Frequently Asked Questions

CIVS Kenya is a duly registered organization in Kenya offering voluntary services since it started operations in 1997. We are also verified by a number of international volunteer travel portals, including Go Overseas and Go Abroad, and you can read reviews from past volunteers. Our team has over 24 years of experience in supporting more than 119,000 volunteers from over 100 different countries around the world. You can learn more about their experiences via our social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. If you wish to speak with a member of our team to learn more about our volunteer programs, please feel free to contact us.

No, you don’t need special skills to volunteer. However, CIVS Kenya has some requirements to be fulfilled by its volunteers: 

• Age: above 18 years of age(If you are below 18  years you need written consent from a guardian) 
• A positive attitude towards independent progress  of others 
• A willingness to adapt to local conditions 
• A desire to interact and understand other  people’s culture and philosophy of life 
• Be open-minded and willing to freely exchange  ideas, information, and experiences without imposing your own values on others

These simple ideas will make your time in Kenya a great success for you, your project and the community.

Yes you can. You can get your e-Visa before your arrival via a dedicated portal at ecitizen.go.ke. No visa is issued upon arrival due to Covid-19 pandemic. 

The tourist visa for Kenya is valid for 90 days and in some instances it’s for only 30 days. Upon arrival at the airport’s immigration section, it is important to mention that you have applied and need to be issued with three months visa if you are staying for moe than one month.

Yes, you likely need to be vaccinated. Depending on your country of residence, you are required to take some vaccinations before you can enter Kenya. You should contact your preferred medical practice to be consulted on all medical issues. Please prepare on time, as some vaccinations need several injections.

To keep our volunteers, staff and local communities safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, all volunteers must present a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival at their program. We accept both Lateral Flow tests and PCR tests. This must have been dated from within the last 72 hours and is a requirement regardless of whether you have been vaccinated against Covid-19 or not. We strongly encourage our volunteers to be fully vaccinated before starting their trip, but since the availability of vaccines varies by country we do not currently require our volunteers to have been vaccinated. For more information on how we keep you safe, visit our Covid-19 page.

Yes, you can. CIVS Kenya offers an opportunity for physical challenged persons and for conventional purposes we shall ask you to tell us about your disability in your application. This is aimed at enabling us place you and the most appropriate project that you will be able to maximize your skills and knowledge.

Yes, you can come with your friends. Usually, we try not to place too many people from the same country in one project. If you wish to be placed together with a friend, please indicate it clearly be in the applications for both of you.

Make copies! Important documents (passport, data page, and visa documents, credit cards, travel in-surance policy, air/bus/train tickets, driving license, etc.) should be photocopied before you leave home. Leave one copy safely back at home and keep another with you, separate from the originals. We strongly advise you to leave a copy of your passport and your visa at the CIVS Kenya office.