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.

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