-1 regulations. In general, any activity that involves providing a service especially if it includes structured duties, set hours, or any form of compensation or benefit could be considered employment. Because F-1/J-1 students are required to have authorization for most types of work, failing to obtain proper approval can jeopardize both your current immigration status and future immigration benefits. When in doubt, always review the details of the opportunity and consult with the ISSC and/or an experienced immigration attorney before participating.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, we cannot provide a letter. The ISSC is not able to vet unpaid experiences for compliance with labor laws and are not authorized by regulation to give permission. If you wish to obtain official permission to do an unpaid internship, please apply for CPT or OPT.
A student should obtain CPT authorization for all unpaid internships, whether the student does or does not need to provide employment authorization documents to the company. Since the need for work authorization is not determined solely on whether an opportunity is paid or unpaid, F-1 students risk a violation of their status if they do not obtain proper work authorization. Therefore, to avoid the risk of an unauthorized employment status violation, we recommend obtaining CPT or OPT work authorization.
Before doing any work, you should ask what paperwork the organization requires from you to start your unpaid internship. If they want you to complete an I-9 Employment Authorization Verification form, it means they consider it to be an employment relationship requiring authorization even if you are not being paid.
No. We can only provide social security letters for authorized paid employment opportunities.
You should get documentation from the organization where you are engaging in the unpaid internship or volunteer activity explaining the nature and terms of your work, and keep this with your other immigration records.