Can I volunteer at U.S. foundations if I have an L-1?

Generally, yes: L-1 holders can typically participate in volunteer work at foundations and nonprofit organizations, as long as the activity is genuinely voluntary and not confused with paid employment.

The L-1 authorizes its holder to work for the sponsoring company within the approved role. Volunteering tends to be compatible with this because it is not a paid employment relationship: these are activities traditionally offered free of charge, open to the community, and without any expectation of compensation.

To avoid running into immigration rules, a few points are worth keeping in mind:

• The activity must be truly unpaid, with no salary disguised as expense reimbursement.
• It cannot fill a position that would normally be a paid job, replacing a paid worker.
• The volunteer work must not conflict with the purpose or duties of your L-1.

Because the line between volunteering and employment can be subtle, it is prudent to confirm the conditions with USCIS or an immigration specialist before committing to the organization.

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.