Volunteering abroad for the first time raises a lot of questions, and that’s a good sign: a trip where you work, live and travel in a new country deserves some planning. Our team in New Delhi hears the same ones again and again, so here are the 18 that come up most, answered plainly. For more detail, see our questions and answers page.
Choosing a program
1. Where are the projects, and what could I do?
We place volunteers in two cities. In Delhi, you can work with street children, at women’s community centers or in special needs care, join a medical internship, or take a planned short program such as the two-week mini break or the Hindi and culture week. Jaipur, which we added in 2026, offers teaching, childcare, a women and girls’ center, slum schools, and construction and renovation. Our programs page lists them all.
2. Is there an age limit?
You must be at least 17 on your start date, and 17-year-olds need a consent form signed by a parent. A few programs start at 18: teaching and childcare in Jaipur, special needs care and the medical internship. There is no upper age limit; what matters is that you are healthy enough for the travel and the work.
3. Do I need experience, or any Hindi?
Not for most programs. Project staff and your coordinator show you the ropes, English gets you by at the projects and around both cities, and you pick up a few Hindi phrases at orientation. The exceptions: the medical internship is for students of medicine, nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy and pre-med, and teaching and childcare in Jaipur ask for intermediate English.
4. Can I come with a friend, my partner or my family?
Yes. Let us know who is coming when you apply, and we will keep you together wherever we can. The age rules apply to each person, so everyone needs to be 17 or older. We have more on volunteering as a group.
Booking and paying
5. How do I sign up, and how early should I apply?
Pick your program, apply online and pay the booking deposit to secure your place. We confirm by email, usually within 7 to 10 days. The balance is due 45 days before you start, or on confirmation if you book later than that. Delhi programs begin on two Sundays a month and Jaipur programs every Sunday. If a school or university calendar fixes your dates, apply early so you can book flights with confidence.
6. What does it cost, and what’s included?
Programs start from $495 for one week, and the booking deposit counts toward that price rather than being added on top. The price covers pre-departure information, airport pickup, orientation, accommodation, the meals listed for your city, your placement, a local coordinator, support at any hour and, if you ask, a certificate of participation. Flights, your visa, insurance, vaccinations, local transport and weekend trips are extra. See what’s included, and if you wonder why volunteering costs money at all, here is where your money goes.
7. Which documents will you ask for?
Once you have applied, we ask for your travel insurance details and, if you will work with children or vulnerable adults, a clean criminal background check issued within 12 months of your start date. Seventeen-year-olds also send the parental consent form, and medical interns send a CV, proof of enrollment and a copy of their passport. Background checks take several weeks in some countries, so request yours early.
Before you fly
8. What visa do I need?
The usual route is India’s e-Visa, which you apply for online ahead of your trip. Make sure your passport has two empty pages and stays valid for six months beyond the date you fly home. Requirements change from time to time, so read the official Indian government e-Visa site before applying. Once you have booked, we send you guidance, plus a supporting letter if your application needs one.
9. Do I need vaccinations?
Ask a travel clinic, ideally six to eight weeks before you leave; they can advise on your own medical history and the latest recommendations. Most travelers don’t need any vaccination to enter India, but clinics often suggest hepatitis A and typhoid, and a check that your routine shots are current. Ask about protection from mosquito-borne illnesses too, and pack a good insect repellent.
10. Is travel insurance really necessary?
Yes. It is compulsory on every program, even a one-week stay. Look for a policy that covers medical treatment in India, emergency evacuation and every day of your trip, weekend trips included, and check that it doesn’t exclude volunteering. Our travel insurance page has a checklist.
11. What should I pack?
Loose, light clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, closed shoes for project days, a scarf, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, a refillable bottle and any medicines you take. Delhi provides bedding but not towels, so bring one. If you are coming between December and February, add a warm layer for cold mornings and evenings. A full packing list arrives with your pre-departure information.
Arriving and living in India
12. Will someone meet me when I land?
Yes. On Delhi programs, our coordinator meets you at Indira Gandhi International Airport between 8am and 8pm on your start date; in Jaipur, at the airport or the railway station. Send us your travel details beforehand. Over your first days you have a half-day orientation on safety, culture, transport and dress, and your coordinator goes with you to your project the first time.
13. Where will I stay?
Delhi volunteers live at a hostel in South Delhi, near a Metro station, alongside volunteers from our other projects. You share a room with volunteers of the same gender, with air-conditioning in the hot months, and a room of your own can be arranged at extra cost. In Jaipur, you choose between our volunteer house in the north of the city, with shared rooms, Wi-Fi, hot water and air coolers, and a room with a local host family.
14. What is the food like, and can you cater for my diet?
Expect home-style vegetarian cooking: dal, vegetable curries, rice and roti. Delhi includes breakfast and dinner from Monday to Saturday; on project days you buy lunch near your placement, and Sundays are for eating your way around the city. Jaipur includes three meals a day. If you need gluten-free or lactose-free food, or have another special diet, tell us before you travel and we will do our best.
15. What should I wear?
Comfortable, modest clothes: shoulders and knees covered, nothing tight or see-through, and closed shoes for your project. An Indian cotton kurta from a local market is cheap and cooler than most Western clothes. Keep a scarf handy for covering your head at gurdwaras such as the Golden Temple, and expect to take your shoes off at temples. Our post on what to wear while volunteering has more tips.
16. Will my phone work, and how much money should I bring?
Get an Indian SIM card in your first day or two; your coordinator can help with the setup, and local data makes maps, ride-hailing apps and calls home simple. Cash machines are easy to find in Delhi and Jaipur, but carry small notes for auto-rickshaws and market stalls. Everyday costs such as lunch and Metro fares are low. Most volunteers spend more on weekend trips, monument tickets and shopping.
17. Is it safe, and who do I call if something goes wrong?
A local team makes a big difference. We pick you up, house you in places we know well and use orientation to explain customs, transport and what to avoid. Common sense does the rest: keep valuables out of sight, use trusted transport and go out in groups after dark. If anything goes wrong, our team answers at any hour, and your pre-departure information lists the numbers you need. Read our safety tips for volunteers before you go.
Free time
18. Will I have time to travel?
Plenty. Project days run Monday to Friday, which leaves your evenings and weekends free. Our weekend trips go to the Taj Mahal, around the Golden Triangle, and by train to Amritsar and Varanasi, with transport, hotels and guides arranged. If you would rather travel independently, your coordinator can help you plan the journey.
Still have a question? Our full FAQ page covers more ground, or email info@volunteeringindia.com and our team in New Delhi will get back to you.