Can I volunteer at an animal welfare NGO?

In general, yes. People in the United States on an O-1 visa can typically participate in volunteer work without pay, such as helping an animal welfare NGO, as long as the activity does not constitute an employment relationship.

The O-1 work authorization is tied to the field and the institution that sponsored the visa. For this reason, volunteering is acceptable when it is genuinely unpaid and does not replace a position that would normally be compensated.

• There must be no salary, benefit, or any form of compensation that would characterize the activity as employment.
• The activity must be traditionally voluntary, the kind an organization would not normally pay for.

Since each situation has its own nuances and changes to your visa terms can affect what is permitted, it is worth checking the updated rules with USCIS or reviewing your case with a 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.