Requirements for GV participation

Construction skills/experience is NOT required. Please read the following carefully before applying to join a GV build.

Age 

Any person 18 years or older of sound health in body and mind is eligible to participate. There is no maximum age limit. 

Language skills 

Conversational English ability is highly encouraged. Teams MUST appoint a team leader with a TOEIC score of 600 or equivalent English ability as the team leader who acts as point of contact in English with local coordinators. 


All participants must agree to the following :

  • Habitat for Humanity is not a travel agency. Habitat and Volunteers cooperate to create the Global Village experience as partners, with each fulfilling their respective roles and responsibilities.
  • The Global Village program has been developed based on Habitat for Humanity's vision of "a world where everybody has a decent place to live", and operates based on the principles of Habitat. Participation in the program necessitates understanding and respect for this vision and Habitat policies.
  • In order to meet the needs of hosting countries, Habitat Japan may not always be able to meet the requests of a given GV team.
  • All participants must read our Safeguarding Policies and Code of Conduct and understand their contents. All participants must agree to and sign our Release and Waiver of Liability Form.
  • Habitat for Humanity Japan is not able to support any procedures for traveling abroad including visa application. It is each team's responsibility to confirm with relevant embassies and government bodies concerning visa requirements .

* Habitat Japan, however, may issue a letter of recommendation, if required, for participants to submit alongside visa applications (Habitat Japan can NOT provide notarized documents).　All teams must have 12 or more members to participate in the program. In the case of an 'open team', individual volunteers may be appointed after consultation.

Team leaders and sub-leaders must agree to the following :

  • All team leaders and sub-leaders must attend team leaders training.
    ※Habitat Japan conducts the training in Japanese ( English translation is available if required) for the new GV leaders and sub-leaders twice a year in Tokyo and remotely online. For details on training, please contact Habitat Japan office <info@habitatjp.org>．
  • To participate in a GV trip, team leaders and sub-leaders must understand and agree to fulfill the role of team leader or sub-leader.
  • Team leaders must discuss and take charge of their teams’ travel arrangements, of which a sending coordinator from Habitat Japan may offer advice. 

Join GV

Work hand-in-hand with families in need of decent, affordable housing and have a truly transformative experience

Form a GV team

Gather your own team of 12 or more members for a GV build. Find out more.

Join as an individual

Want to build but don't have a team? You can still take part. Find out more.

Hosting countries

Find out where you can travel and build.

Safety management

Habitat monitors the latest security information and takes action to ensure our volunteers’ safety and well-being. Read our guidelines.

Useful information

Download key documents on what you need to know about GV.