Volunteer
Students in F-1 status often want to volunteer. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have very strict regulations regarding volunteer work.
Appropriate volunteer work
If the work the student wants to do is publicly advertised as a “strictly volunteer” position, then it is acceptable. Examples include candy striping at a hospital, picking up trash with an honor fraternity or being one of a group of volunteer tutors at a local middle school.
Inappropriate volunteer work
Volunteer work does not include offering free services as an accountant at a firm that will hire you as soon as your OPT approval is granted, or similar circumstances. If you are found volunteering in an inappropriate situation, your I-20 will be terminated for unauthorized employment and you will have to leave the U.S.
