To take part in any of our international volunteer programs, all participants must possess the following documents:
To ensure a smooth visa application process, it is highly recommended to consult with your host organization at the very beginning of your preparations. Coordinators are often able to provide critical guidance and necessary support with documentation.
A valid passport issued by their respective country of citizenship.
A tourist visa, which usually can be obtained upon arrival in the destination country.
For short-term stays, many European countries allow visa-free entry. However, volunteers should always verify the specific visa policies of their destination.
It is important to note that the passport must have a validity period of at least 6 months beyond the anticipated date of return to your home country.
Below is a table providing initial guidance on entry requirements for individuals holding passports from most European Union countries, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
Country | Short Term | Long Term |
🇦🇱 Albania | < 90 days (within 180 days) ➡ Visa type C | < 1 year ➡ Visa type D for humanitarian activities |
🇦🇷 Argentina | < 90 days ➡ tourist visa upon arrival | > 90 days ➡ extension for 90 supplementary days > 6 months ➡ leave the country to renew your tourist visa |
🇦🇺 Australia | < 3 months within one year ➡
Other nationalities: Visitor visa: 3, 6, or 12 months | > 90 days and < 1 year ➡ Visitor visa (subclass 600) |
🇧🇿 Belize | < 30 days ➡ No visa is required for nationalities on this list for stays of less than a month
Otherwise: a visitor visa is to acquire before entering the territory | > 30 days ➡ ask for a visa extension at the Immigration Department office in Belize City, Belmopan, or one of the outlying districts |
🇧🇴 Bolivia | < 90 days ➡ visa on arrival for 30 days, extendable two times for further 30 days free of charge | > 90 days ➡ custom solution with your volunteer organization |
🇧🇼 Botswana | < 90 days ➡ visas on arrival for most nationalities and valid for 30 days, extendable up to 90 days if requested at the time of entry | > 90 days ➡ custom solution with your volunteer organization |
🇧🇷 Brazil | < 90 days ➡ no visa required, only registration of your trip at your embassy. You can apply for a 90-days-extension to stay up to 180 days | > 90 days ➡ volunteer visa |
🇰🇭 Cambodia | < 60 days ➡ visa on arrival for 30 days, extendable once for a further 30 days | > 60 days ➡ Ordinary (Business) Visa |
🇨🇲 Cameroon | < 30 days ➡ tourist visa | > 30 days and < 90 days ➡ temporary visa |
🇨🇦 Canada | < 180 days ➡ visa waiver via Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), receive approval before departure or | > 180 days ➡ custom solution with your volunteer organization |
🇨🇻 Cape Verde | < 30 days ➡ visa waiver EASE registration (online), receive approval before departure | > 30 days ➡ custom solution with your volunteer organization |
🇨🇱 Chile | < 90 days ➡ tourist visa "Tarjeta de Turismo" (tourist card) | > 90 days ➡ short-term visa, also known as a temporary resident visa |
🇨🇳 China | < 30 days tourist visa |
|
🇨🇴 Colombia | < 90 days ➡ visa-free entry | < 180 days ➡ extendable once for a further 90 days |
🇨🇷 Costa Rica | < 90 days ➡ tourist visa upon arrival | > 90 days ➡ "border run" ( reenter the country) or provisional visa |
🇭🇷 Croatia | c.f. EU | c.f. EU |
🇨🇺 Cuba | < 30 days ➡ "tourist card" needs to be purchased prior to arrival (90 days for Canadian citizens), extendable once for a further 30 days | > 60 days ➡ custom solution with your volunteer organization |
< 30 days ➡ no visa | > 30 days ➡ fee-based extension requested at the Departamento de Extranjería, Dirección General de Migración | |
🇪🇨 Ecuador | < 90 days within a period of 12 months ➡ no visa | > 90 days ➡ register online for one only extension for 90 supplementary days |
🇪🇬 Egypt | < 30 days ➡ eVisa that is valid for 3 months |
|
