India USA
Travel

Recommended Travel Plans

1. Atlas America
2. Safe Travels
3. Patriot America
  • Visit USA
  • US Travel Tips
  • Visiting Parents
  • Students in USA
  • B1 B2 Visit Visa
  • H1B Visa
  • Life in USA
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy policy
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Interview Questions
  • Travel Checklist
  • Get US Visa
  • Travel Insurance
  • Health Insurance for Parents

Categories

  • B1 B2 Visit Visa
  • FAQ
  • H1B Visa
  • Life in USA
  • Spouse Visa
  • Students in USA
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel News
  • US Immigration News
  • US Travel Tips
  • USA to India Travel
  • Visa
  • Visit USA
  • Visiting Parents
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy policy
  • Legal Disclaimer
India USA travel
  • Interview Questions
  • Travel Checklist
  • Get US Visa
  • Travel Insurance
  • Health Insurance for Parents
  • B1 B2 Visit Visa

Can You Volunteer to Work on a Tourist Visa in the USA?

  • June 17, 2019
  • Staff

According to a report by the US Department of State, the United States issued more than 90 lakh B1/B2 visas in 2018. While the B1 visa is typically thought of as the visa that allows foreign nationals to enter the US for business purposes, it can also be used for engaging in other types of activities in the country.

Recommended Plans

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Atlas America 100% Coverage, Comprehensive plan
⭐⭐⭐ Safe Travels USA 100% Coverage, Comprehensive plan
⭐⭐ Patriot America Plus 100% Coverage, Comprehensive plan

Compare Plans

If you want to visit the United States as a volunteer, you can apply for a B1 visitor visa. You need to mention that you are a part of a recognized non-profit, charitable or religious organization and will take part in their “voluntary service program.”

Basic Requirements

The program that you participate in should be involved in helping the needy, poor or support a charitable or religious cause. It should not include any means to earn money via the sale of items or by soliciting and accepting donations. You cannot be paid by the organization for your services, but they should provide some kind of reimbursement or allowance for incidental expenses.

Some examples of volunteer work are disaster relief, religious missions or other similar programs.

How to Apply for a B1 Visa

After you have found a suitable voluntary service program, you need to apply for the B1 or business tourist visa at the US consular website. Here, you will find complete instructions on how to complete the application form and pay the visa fee.

Read the instructions under the “Before You Start” section and from the dropdown select the country from where you will be applying. After filling the form and paying the fee of $160, you need to schedule your visa interview.

Documents Needed for the Visa Interview

Apart from the basic documents, such as passport, application form and the visa fee receipt, you will also need to provide a letter from the concerned organization. This letter should include details of the organization, the program that you will be a part of, duration of the assignment, you name and date of birth, your permanent residential address in your home country, and name and address of the location where you will be initially placed.

During your visa interview, you will have to explain to the consular officer details of the above-mentioned information. If the interview goes well, you can expect to receive your passport back in a few weeks. The processing time depends on the consulate’s workload.

Validity of the Passport

The “reciprocity agreement” between your country and the US will decide the duration of the visa. This can range between a few months and up to several years, with single or multiple entries.

Usually, with a B1 visa, you will be allowed to stay in the US for a period of up to one year. In case you get a shorter period or your volunteer program is expected to last longer than the authorized stay, you can submit Form I-539, along with the fee and relevant documents to the USCIS to extend your stay.

The documents needed for filing an extension include an updated letter from the charitable organization, copy of your passport, the I-94 Arrival-Departure record, and proof of sufficient funds to sustain yourself without working in the United States.

You can apply for a maximum extension of 6 months.

Related Topics
  • Visit Visa
  • Family-Based Green Cards – All Questions Answered
  • US Visitor Visa Extension – Ultimate Guide
  • Patriot America Platinum: Should You Buy?
  • Liaison Travel Plus Review – Good Travel Insurance?
  • CoverAmerica Gold Review: The Best Travel Insurance Plan?
  • INF Elite Travel Insurance – Worth Buying?
  • Safe Travels Elite Travel Insurance Review – Is it any good?
  • Atlas Premium America Travel Insurance Review: Good or Bad?
  • H1B Lottery – Everything You Need to Know
  • VisitorSecure Insurance Review – Is it Any Good?
  • B1 B2 Visit Visa
  • FAQ
  • H1B Visa
  • Life in USA
  • Spouse Visa
  • Students in USA
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel News
  • US Immigration News
  • US Travel Tips
  • USA to India Travel
  • Visa
  • Visit USA
  • Visiting Parents

Recommended Travel Plans

1. Atlas America
2. Safe Travels
3. Patriot America
India USA Travel
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Privacy policy
Your travel guide to USA.

IndiaUSAtravel.com is an online portal dedicated to topics related to travel and immigration to the USA from India. Information shared on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.

For any legal help or advice, we recommend hiring a qualified professional immigration attorney.

Disclosure: Content may contain sponsored links to partner programs and affiliates, which may earn us a commission from sales generated, at no additional cost.

© Blogitivity Media FZ LLC,
Ajman Media City UAE.

Recent Posts

  • Family-Based Green Cards – All Questions Answered
  • US Visitor Visa Extension – Ultimate Guide
  • Patriot America Platinum: Should You Buy?
  • Liaison Travel Plus Review – Good Travel Insurance?
  • CoverAmerica Gold Review: The Best Travel Insurance Plan?
  • INF Elite Travel Insurance – Worth Buying?
  • Safe Travels Elite Travel Insurance Review – Is it any good?
  • Atlas Premium America Travel Insurance Review: Good or Bad?
  • H1B Lottery – Everything You Need to Know
  • VisitorSecure Insurance Review – Is it Any Good?
  • Safe Travels USA – Review, Coverage & Benefits
  • Beacon America Insurance Review
  • Patriot America Plus Insurance Review: Coverage and Benefits
  • Visa Free Countries for Indians – Full Guide
  • B1 B2 Visit Visa
  • FAQ
  • H1B Visa
  • Life in USA
  • Spouse Visa
  • Students in USA
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel News
  • US Immigration News
  • US Travel Tips
  • USA to India Travel
  • Visa
  • Visit USA
  • Visiting Parents

Input your search keywords and press Enter.