The 9 [Best Cheap] Asia Volunteer Programs Providers 2024

Do you want to visit one of the many amazing destinations in Asia? Would you like your Asian adventure to be more than just travel and leave something positive behind in the process? Are you struggling to find a reputable and quality organization to facilitate your volunteer in Asia experience? Then you’ve come to the right place!

Volunteering abroad can be an intimidating experience. This is especially true if it’s your first time traveling as a volunteer, or if you’re planning on volunteering in a part of the world you’ve never visited before. Sadly, there are many organizations and companies that are only interested in making a quick buck, rather than providing impactful and rewarding volunteer experiences for everyone involved.

To help make sure that your volunteer work in Asia is as rewarding, fulfilling, and impactful as possible, we have compiled a list of the 9 best organizations offering volunteer projects in Asia, as well as the countries that their best programs take place in. Read on and arm yourself with all the information you need to choose, ensuring that your volunteer work and experience is the best it can possibly be!

Join countless volunteers who are making a meaningful difference while traveling. Asia is an ideal location to do this, and the amazing sights can only be rivaled by the great impact you’ll make.

IFRE Volunteers

Founded in 2006 in Dallas, Texas, IFRE Volunteers have facilitated the successful volunteer experiences of more than 22,000 volunteers from all over the world. They offer programs across several continents and becoming a volunteer in Asia with the organization guarantees an incredibly rewarding and impactful experience while volunteering abroad. IFRE Volunteers has over 200 projects in over 18 countries so there are plenty of opportunities up for grabs!

IFRE Volunteers Top Volunteers Programs in Asia

IFRE Volunteers has a wide selection of volunteer programs for you to choose from. Every one of them is as impactful and meaningful as they can get.

Volunteer in Nepal – Nepal is famous worldwide for the staggering natural beauty of the Himalayas.  Despite its natural beauty, Nepal struggles with crushing poverty and the other societal problems that come with it. With IFRE you can engage in a variety of projects to help the most disadvantaged members of Nepalese society. From working with orphaned children to teaching English and helping conserve crucial animal species, you can really make an impactful difference through your social work.

Volunteer in Bali – Bali is a tropical island paradise that is perfect for those looking for volunteer opportunities in Asia. Starting at $250, you can help save endangered sea turtles, teach English or even do a combination of both! Whether your passion is for animals or people, you will be able to make a huge difference here while on the adventure of a lifetime.

Volunteer in Cambodia – You, as a volunteer, can aid humanitarian efforts in Cambodia and help the people recover from a dark, bloody and devastating past. IFRE offers a range of projects in Cambodia, from orphanage work to teaching to HIV/AIDS awareness and more. These opportunities are also very affordable, starting as low as $350.

IFRE Volunteers Fees

IFRE Volunteers is an incredibly well-reputed organization, owing to their affordable prices and satisfactory services. Their Asia volunteer programs are even more affordable than programs in other continents. After paying a registration fee of $299, program fees can range anywhere from $150 – $350 for a week of volunteering.

IFRE Volunteers Reviews

IFRE Volunteers has always earned high praise from its past volunteers and customers. They are masters at organizing a memorable and satisfying volunteer trip to Asia. You can even read some of their past volunteer reviews on their website. IFRE Volunteers has 116 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of IFRE Volunteers on Go Overseas.

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)

Founded in 2007, International Volunteers HQ (IVHQ) is a New Zealand-based organization that offers volunteer trips to over 40 destinations worldwide. Their four core values (or pillars) of Responsibility, Innovation, Trust and Awesomeness combined with their extremely affordable fees make them an ideal candidate for you to volunteer in Asia with. Moreover, they have teams of incredibly passionate and experienced individuals that are always eager to help out in humanitarian efforts. IVHQ has served more than 100,000 volunteers, and we highly recommend you become part of that ever-growing number.

IVHQ Top Volunteer Programs in Asia

IVHQ has successful operations in many countries, including in Asia, and you’ll not regret taking any one of their numerous volunteer programs.

Volunteer in Bali – IVHQ’s volunteer projects in Bali are located in Ubud, the cultural center of Bali, or the town of Lovina on the north side of Bali known for its coral reefs, dolphins, and black sand beaches. Starting at $350, you can take part in projects primarily focused on children in kindergartens, schools, or community renovation at an extremely affordable price.

Volunteer in China – The ancient city of Xi’an, home of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, is a must-see for any aspiring traveler. IVHQ’s projects in the region include teaching, special needs care, and more, and their rates are quite inexpensive. You can join one of their programs for as little as $350!