🇸🇻 El Salvador | < 90 days ➡ no visa |
|
🇪🇺 European | < 90 days ➡ Schengen short-stay visa
(From 2025: ETIAS Travel Authorization) |
|
🇫🇯 Fiji | < 4 months ➡ Entry permit by presenting return or onward flight tickets, as well as proof of financial subsistence | > 4 months ➡ 2 months-extension |
🇫🇮 Finland | c.f. EU | c.f. EU |
🇫🇷 France | c.f. EU | c.f. EU |
🇬🇭 Ghana | < 60 days ➡ apply for a tourist visa | < 180 days ➡ enter the country with a tourist visa, which can be extended twice for 60 days each time |
🇬🇷 Greece | c.f. EU | c.f. EU |
🇬🇹 Guatemala | < 90 days ➡ tourist visa on arrival | > 90 days ➡ custom solution with your volunteer organization |
🇭🇺 Hungary | c.f. EU | c.f. EU |
🇮🇳 India | < 60 days ➡ apply for a e-visa | < 180 days ➡ apply for tourist visa < 365 days ➡ apply for employment visa |
🇮🇩 Indonesia (+ Bali) | < 60 days ➡ C6B visa | < 180 days ➡ C6B visa extension |
🇮🇪 Ireland | c.f. EU | c.f. EU |
🇮🇱 Israel | < 90 days ➡ free tourist visa on arrival | > 90 days ➡ volunteer visa |
🇮🇹 Italy | c.f. EU | c.f. EU |
🇯🇲 Jamaica | depending on the country ➡ up to 365 days, up to 90 days or up 30 days | extension ➡ up to 180 days |
🇰🇪 Kenya | < 90 days ➡ e-Visa or visa on arrival | < 180 days ➡ extension in Nairobi |
🇱🇦 Laos | < 30 days ➡ tourist visa | > 30 days ➡ visitor visa + extensions |
🇲🇬 Madagascar | < 30 days ➡ tourist visa on arrival < 90 days ➡ apply for tourist visa at embassy | > 90 days ➡ apply for 'one-month extendable visa' and extend to long-term visa |
🇲🇼 Malawi | < 30 days ➡ e-Visa must be inquired at least 1 month before arrival. Single entry visa fee of USD 50. Recommended reason for travel "Tourism" < 60 days ➡ extension can be obtained at the immigration office in Lilongwe | > 90 days ➡ ask your local volunteer coordinator to assist you with the appropriate visa process. Volunteers must track their entry date and request assistance before their initial 30-day period expires. To provide you with a host letter, your local project coordinator may ask you for a copy of your passport during the application process. |
🇲🇾 Malaysia | depending on the country ➡ 30, 60, or 90 days |
|
🇲🇻 Maldives | < 30 days ➡ tourist visa on arrival | < 90 days ➡ enter the country with a tourist visa, which can be extended twice for 30 days each time |
🇲🇽 Mexico | < 180 days ➡ visa on arrival | > 180 days ➡ "border run" ( reenter the country) |
🇲🇳 Mongolia | < 30 days ➡ visa on arrival | > 30 days ➡ custom solution with your volunteer organization |
🇲🇦 Morocco | < 90 days ➡ visa on arrival | > 90 days ➡ custom solution with your volunteer organization |
🇲🇿 Mozambique Important: Due to the current situation, we cannot guarantee travel or provide precise updates. More information will follow as soon as possible. | < 30 days ➡ no visa required | > 30 days ➡ 30 days extension at immigration |
🇳🇦 Namibia | < 90 days ➡ work visa and temporary residence permit | > 90 days ➡ work permit |
🇳🇵 Nepal | < 90 days ➡ visa on arrival | > 90 days ➡ extend up to 150 days per calendar year |
🇳🇿 New Zealand | < 3 months: NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) if you are from the Visa waiver countries (only exception: up to 6 months for British volunteers) | < 9 months: Visitor Visa |
🇳🇮 Nicaragua | < 90 days ➡ visa on arrival | < 120 days ➡ extend visa > 120 days ➡ temporary work permit |
🇵🇦 Panama | < 180 days ➡ visa on arrival | > 180 days ➡ "border run" ( reenter the country after 3 days) |
🇵🇪 Peru | < 90 days ➡ visa on arrival, not extendable | > 90 days ➡ custom solution with your volunteer organization |
🇵🇭 Philippines | < 30 days ➡ visa on arrival. Before entering the country, you must register on the Philippine government's entry portal. | < 60 days ➡ extend visa > 60 days ➡ extend visa at additional costs |
🇵🇹 Portugal | c.f. EU | c.f. EU |
🇷🇴 Romania | c.f. EU | c.f. EU |
🇷🇼 Rwanda | < 30 days ➡ e-Visa | < 90 days ➡ multiple entry e-Visa |
