ICE/SEVP Warns Students About Volunteer Positions
On May 18, 2018, ICE and Exchange Visitor Program provided
guidance to OPT students
Volunteer positions that are not directly related to course of
study do not qualify as [OPT] and must not be listed as OPT
employment.
Reporting non-qualifying volunteer opportunities as OPT
employment will be deemed a violation of reporting requirements and
may be subject to removal from the United States.
Non-qualifying volunteer positions do not stop the accrual of
unemployment which is limited to a total of 90 days during OPT.
If you have been unemployed for more than 90 days, you must
leave the United States or be subject to removal even if you have
volunteered while unemployed.
Note: A volunteer position does not meet the conditions of a
science, technology, engineering and mathematics OPT
extension.
The alert is at
https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2018/bcm-1805-01.pdf.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.