FAQs

Applying

Are there any costs associated with applying to the Peace Corps?

There are no application fees, and there are no fees associated with visas, passports, or plane tickets for candidates invited to serve. There are costs associated with mandatory medical screening for some applicants before being invited to serve, and all applicants who receive a formal invitation to serve. The Peace Corps provides modest cost sharing for some medical screening expenses incurred after candidates accept an invitation. More information about cost sharing is given to applicants at the time of invitation.

Can I serve with my unmarried partner?

Yes. The Peace Corps accepts unmarried couples in committed domestic partnerships. Couples who have been in a committed relationship for at least a year before they begin service are better able to adapt to the challenges of the Peace Corps. Unmarried couples seeking to serve as a couple must attest to their committed domestic partner relationship as part of their applications. 

See more information on how to apply as a couple.

Do I need a college degree?

Opportunities are available for individuals with a combination of relative job experience and education, though most opportunities require a four-year degree.

Do I need to speak a foreign language?

Language requirements vary by job opportunity, and any requirements will be listed in the job opening. Search the Volunteer Openings page for specific requirements.

How do I check the status of my Peace Corps application?

Log into the applicant portal and navigate to your application status page.

How many active applications can I have?

You can submit one application at a time, either for a specific position or to be considered for programs where you are needed most. You can also apply again for future programs if you are not selected for the position to which you applied. Search Volunteer Openings for Volunteer opportunities available now.

Peace Corps Response (PCR) applicants can have up to three active applications at the same time. If you are interested in both PCR and the Peace Corps Volunteer program, you can have three PCR applications and one Peace Corps Volunteer program application active at the same time.

I accidentally deleted or lost an email communication directing me to the next step in the application process. How do I find what I need to do?

Log into your applicant portal and navigate to the email history page. There, you'll see the next task you need to complete.

I have a question about a task in the Onboarding Portal.

Email the respective contact for the activity or form you have a question about. If there isn't a specific contact email, send your question to [email protected].

I'm having technical difficulties completing my application. What do I do?

Click on the “Help” tab in the applicant portal, or send an email describing your exact technical difficulties to [email protected]

Is there an age limit to serving in the Peace Corps?

No, there is no upper age limit to Peace Corps service. However, Volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years old to serve.

I've logged into the Medical Applicant Portal before, but I forgot my password.

Use the Reset Your Password link, just below the entry field for your login and password. You will need your username (your email address) and your candidate reference number to reset your password.

I want to serve with my spouse/partner. How do we apply?

Couples are accepted in Peace Corps service programs. However, placement options and application time may vary for each. To place a couple we must first identify specific communities that can accommodate couples with adequate work to support two Volunteers, then match that couple with communities that have requested their skill combination. For these reasons, it is more difficult to find assignments and placement generally takes longer for couples than for individuals. 

  • Peace Corps Volunteer: Couples should search for openings in the same country that match both of their skill sets and that accept couples. Couples need to submit individual applications and, in the application, indicate that they are applying to serve with their spouse/domestic partner. Couples should submit their applications at the same time. 
  • Peace Corps Response: Couples can serve together, but must apply to individual job postings separately. 

Contact a recruiter for more information.

The Medical Applicant Portal does not recognize my login.

If you attempt to login unsuccessfully more than six times, your account will be locked and you will need to email [email protected] to have it unlocked. When contacting us, include your name and your seven-digit candidate reference number. Don't forget to make sure you are using the correct email address. If you have a different email address than the one on your resume, try that one as well.