If you are an F-1 student on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and are interested in volunteering through Taproot Plus, we’re glad you’re here. Before expressing interest in a volunteer opportunity, it’s important to make sure volunteering aligns with your immigration status.
Check Your Eligibility First
Immigration regulations for F-1 students on OPT can be complex and depend on your specific circumstances. Taproot cannot provide legal advice about your eligibility to volunteer.
Before applying to opportunities on Taproot Plus, we strongly recommend speaking with:
Your university’s international student office
A qualified immigration attorney
USCIS site has more information regarding OPT
They can help you determine whether volunteering through Taproot Plus is permitted under your OPT status.
Important to Know
Taproot and our nonprofit partners:
Do not provide visa sponsorship
Do not issue OPT-related documentation
Do not offer employment verification for immigration purposes
Cannot provide immigration or legal guidance
All volunteers are responsible for confirming their own eligibility to participate.
Verifying Volunteer Hours
The nonprofit you work with may be able to confirm your volunteer participation or hours once an engagement is complete.
If you expect to need this type of documentation, we recommend bringing it up during your interview call before the engagement begins. This gives the nonprofit the opportunity to decide whether they’re comfortable confirming your participation or hours after the work is complete.
Because Taproot Plus connects volunteers with nonprofits as an intermediary, Taproot is not able to verify volunteer hours or provide official documentation of volunteer contributions.
General Taproot Plus Requirements
To volunteer on Taproot Plus, you must:
Reside in an eligible region- the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, European Union, or India.
Have strong professional experience in the skill area you plan to offer to nonprofits. Keep in mind that nonprofits will not be training or mentoring you in a specific functional area.
We appreciate your interest in supporting nonprofits through Taproot Plus. Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, we’d love to connect you with ways to give back.