Volunteering and Unpaid Internships

Understanding what constitutes volunteering and unpaid internships is important for international students. The U.S. government defines these activities differently, and knowing the distinction will help you understand your responsibilities and maintain your F-1 student status.

What is Volunteering?

The U.S. Department of Labor defines a volunteer as an individual who performs service for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons without any promises, expectations, or compensation for the services rendered. Additionally, a volunteer cannot replace a legitimate employee or take their place when the employer could have hired someone else. This prohibits you from working for free in a position that would normally be paid. Volunteering services are those that are done for the purpose of public service, religious, or humanitarian objectives. For example, one could volunteer at a local homeless shelter, charitable food pantry, or American Red Cross etc.

Volunteering is allowed for F-1 and J-1 students without work authorization if their activities meet the definition of volunteering mentioned above. However, please speak to ISO before engaging in any off-campus activities.

What are Unpaid Internships?

Unpaid internships, on the other hand, do not usually qualify as a “volunteer” activity. Typically, internships, both paid and unpaid, are offered in the private sector and are related to the intern's major field of study.

If you want to learn more about unpaid internships, check out Fact Sheet #71 from the Department of Labor, which is titled 'Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act'.

F-1 and J-1 students need work authorization from the ISO to undertake paid or unpaid internships.