United States Projects ~ Volunteers Traveling Within The US

Thank you for your interest in International Voluntary Service. You are about to join a worldwide family of volunteers.

As you can imagine, there are many types of work available because projects arise from the grassroots local community needs. Most projects are 2-3 weeks long, which have been known historically as International Workcamps. Plan on working approximately 5 hours per day. There are no more than two volunteers of any one nationality in a US project.  Accommodations vary widely, but usually volunteers share the same living space in community building, doing all their own cleaning and food preparation on a rotating basis.

US projects are open to anyone age 18 and up although our volunteer's average ages are 18-28, we welcome volunteers of all ages. 

Foreign Entry Requirments

VOLUNTEERS FOR VISA WAIVER COUNTRIES

International travelers who are seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program are now subject to enhanced security requirements. All eligible travelers who wish to travel under the Visa Waiver Program must use the online application process at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

You MUST complete your application online before traveling !!

VISA WAIVER COUNTRIES

Warning: Visa waiver travelers from ALL 27 Visa Waiver Program coutnries must present a machine readable passport at the U.S. port of entry to enter the U.S. without a visa; otherwise a U.S. visa is required.

VOLUNTEERS FROM CANADA

All travelers entering the United States must have a valid passport!

ALL OTHER VOLUNTEERS

MUST apply for a B1/B2 visitor visa in advance, through the US embassy in their country of residence.  In general, volunteers must attend an interview where they will be asked to show evidence demonstrating their intent to return to their home country at the end of the visit.  You will also be required to give digital fingerprints.  The application fee is $131 and there may be additional fees due on issuance of the visa, depending on your country of origin. 

VFP provides support documentation for all volunteers applying for visas. The following website lists approximate wait times for interview appointments at US embassies worldwide:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php

You should allow at least one week after the interview for visa processing. 

Read the US State Department E-journal for Visitors to the USA:http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

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Passport Requirements

All incoming foreign national travelers, regardless of age, country or type of passport used, must present a machine-readable passport. 

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Getting Around the United States

AIR ~

Unlike Europe, the U.S. has limited low-cost airlines. You can look for domestic flights in the US below

AirTran

Expedia

Jetblue

Kayak

Orbitz

Sidestep

Southwest

Travelocity

TRAIN ~

AMTRAK

BUS ~

Greyhound

Boltbus

Megabus

DC2NY

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Getting Around Your Arrival City

Yikes!! Now what?  – check out these city site

Boston ~

Logan Airport

Los Angeles~
LAX

New York ~

JFK Airport
Newark Airport

San Francisco ~

San Fancisco International

Washington DC ~

Dulles or Reagan Airports

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Where to Stay

Servas ~ A membership-based, worldwide Host & Traveler Network - $85 for Int’l Travel – Plan Ahead if you want to use this organization.

Couchsurfing  A worldwide network for making connections between travelers and the local communities they visit

Hostelling International USA

USA Hostels

HostelWorld

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Preparation & Resources

Discover America

Lonely Planet Guidebook

Lonely Planet Online Guide to the USA

Rough Guide Guidebook & Website

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Currency Converter

XE.com

MSN

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English Language Study in the USA

VFP does not vouch for these companies.

American Language Communication Center ~ in New York City

Bridge Linguatec ~ Immersion course in Denver, Colorado

Education Worldwide Online ~ In most every State in the USA

Study in the USA

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General Health & Insurance

Health Care in the US is excellent but expensive. You must have insurance to participate in a US workcamp – either from your home policy or a traveler’s policy. Minimal coverage is provided to volunteers while they are in the actual workcamp but not while in transit.   VFP/SCI Insurance Policy

For more information about diseases, vaccines, and travel-related issues, visit these sites:

World Health Organization

Center For Disease Control

US Department of State, Travel Information

Insurance Websites ~

Columbus Direct 

CSA Travel Protection

Global Health Insurers  

Global Rescue  

E-Global Health Insurers 

JS Insurance – EU Residents   

STA Travel – Insurance

SquareMouth Travel Insurance

Travelex Insurance Services

Travel World Insurance

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Safety & Security

The USA is not a dangerous place!: Forget what you saw in the movies. You are safe in the USA. Learning a little about our cultural differences is the only "weapon" you'll need for trouble-free travel. Despite the news reports about tourist troubles on Florida highways and the availability of handguns, the United States is a relatively safe place. Remember: the "horror stories" make interesting news because they are unusual events. The typical crime victim in the USA is not a sweet little grandmother or a European tourist. Most crime victims are single, unemployed, young men. Members of their own families usually kill murder victims. Our gun crimes scare people. Some people even avoid a trip to the USA for fear of a bullet. Don't worry, you will find little danger. All cities have "good" and "bad" areas. Talk to locals to get an idea of where the "bad" areas are located and avoid them especially at night. "Drive-by" shootings only occur in the neighborhoods full of gang conflicts. Most Americans have never seen a shooting except in the movies.

You won't find many tourist offices in the USA: You will not find many Tourist Information Offices to assist you The International Youth Hostel Association has facilities across the United States. If you are an IYA member, get a guide to services in the USA before leaving home. Finding the right place to stay is the most important step that you can take to have a safe happy trip.

Try to plan your accommodations in advance!: Sleeping in train stations or bus stations is generally not accepted in the USA. In some train stations, the police will wake you. Safe travel through the United States requires planning --- getting off a bus or a train at night and seeking lodging may not be a good idea. Try to plan your accommodations in advance.

Stay off private property!: Do not camp on private land and do not camp beside the highway. Private property in the United States of America is very private indeed, public footpaths do not cross fields, and there isn't always a right of access available to reach lakeshores or other desirable places. Use only public beaches, marked trails and State or National Parks. Consult a guidebook for designated wilderness areas where free camping is permitted. In most areas, you will also find commercial campgrounds.

Some caution for single women travelers: Attitudes toward women in the USA are different from customs in some other countries. Women entering a bar or even a restaurant or café alone can be perceived as "looking for company." Women alone, or even in pairs, may wish to avoid places that have a mostly male crowd. If a place makes you uncomfortable - leave!

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Local Embassies

Where is your local Embassy at home or when abroad? 

Try Embassy World ~ Site offers a great searchable database.

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