» Application Process

Application Process

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Detailed information about expenses, air travel, housing arrangements, visas, immunizations, etc., is available in our Volunteer Orientation Handbook . Please also check our Life in the Galapagos and our FAQ for more information.

Stage I – Application

E-mail application materials should be sent to volunteer@galapagosice.org.
(Save each form to your computer, edit and save your information, and send the completed form as an e-mail attachment. Note: Depending on your internet connection speed, forms may take a moment to open.)

IMPORTANT: Please send Volunteer Application and resume in the same e-mail.

E-mail a completed Volunteer Application Form. If you represent a group, please use the Group Application Form and check for more information on the Groups page.
Note: A group is a number greater or equal to 5 individuals brought together via a professional connection (i.e. a group of dentists,…) or via a school/university connection (i.e. high school students, business school students,…) For groups we only need one application form. You should assign a group leader who will be the single point of contact with Galapagos ICE during the application process. All documents and payments should occur for the entire group, rather than per person.
With your application please send your resumé/CV in English and Spanish (No longer than four pages, please. We recommend you use Google Translate or Yahoo Bablefish for the Spanish translation.)
Provide two letters of recommendation, sent directly from the authors, preferably via e-mail to volunteer@galapagosice.org, with complete contact information to allow us to follow up directly.
Submit the $50 Application Fee (per person) which can be paid at: Application Fee

Stage II – Acceptance-Final Volunteer Forms

If Galapagos ICE approves your application, we will notify you by e-mail, and request that you complete the following acceptance paperwork within 30 days, unless otherwise indicated.

IMPORTANT: Please download the Volunteer Agreement Instructions prior to sending any information. All Stage II information should be sent in the same e-mail.

E-mail a color scan of each participant’s passport or a readable digital color photograph of your passport.
E-mail a completed Health & Housing Form for each participant.
Send flight information to Galapagos ICE.
Provide proof of travel insurance for each participant at least 14 days before your arrival date (optional).
After reading the Volunteer Agreement Instructions, send all information necessary from the Volunteer Agreement for each participant.
Send all of the information to volunteer@galapagosice.org at least 6 weeks prior to your arrival.

Stage III –Waiver

After your materials are complete, we will assemble a formal request to legalize your volunteer service in the Islands, and to waive the $100 Galapagos National Park Fee. You must make sure that you give us six weeks to get this through the system. If you submit your paperwork less than six weeks prior to your arrival you will be liable for a late fee of $50 in order to get the necessary documents through on time.

Stage IV –Upon Arrival

Upon arrival in the island you should come straight to the Galapagos ICE office, where a Galapagos ICE representative will welcome you and transfer you to your accommodation. Please aim to arrive on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday as this helps us with your orientation program. See our Guide to Getting Here for more details.
Shortly after the day of your arrival you will receive an orientation presentation at the Galapagos ICE office.

During orientation you will be required to pay your program fee and your homestay.