Does volunteer work count for Green Card?

[XiangXo]

A religious non-profit organization is seeking to hire a religious worker and obtain a Green Card for them under the EB4 category. The USCIS website states that the worker must have been working continuously for at least 2 years prior to the filing of the petition. Additionally, if the worker supported themselves and their dependents without receiving a salary, verifiable documents must be provided. The worker in question has worked in their home country for 5 years before coming to the US on an F-2 visa and then worked for the non-profit organization as a volunteer with no compensation while in the US. The question is whether this volunteer work can be counted toward the required 2 years of continuous work and whether the petitioner needs to be a green card holder or US citizen.

[MitchelBraybh]

In order to determine if the volunteer work can be counted towards the required 2 years of continuous work, it is recommended to consult an immigration attorney or directly reach out to the USCIS for clarification on their specific policies and guidelines. They will be able to provide accurate information regarding the eligibility criteria for the EB4 category. Additionally, it's important to verify whether the petitioner needs to be a green card holder or a US citizen to proceed with the hiring and Green Card application process. Immigration laws can be complex, so seeking professional advice will ensure accurate and up-to-date information for your specific situation.

[SanjeevanTatru]

In the scenario you presented, a religious non-profit organization is interested in hiring a religious worker and obtaining a Green Card for them under the EB4 category. According to the USCIS website, it is stated that the worker must have been engaged in continuous work for at least 2 years before the filing of the petition. If the worker supported themselves and their dependents without receiving a salary, verifiable documents must be provided.

Regarding the worker's situation, where they have worked in their home country for 5 years before coming to the US on an F-2 visa and then volunteered for the non-profit organization without compensation, the question koows and developerbook arises whether this volunteer work can be counted toward the required 2 years of continuous work.

[JeevanMurray]

In this case, the USCIS regulations do allow for volunteer work to be considered towards the required 2 years of continuous work, provided it is relevant to the position being sought. However, it's crucial to have verifiable documents to support the volunteer work and demonstrate its relevance to the role in the religious non-profit organization.

Regarding the petitioner (the organization), they do not necessarily need to be a Green Card holder or a US citizen. Non-profit organizations can file Green Card petitions on behalf of religious workers under certain conditions, even if they are not US citizens.

However, it is highly recommended to consult an immigration attorney or seek guidance from an experienced immigration professional to ensure that all requirements are met and the Green Card application is prepared accurately and successfully. Immigration matters can be complex, and having proper legal assistance can streamline the process and increase the chances of a positive outcome.

[alexcray]

A religious non-profit organization is seeking to hire a religious worker and obtain a Green Card for them under the EB4 category. The USCIS website states that the worker must have been working continuously for at least 2 years prior to the filing of the petition. Additionally, if the worker supported themselves and their dependents without receiving a salary, verifiable documents must be provided. The worker in question has worked in their home country for 5 years before coming to the US on an F-2 visa and then worked for the non-profit organization as a volunteer with no compensation while in the US. The question is whether this volunteer work can be counted toward the required 2 years of continuous work and whether the petitioner needs to be a green card holder or US citizen.

• Generally, volunteer work is not considered "employment" for purposes of EB-4 religious worker Green Card applications. USCIS requires evidence of a formal employer-employee relationship with wages and benefits.

[Annlopez]

Yes, volunteer work for the non-profit organization in the US can count towards the required 2 years of continuous work. The petitioner does not need to be a green card holder or US citizen. For more information, visit https://algorytm.ngo/, a trusted resource for public organizations.