As you prepare to embark on your volunteer experience, please be sure to complete the following steps.

To conserve resources, Village Volunteers strives to be a paperless organization. Other than your Waiver and Volunteer Conduct Standards form, all other information is submitted electronically.

For additional information or guidance at any time, please email our team at volunteer@villagevolunteers.org.

Step 1: Complete and submit your Volunteer Application

To begin the online application process, please click here. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by the Village Volunteers staff, and you will be notified by email of your acceptance and placement within two weeks.

It is highly recommended that you apply for a program at least 60 days before your anticipated departure to ensure that space is available in the program of your choice, you have time to prepare, and you have obtained the necessary immunizations, visas and a passport.

Step 2: Congratulations, you have been accepted to a Village Volunteers program!

To reserve your placement, please send a $100 USD deposit, noting your approximate travel dates, to:

Village Volunteers
5100 S. Dawson St., Suite 202
Seattle, WA 98118
USA

Deposits can be made by check (preferred method) - made payable to Village Volunteers - or by credit card. Click here to pay securely online via PayPal.

Your $100 USD deposit should be submitted within 60 days of receiving your acceptance letter by email. Once your acceptance has expired, we can no longer reserve your place in our volunteer program. If you would like to request an extension beyond 60 days, feel free to contact our team.

Step 3: Review the orientation materials

Once we have received your deposit, you will be registered as a volunteer and given access to all documents necessary for preparing for your trip. You will be directed to go to My Village from our home page and login with your email address and password. Once you have logged in to the My Village volunteer page, scroll to the Travel Preparations Documents section and select the link for the country you will be volunteering in. From this page you will be able to access all of our online orientation materials.

Step 4: Book your flight 6 - 8 weeks in advance

The placement information in your acceptance email will indicate the time frame during which you have been accepted to volunteer. Because all Village Volunteers programs are customized, volunteers are free to select the exact arrival and departure dates.

When making your travel arrangements, be sure to reference our Tips for Making Travel Arrangements document in the Travel Preparation Documents section of our website. This document includes recommended airfare websites, travel agents, and important guidelines regarding the time of day when volunteers should arrive or depart.

Be sure to book your travel arrangements within the time frame that is designated in your acceptance letter. If you would like to request a change, feel free to contact our team at volunteer@villagevolunteers.org.

Immediately after making your flight arrangements, email the following information to Florinda Peralta at volunteer@villagevolunteers.org:

	Arrival		Departure
»	City, Country	»	City, Country
»	Date (MM/DD/YY)	»	Date (MM/DD/YY)
»	Time (include AM/PM)	»	Time (include AM/PM)
»	Airline	»	Airline
»	Flight Number	»	Flight Number

Step 5: Consult a travel physician for immunizations

Step 6: Obtain your passport and visa

Passports should be applied for approximately four months in advance. Be sure to check with your home country passport office for processing times prior to applying for your passport.

Visas may require at least one month to be processed. Be sure to check with the embassy of the country you will be visiting for the most current processing times prior to applying for your visa. Please also keep in mind that you will need your flight information before you can apply for a visa.

For recommendations of U.S. companies that provide passport and visa expedite services, click here.

Step 7: Update your Emergency Contact List

From the My Village volunteer page, you can enter/edit your emergency contact list.

Step 8: Register with your home country embassy

Step 9: Submit your final payment

Your final payment must be received 3 weeks prior to your departure from your home country. If payment is not received by this time, you will not be admitted to our volunteer program as there will not have been adequate time to process your payment and send the funds to your volunteer destination.

Please submit your final payment in US dollars by check or money order, made payable to Village Volunteers. Payments should be mailed to:

Village Volunteers
5100 S Dawson St, Suite 202
Seattle, WA 98118
USA

Step 10: Submit your proof of travel health insurance

Travel health insurance is mandatory, and proof of coverage is required before departure. Please provide proof of coverage by email to volunteer@villagevolunteers.org 2 weeks prior to your departure.

For examples of companies that offer travel health insurance policies, visit our FAQ page.

Step 11: Submit your required volunteer paperwork

Please carefully review, sign, and submit the forms listed below which can be found in the Travel Preparation Documents page of the country you will be volunteering in. These forms must be received in our office 2 weeks prior to your departure from your home country.

1. Volunteer Waiver

2. Volunteer Conduct Standards Form

3. Parental Consent Form (for volunteers 18-years-old and younger)

Step 12: Carefully read The Model Volunteer

If you have not already done so, please be sure you have thoroughly read and understand The Model Volunteer.

Step 13: Stay in touch

We are always available to answer any of your questions. Feel free to email our team at info@villagevolunteers.org.

Step 14: Safety

Village Volunteers is committed to the safety of all volunteers. We work with a network of Program Directors and In-Country Coordinators, all of whom are available as resources should you need assistance at any time before and during your stay. You will be provided with their contact information prior to your departure should you wish to correspond with them in advance.

Step 15: Submit your Pre-Departure Survey (optional)

Finally, prior to your departure, we ask that you take a few moments to complete and submit the Pre-Departure Survey found in the Travel Preparation Documents page.

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