Dental Shadowing on B1/B2 Visa

[hapjaw]

I am an Indian citizen, and I have a B-1/B-2 visa for USA. I read your section about B- visa. I have a question about Voluntary Work on this visa.

I want to go to USA to do volunteer work at a dentist office for 3 to 6 months. This kind of work is called "Shadowing" and is useful when I apply for dentist study in USA. This is why I want to do this work.

I would like to know if this kind of work is allowed on B-1 /B2 Visa ? If it is allowed what is the maximum duration for which I can stay there?

[Ideal sol]

You shouldn't do any work even you are not getting paid on a B visa.( even you shouldn't help somebody in a productive work.)

This is my opinion. Not a legal advice.

[peace999]

Unpaid Observership for medical subjects is allowed as many medical graduates do this on a B1/B2 visa before applying for a residency.
You will need a B1 stamp on your passport at POE.
The tricky part is declaring this at port of entry. Some officers are not familiar with this and may consider it as unpaid work , not allowed under B1/B2.

[Ideal sol]

Hi Peace,

Are shadowing and observership comes under same category?

[hapjaw]

Hi

Although unpaid work is not allowed under B1/B2 visa, but shadowing does not allow us to do any type of work, it is just observing the work which is being done by other people. Shadowing does not allow us to do ANY work in dental clinic. So I think it should be allowed under B1/B2 visa. Any official website which can clarify this issue further ??

[peace999]

you are correct ,hapjaw ( i find this user name interesting ), there is no work involved.
observership = shadowing.
Like I said, regular medical graduates commonly get a B1/B2 visa for observership , so it should not be a problem.
Just take a detailed letter at POE, that there is no work involved, in case there is an interrogation at POE.

Sadly , there is no official link I can offer, I just know that people are successful applying for this purpose.