Unpaid internships

In many cases, you will still need work authorization for unpaid internships. You should contact your OISS adviser for guidance before accepting an offer or starting work as an unpaid intern.

If you are receiving any type of compensation, including stipends, honoraria, stock options, or reimbursements, or the prospective position does not meet the unpaid internship criteria, you must obtain U.S. work authorization. In addition, you cannot offer to volunteer for a position which is normally a paid position, or for which you will be paid later, due to work authorization constraints. Keep documentation during unpaid internships, in case you are ever asked to provide it in the future.

After you have completed your program, you must apply for F-1 post-completion OPT or J-1 Academic Training authorization for both paid and/or unpaid positions if you wish to remain in the U.S. to work.

Volunteering

Volunteering allows you to get involved with the local community, network, utilize skills and learn new ones. The U.S. Department of Labor defines volunteering as donating time with an organization whose primary purpose is civic, charitable or humanitarian in nature. There is typically no direct supervision or mentorship for a volunteer position.

Note: Washington University does not have volunteer positions. Contact Human Resources if you have questions about a posting or an offer you received.

A volunteer position must meet the following conditions:

  • No expectation of compensation
  • The volunteer cannot displace a genuine employee
  • The services provided by the volunteer should not be the same services for which they were previously paid and/or expect to be hired and paid for in the future. Examples of common volunteer organizations include a literacy network, homeless shelter, food pantry, animal shelter, etc.

Work at a for-profit entity is considered employment and requires work authorization. You do not need work authorization for legitimate volunteer opportunities. Remember, this is true as long as you are not receiving payment or any type of compensation. If you are unsure whether you need work authorization, contact your OISS adviser.