All programs offered by Cooperating Volunteers that take place abroad have a series of conditions. Not all countries ask for the same requirements. For this reason, we detail each of them according to the country. This way, you will know in advance whether you can select that country as your destination for volunteering abroad.
Requirements for Volunteering in America
America is a continent where we develop various programs. Depending on each country, the requirements vary. However, there is one requirement that is common in most of them and that, in some cases, becomes the only one you must meet to enroll in the project. The requirement is to be over 18 years old at the start of the program. This is the only requirement requested in countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Galapagos Islands, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Other countries have some additional requirements. For example, Argentina requires being over 18 years old for programs involving childcare, teaching, and medicine, but for others such as sports, it is only necessary to be over 17.
To volunteer in Brazil, in addition to age, you need to present your curriculum vitae and a passport photo, and in Peru, some additional requirements are added. You must be over 17 for teaching programs and present a criminal record certificate. You must be over 22 for the medical program. Additionally, you must present your curriculum vitae accompanied by a letter of motivation.
Requirements for Volunteering in Africa
To volunteer in Africa, you must be over 17 years old for some countries and over 18 for others. Below, we specify the requirements for each country.
For programs developed in Cape Verde, you must be over 18 years old, and if you are over 65, a medical authorization is necessary. Additionally, if you decide to go to this country, the minimum stay for programs is two weeks.
For Ethiopia, you must be over 18 years old, additionally you must be vaccinated against yellow fever if the program takes place in Bahir. On the other hand, in Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Morocco, only being over 17 years old is required. In Madagascar, the requirement is one year older, 18.
In Tanzania, the requirements are more numerous: over 18 years old, minimum stay of one week and two for the medical program, as well as a medium to high level of English. If you choose Uganda, you must be over 17 years old and present a certificate of criminal records.
Requirements for Volunteering in Asia
The most common requirement, as in the countries mentioned above, is to be over 18 years old or 17.
For programs in Bali, volunteers must be over 18 years old. If you are 17, you can also do it but with a signed authorization from your parents in English. Additionally, a medium level of English is required to allow communication.
In Cambodia, programs related to medicine are highly sought after. Therefore, one of the requirements is to have at least one year of medicine, professional training, or nursing studies. In addition to being of legal age (18 years old). Similar requirements apply in Vietnam: over 18 years old, one year of study in the medical field, and a minimum participation of four weeks.
In Laos, the requirements are: medium level of English, criminal record certificate, and medical and travel insurance. For the Maldives, the only exception, volunteering is allowed for minors under 18, but parental authorization is required. For those over 65, medical authorization is required.
To volunteer in Nepal, you must be over 18 years old. Depending on the chosen program, some other requirement is required. For the canica rehabilitation program, the rabies vaccine is required, for medical programs and assistance to people with disabilities, a certificate of studies is required, and for dentistry, you must be studying something related.
On the other hand, countries like China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand only require being over 18 years old, and in India, being over 17 is sufficient.
Requirements for other countries
If you want to know the requirements to volunteer in Oceania or in some countries in Europe, click on this link and access all the information about them.