More on Foreign Students: Reporting Volunteer Positions During OPT

In a new “broadcast message,” SEVIS Response Center advises that foreign students engaging in volunteer work that is unrelated to their course of study does not qualify as optional practical training (OPT) and should not be listed as OPT employment. Reporting nonqualifying volunteer work as OPT employment could be considered a violation of the student’s reporting requirements and subject them to removal. Additionally, nonqualifying volunteer work does not stop the accrual of unemployment, which the OPT program has limited to a total of 90 days.

Published by
Palmer Polaski PC

Recent Posts

BIA Allows Judges to Make Changes to Charging Documents

After several precedential Supreme Court decisions on Notices to Appear (NTA), the initial charging document…

4 weeks ago

E-2 Treaty Investors: Closer Look at the Requirements

The E-2 treaty investors visa is a nonimmigrant visa available to foreign nationals from certain…

1 month ago

Public Charge: A Taxing Inadmissibility Ground

While the public charge ground can be challenging and confusing for many, it is critical…

2 months ago

Student Visa Policy Update

On August 27, 2024, USCIS issued a Policy Alert regarding F-1 students, clarifying various course-related…

2 months ago

Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers: Still a Good Backup Option

While the Keeping Family’s Together Program remains on hold, many eligible applicants would be wise…

2 months ago

Keeping Families Together Program Updates

On August 19, 2024, DHS began accepting applications for the Biden Administration’s new “Keeping Families…

3 months ago