diff --git a/models/user.go b/models/user.go
index b2abdca964..dc3b4142bf 100644
--- a/models/user.go
+++ b/models/user.go
@@ -551,6 +551,7 @@ func (u *User) GetOwnedOrganizations() (err error) {
 }
 
 // GetOrganizations returns paginated organizations that user belongs to.
+// TODO: does not respect All and show orgs you privately participate
 func (u *User) GetOrganizations(opts *SearchOrganizationsOptions) error {
 	sess := x.NewSession()
 	defer sess.Close()
diff --git a/routers/api/v1/org/org.go b/routers/api/v1/org/org.go
index 987f141078..ca3e10173b 100644
--- a/routers/api/v1/org/org.go
+++ b/routers/api/v1/org/org.go
@@ -17,19 +17,28 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/routers/api/v1/utils"
 )
 
-func listUserOrgs(ctx *context.APIContext, u *models.User, all bool) {
-	if err := u.GetOrganizations(&models.SearchOrganizationsOptions{
-		ListOptions: utils.GetListOptions(ctx),
-		All:         all,
-	}); err != nil {
-		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetOrganizations", err)
+func listUserOrgs(ctx *context.APIContext, u *models.User) {
+
+	listOptions := utils.GetListOptions(ctx)
+	showPrivate := ctx.IsSigned && (ctx.User.IsAdmin || ctx.User.ID == u.ID)
+
+	orgs, err := models.GetOrgsByUserID(u.ID, showPrivate)
+	if err != nil {
+		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetOrgsByUserID", err)
 		return
 	}
+	maxResults := len(orgs)
 
-	apiOrgs := make([]*api.Organization, len(u.Orgs))
-	for i := range u.Orgs {
-		apiOrgs[i] = convert.ToOrganization(u.Orgs[i])
+	orgs = utils.PaginateUserSlice(orgs, listOptions.Page, listOptions.PageSize)
+
+	apiOrgs := make([]*api.Organization, len(orgs))
+	for i := range orgs {
+		apiOrgs[i] = convert.ToOrganization(orgs[i])
 	}
+
+	ctx.SetLinkHeader(int(maxResults), listOptions.PageSize)
+	ctx.Header().Set("X-Total-Count", fmt.Sprintf("%d", maxResults))
+	ctx.Header().Set("Access-Control-Expose-Headers", "X-Total-Count, Link")
 	ctx.JSON(http.StatusOK, &apiOrgs)
 }
 
@@ -53,7 +62,7 @@ func ListMyOrgs(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 	//   "200":
 	//     "$ref": "#/responses/OrganizationList"
 
-	listUserOrgs(ctx, ctx.User, true)
+	listUserOrgs(ctx, ctx.User)
 }
 
 // ListUserOrgs list user's orgs
@@ -85,7 +94,7 @@ func ListUserOrgs(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 	if ctx.Written() {
 		return
 	}
-	listUserOrgs(ctx, u, ctx.User != nil && (ctx.User.IsAdmin || ctx.User.ID == u.ID))
+	listUserOrgs(ctx, u)
 }
 
 // GetAll return list of all public organizations
diff --git a/routers/api/v1/utils/utils.go b/routers/api/v1/utils/utils.go
index ad1a136db4..5732ea7f7d 100644
--- a/routers/api/v1/utils/utils.go
+++ b/routers/api/v1/utils/utils.go
@@ -66,3 +66,22 @@ func GetListOptions(ctx *context.APIContext) models.ListOptions {
 		PageSize: convert.ToCorrectPageSize(ctx.QueryInt("limit")),
 	}
 }
+
+// PaginateUserSlice cut a slice of Users as per pagination options
+// TODO: make it generic
+func PaginateUserSlice(items []*models.User, page, pageSize int) []*models.User {
+	if page != 0 {
+		page--
+	}
+
+	if page*pageSize >= len(items) {
+		return items[len(items):]
+	}
+
+	items = items[page*pageSize:]
+
+	if len(items) > pageSize {
+		return items[:pageSize]
+	}
+	return items
+}