Position Overview
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offers the Student Volunteer Employment Program (SVEP), a non-paid internship program for qualifying students who want practical experience inside a federal immigration-services agency.
USCIS also hires students through the paid Pathways Internship Program, but availability of those vacancies changes. SVEP provides a separate route for students who want volunteer experience and meet the program’s citizenship, age and enrollment requirements.
Placements can vary by location and area of interest. USCIS instructs students to apply by email and include their preferred location or locations, allowing the agency to consider the request against available volunteer opportunities.
NB: SVEP is a non-paid internship. Do not present it as a salaried USCIS position.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify for the USCIS Student Volunteer Employment Program, a student must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 16 years old
- Be enrolled at least half-time in an academic, vocational or technical program
- Remain eligible under the education requirements connected to the placement
- Be able to meet any office-specific suitability or onboarding requirements
- Provide the information USCIS requests when applying for a student volunteer placement
Applicants should also be prepared to demonstrate:
- Professional communication
- Reliability and organization
- Ability to follow instructions and federal workplace procedures
- Interest in public service or immigration-related work
- Ability to work respectfully with staff and the public
- Basic research, administrative or computer skills where relevant to the placement
Tip: In your application email and resume, explain your field of study, the USCIS work areas that interest you and the locations where you are realistically able to participate.
Key Responsibilities
USCIS does not publish one universal duty list for every SVEP intern because assignments depend on the office and area of interest. Students can be placed where their education, interests and available opportunities align.
Depending on the placement, volunteer interns may support activities such as:
- Administrative and office support
- Research and information gathering
- Organization of records or project materials
- Preparation of routine documents or reports
- Support for program or operational staff
- Participation in meetings, training and workplace learning activities
- Assistance with projects appropriate to the student’s academic background
- Learning how a federal agency manages immigration-services work and public-service responsibilities
NB: Exact duties should be confirmed with USCIS if the student is contacted about a specific placement.
4. What You Will Gain
SVEP can provide students with:
- Practical experience in a federal agency
- Exposure to USCIS programs and workplace operations
- Understanding of federal public-service environments
- Professional communication and administrative experience
- Opportunities to connect academic study with real workplace tasks
- Experience that can strengthen a resume for future government or public-service applications
The program does not provide salary. Its value is primarily workplace exposure, professional development and experience inside USCIS.
Application Process
How to Apply
USCIS instructs students interested in a non-paid SVEP internship to email StudentVolunteer@uscis.dhs.gov and include their preferred location or locations in the message.
- Prepare an updated resume
- State your current school or training program and field of study
- Confirm that you are enrolled at least half-time
- List the USCIS locations where you would be able to intern
- Briefly explain your areas of interest
- Follow any additional instructions USCIS provides after reviewing your request
Apply through the official application page
Applications can be submitted to: StudentVolunteer@uscis.dhs.gov
Official source: View vacancy notice
Tip: USCIS states that student internship availability varies. Applying does not guarantee that a placement is currently available in the location or work area you request.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the USCIS Student Volunteer Employment Program paid?
No. USCIS describes SVEP as a non-paid internship program.
How old must I be?
Students must be at least 16 years old.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen?
Yes. U.S. citizenship is required for the SVEP program.
How much do I need to be enrolled in school?
USCIS requires students to be enrolled at least half-time in an academic, vocational or technical program.
How do I apply?
Email StudentVolunteer@uscis.dhs.gov and include your preferred internship location or locations.
Is a placement guaranteed?
No. USCIS states that student internship opportunities vary, so availability depends on current agency needs and locations.