🇸🇨 Seychelles | No visa needed, a valid passport and financial means for the intended duration of stay |
|
🇿🇦 South Africa | < 90 days ➡ tourist visa upon arrival | >90 days ➡ temporary residence visa |
🇪🇸 Spain | c.f. EU | c.f. EU |
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | < 30 days | < 90 days ➡ extended ETA > 90 days ➡ work permit |
🇹🇿 Tanzania | < 90 days ➡ visa on arrival | > 90 days ➡ apply for Residence Permit 'C' in-country |
🇹🇭 Thailand (regardless of duration: Thailand Digital Arrival Card) | < 30 days ➡ tourist visa upon arrival | < 90 days ➡ Non-Immigrant Visa “O” |
🇺🇬 Uganda | < 90 days ➡ tourist visa | > 90 days ➡ work permit Class G1 |
< 180 days ➡ no visa |
| |
< 90 days ➡ ESTA | > 90 days ➡ temporary work permit | |
🇻🇳 Vietnam | < 15 days ➡ no visa needed < 30 days ➡ e-Visa | < 90 days ➡ tourist visa |
🇿🇲 Zambia | < 30 days ➡ tourist visa | > 30 days ➡ temporary residence permit |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | < 30 days ➡ no visa needed | > 30 days ➡ eVisa |
|🇹🇭 Thailand|Varied visa options based on stay duration and nationality ➡ consult embassy|Guide assistance through host coordinator essential for long-term volunteering| |🇹🇿 Tanzania|Short-term volunteering ➡ local visa arrangements possible|Host organization's input crucial| |🇮🇩 Indonesia|< 60 days ➡ C6 visa required|C6 visa needs host documentation support|
Disclaimer: While we strive to provide accurate and current information, visa requirements can change at any time due to updates in immigration policies. The information provided here is meant for general guidance and is subject to change, as immigration policies can vary by country. For the most accurate and current information, always verify visa requirements directly with the embassy or consulate of your destination country before making any travel arrangements.
Tip: Don’t forget to check if you’ll need a transit visa for any flight connections in different countries.
Please note: Volunteer World does not offer assistance with visa procedures, nor do we provide invitation letters. Your host organization will be your best source for guidance on visa matters.
On the Volunteer World platform, participants can easily communicate with coordinators by clicking "Details" in their account or using the messaging feature to directly contact program coordinators for further assistance.
Program-Specific Requirements: Always review the 'Requirements' section of your chosen program to confirm that you meet its stated qualifications and documentation needs.
General Checklist for Volunteer Visa Applications
Consult Your Host Organization
Reach out to your program’s coordinator for advice and the required documentation.
Check Embassy Guidelines
Verify visa details through the destination country's embassy or consulate.
Prepare Documentation
Obtain necessary paperwork such as invitation letters, if applicable.
Confirm Nationality-Specific Requirements
Check if exemptions or specific requirements apply based on your passport and stay duration.
Useful links for passport holders from...
Best Practices for Volunteers:
Always verify travel details with official government sources.
Keep a copy of your travel insurance and emergency contacts handy.
Understand the specific cultural and legal expectations of your destination to ensure a smooth experience.
Coordinate closely with your host organization to ensure all necessary visa-related documents are secured in time.
Regularly check official embassy websites with any updates on visa requirements.
🇩🇪 Germany ➡ Auswärtiges Amt
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (UK) ➡ gov.uk - foreign travel advice
🇺🇸 United States (USA) ➡ US State Department
Disclaimer: There are no liability claims against Volunteer World if entry is not possible due to individual visa requirements. Ultimately, the guidance provided by your host organization and compliance with national travel regulations will be essential in ensuring a smooth entry process