Volunteer in Laos – Located in Honkau Village near Vientiane, the capital of Laos, IVHQ’s volunteer programs in the country are a great way to experience the beautiful nature and fascinating and diverse culture of Laos while helping people in need. As a volunteer, you can assist struggling rural communities in a variety of ways from teaching to construction, providing you with a fantastic opportunity to fulfill your passion for humanitarian work of all kinds.

IVHQ Fees

IVHQ is one of the world’s leading volunteer organizations and they managed to secure the top spot partly because of their affordable program rates. Their registration fee must be paid in advance and costs $329. Program fees for a week can start as low as $285.

IVHQ Reviews

IVHQ has been applauded and praised not only by volunteers but by many other organizations and even by the media! Their volunteer work in Asia has definitely proved fruitful and aided the lives of many. You can check out more volunteer reviews on their own website. IVHQ has 2,227 reviews on Go Overseas and 1,675 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of IVHQ on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of IVHQ on Go Abroad.

Plan My Gap Year (PGMY)

Founded in 2011 by volunteers and for volunteers, Plan My Gap Year (PGMY) works closely with local communities to ensure that you make the greatest possible impact when you volunteer abroad. With incredibly low fees, PGMY is one of the most affordable volunteer organizations offering programs in Asia. It doesn’t end there, as PGMY has a staggering 96% score on Go Overseas with more than 300 reviews. This proves that their commitment to in-depth support, structured programs, and transparency are resonating with volunteers from all over the world, and they are definitely an organization you should look at closely.

PMGY Top Volunteer Programs in Asia

Through PMGY’s volunteer programs, you’ll contribute plenty to communities while also making new friends and establishing connections with people from all around the world.

Volunteer in Bali – PGMY’s volunteer work in Southeast Asia in Bali takes place in the traditional town of Tabanan, known for its lush green scenery and stunning tea plantations. Here, they run an impressive range of programs covering every type of passion from rescuing wildlife to teaching and everything in between.

Volunteer in Cambodia – Located in the rural province of Takeo, roughly 1 hour south of Phnom Penh, PGMY’s volunteer opportunities in Asia of the Cambodian variety are focused on teaching English to disadvantaged children living in this rural community. With fees as low as $375, PGMY is a great option for those wishing to see a less touristy side of Cambodia while making a difference for communities that are often overlooked by society at large.

Volunteer in Thailand – Despite a booming tourism sector, large parts of Thailand see little benefit from this growth as they are not on the traditional tourist trails. Like all of PGMY’s volunteer programs, the projects in Thailand are as inexpensive as they come. This means that joining one of their volunteer projects, whether it’s teaching English, working with elephants, wildlife rescue, childcare, or one of the many other programs, is an incredibly cost-effective way of getting to see another side of Thailand that most travelers don’t even know to exist.

PMGY Fees

After paying an initial registration fee of $249, PMGY’s affordable program fees in the countries mentioned above can range anywhere from $275 – $575. These fees will cover your accommodation, meals, in-country support, program orientation and volunteer certificate.

PMGY Reviews

PMGY has a long list of impressive reviews and top-notch ratings under its belt. Your volunteer experience in Asia will be as smooth and as memorable as possible with PMGY at your side. IF you still have some doubt, read some of the past volunteer reviews on PMGY’s website. This top-tier organization has 404 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of PMGY on Go Overseas.

Global Crossroad

Founded in Dallas, Texas in 2003, Global Crossroad (GCR) has enabled more than 22,000 volunteers to fulfill their dreams of traveling the world while leaving behind them a positive impact on the places they visit. Their projects have been well received by past volunteers and the company is continually improving their services and provisions. If you want to volunteer in Asia, you cannot go wrong with any of GCR’s fantastic programs. They are featured in most of our lists, and for good reason, as their programs are excellently organized and structured.

Global Crossroad Top Volunteer Programs in Asia

Regardless of your passion or desired impact, you will find a project with GCR that suits you perfectly, and they should absolutely be on your short-list of volunteer abroad organizations to consider.

Volunteer in Sri Lanka – The beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka is a popular destination for both travelers and those looking to volunteer abroad. Global Crossroad is one of the most active volunteer organizations in Sri-Lanka with projects ranging from elephant conservation to orphanage work and everything in-between. GCR’s projects are located in Galle, Kegalle, and Pinnawala, meaning you have the option of staying in the interior or right on the country’s famous coastline.

Volunteer in Nepal – If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing mighty Mt. Everest, then volunteering in Nepal with GCR might be just the volunteer work in Asia you’ve always wanted to do. Starting at an incredibly cheap $150, GCR is a great choice for prospective volunteers without a large budget. The wide variety of programs like teaching English to monks deep in the mountains or in Kathmandu, and much more, makes volunteering with this organization a very attractive proposition indeed.

