Can I work for philanthropic foundations?

Yes, it is possible, as long as the activity is connected to your field of recognition. Under the O-1, authorized work is always tied to the field for which you were approved, and this applies to working for philanthropic foundations as well.

In practice, if your role at the foundation relates to your expertise, whether in research, the arts, sciences, or another recognized competency, it can be included in the petition. The key point is that the activity must be documented and approved, not outside the scope of what was validated.

Adding a new area of activity typically requires that the petition reflect that role, either through an update or a supplemental filing. Working outside what was authorized may jeopardize your status.

• The activity must connect to your recognized field.
• The role must appear in the approved petition.
• New areas of work may require an update to the filing.

Because this involves the scope of your authorization, it is worth aligning any new activity with a specialist and confirming official guidance before taking it on.

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.