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Hi I'm from Germany and I want to go to the USA to volunteer for 8 weeks and one week for vacation. For this I already got two offers.
The first one: I could volunteer with Hostelling International which is a non-profit organization (501c3 status) for 8 weeks.
The second one: I could volunteer for 6 weeks at the Goethe International Charter School which is also a non-profit organization (501c3 status).
I read that you could volunteer with the VWP if these organisations are non-profit and fulfill these conditions:
"Individuals participating in a voluntary service program which benefits a U.S. local community, who establish that they are a member of, and have a commitment to, a particular recognized religious or nonprofit charitable organization, may be eligible for a B-1 visa or visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if the work to be performed is traditionally done by volunteer charity workers; they will receive no salary or remuneration from a U.S. source, other than an allowance or other reimbursement for expenses incidental to their stay in the United State; and they will not engage in the selling of articles and/or the solicitation and acceptance of donations."
So could you please tell me if I need a visa or if I could travel via ESTA. And if I need visa which one would I need, the J1 visa or the B1/2 visa? No one else seems to know that.
I appreciate your help
The first one: I could volunteer with Hostelling International which is a non-profit organization (501c3 status) for 8 weeks.
The second one: I could volunteer for 6 weeks at the Goethe International Charter School which is also a non-profit organization (501c3 status).
I read that you could volunteer with the VWP if these organisations are non-profit and fulfill these conditions:
"Individuals participating in a voluntary service program which benefits a U.S. local community, who establish that they are a member of, and have a commitment to, a particular recognized religious or nonprofit charitable organization, may be eligible for a B-1 visa or visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if the work to be performed is traditionally done by volunteer charity workers; they will receive no salary or remuneration from a U.S. source, other than an allowance or other reimbursement for expenses incidental to their stay in the United State; and they will not engage in the selling of articles and/or the solicitation and acceptance of donations."
So could you please tell me if I need a visa or if I could travel via ESTA. And if I need visa which one would I need, the J1 visa or the B1/2 visa? No one else seems to know that.
I appreciate your help
