Unpaid Internship with Part-time work?

Hi,

I'm trying to figure out which visa I should be attempting to apply for, if any.

I've been asked to come to the US for the purpose of an unpaid internship at an NGO, based out of Washington DC. Since I wouldn't be paid, I would like to do some additional paid work to supplement my savings etc. and because I probably would go and try to find a part-time job upon my arrival, I wouldn't have a job when crossing the border. As far as I can tell, neither of these qualify for TN visa status. Should I go as a visitor and then apply for another type of visa once I find something or is there another way around this? The jobs I would be looking for would likely be unskilled, temporary, and non-professional, which I know probably doesn't bode well. Any suggestions would help.

Thanks!
-
Ian

I don't think you can even just go to do volunteer work without some sort of authorization permit.

I have no idea what that would be. What type of position is the internship? Is it continuing education? Would the position otherwise be paid if you were to be hired? If so, then you'd need a work permit, or a student permit of some sort.

Some student visas will allow part time work.

I don't think there are many options, because it's not a college. As an intern you can go in as H-3 and they can pay you, but if they don't want to pay you then you're stuck.

My advice would be to see if there is something you can do there that actually pays you something during the internship, and see if it can be fit in under the H-3 heading and get them to sponsor you for that category.