Legal Question in Immigration Law in Michigan

Re: Volunteering on Visitor Visa

This is a good question. I would not see a problem if you are volunteering to learn something you would be unable to learn in your country. Obviously, your motive is to learn and study American business, right? As long as it is not for compensation, and it is clearly understood between you and your volunteering agency that you are not employed, there is no law that says you cannot volunteer, or that such an option with a visitor's visa is illegal. Be ready, however, to prove your position if you are questioned. Sometimes, if your visa is a B1/B2, you would be permitted to learn and study about business and other cultural and social areas of this country. You should be okay; just don't take one penny! and certainly do visit whoever it is you are here to visit! Good luck!

People cannot work for free

In many cases, people cannot work for free. The major exception would be positions set up through universities or volunteer organizations.

Labor laws are both federal and state.

If the businesses are big enough that they would have positions valuable to you, the businesses likely are subject to federal laws and would not want you to "volunteer" for them.