Can I volunteer at a local church with an L-1 visa?

Generally, yes, as long as the work is truly voluntary. The L-1 authorizes you to perform the role for which you were transferred within the sponsoring company, and genuine volunteering at a local church typically does not conflict with that authorization.

To be considered genuine volunteering, the service must be without compensation or benefits that could be interpreted as payment. If any financial consideration is involved, it may be viewed as unauthorized work and jeopardize your status.

It is also important that the activity does not interfere with your obligations to the company sponsoring the visa. Volunteering outside of working hours, without replacing a paid position, tends to be unproblematic from an immigration standpoint.

If you are thinking about expanding the scope of your activities in the U.S., it is worth confirming the limits of your status with an immigration specialist before making any commitment.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.