Volunteer in Thailand – GCR offers programs in both Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the country filled with spectacular ruins, and the province of Surin located deep in the off-the-beaten-track region of eastern Thailand where rolling hills, dense forests, and amazing trekking opportunities abound. For as little as $260, volunteers can travel to one of these exciting destinations in Thailand with GCR and make an incredibly positive impact on the lives of entire communities there.

Global Crossroad Fees

Global Crossroad is one of the most inexpensive volunteer organizations on our list. They charge a standard registration fee of $299, and program fees can start as low as $150! Even though they have some of the most inexpensive fees, they absolutely do not sacrifice on essential facilities – volunteers will have a most comfortable and secure trip with GCR.

Global Crossroad Reviews

Global Crossroad is one of the best volunteer organizations in Asia and it is reflected in their widely positive reviews and ratings. Many volunteers have a history of coming back a second-time due to GCR’s organization and placement. This outstanding company has 94 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of Global Crossroad on Go Overseas

Love Volunteers (LV)

Love Volunteers is a top-rated international volunteer organization with many years of service under its belt. Love Volunteers was founded by a brother and sister duo, Julian and Kelly, as a response to the often-exorbitant fees charged by many less reputable volunteering organizations around the world. With a focus on transparency and cost-efficiency, Love Volunteers prides itself on providing a safe and secure way to volunteer in Asia without any hidden fees, and have served thousands of volunteers in this way since their inception in 2007.

Love Volunteers Top Volunteer Programs in Asia

Love Volunteers is often present in most of our lists of affordable programs. Their programs are carefully crafted and provide insane value for the money. Check some of their best programs out:

Volunteer in Vietnam – Love Volunteers’ programs take place in the two large cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, located in the country’s north and south respectively. These are exciting destinations that make for perfect places to partake in volunteer work in Southeast Asia. You can partake in programs intended to teach English to disadvantaged kids, support children with disabilities, and much more. Overall, Love Volunteers is an excellent choice for volunteer work in Vietnam.

Volunteer in Cambodia – Love Volunteers arranges various projects in Cambodia, all located in the capital city of Phnom Penh. Their projects are varied, with exciting and unique programs such as a law internship; distinguishing it from much of the competition providing volunteer opportunities in Southeast Asia. There are also various community development programs and a medical internship for interested individuals.

Volunteer in India – If you’re looking to do your volunteer work in India, then Love Volunteers has a great list of options for programs in Delhi, Jaipur and Haryana. India is notorious for its slums and poverty-ridden communities. You can get involved in some excellent street children support programs, education programs for the under-privileged and a medical internship that’ll provide you with some invaluable field experience.

Love Volunteers Fees

Since the company is built on affordability and transparency, you can expect greatly reduced and inexpensive prices with Love Volunteers. They also charge a standard registration fee of $299. Besides that, their volunteer work in Asia will usually cost you between $300 and $900, depending on the length of your stay.

Love Volunteers Reviews

Many volunteers have expressed deep gratitude towards the company and past volunteers speak fondly of their volunteer experience in Asia. If you don’t believe us, you are fully welcome to check out their volunteer reviews yourself. Love Volunteers has 140 reviews on Go Overseas and 271 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of Love Volunteers on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of Love Volunteers on Go Abroad.

A Broader View Volunteers

A Broader View (ABV) is a 501 c (3) volunteer organization founded in Pennsylvania, USA in 2007. Their primary focus is to provide people with a mix of interesting and immersive cultural experiences with impactful volunteer travel experiences. ABV excels at what they do and you’ll definitely benefit a lot from booking a trip with them. They run 345 volunteer projects in over 32 countries and we think their volunteer programs in Asia are some of the best they offer.

A Broader View Top Volunteer Programs in Asia

ABV has plenty of options for you to choose from when it comes to volunteer programs. You can choose the ones that fit your needs, interests and budget.

Volunteer in Nepal – Nepal is a magical place, probably placed at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists. ABV has some excellent volunteer opportunities in Nepal. If you’re a medical student, you can work in numerous medical/pre-med/veterinary programs available. There are also programs for teaching English to monks, looking after the elderly and assisting in childcare in orphanages.

Volunteer in India – India is an amazing country that any intrepid traveler should see at least once. With ABV’s presence in India, you take part in varied volunteer opportunities from animal rescue to female empowerment, elephant conservation, and much more. Prices start at $860, which given the lack of registration fees and high quality is quite affordable.

Volunteer in Mongolia – Mongolia is a unique country, home to vast plains and nomadic cultures. Not many can say that they have visited this magical land, but by joining one of ABV’s incredible programs in Ulaanbaatar, the nation’s capital, you can be one of the few. Among their programs are childcare, special needs education, and several internships related to medical work such as midwifery, nursing, and shadowing local doctors.

A Broader View Fees

A Broader View is a company that has always chosen impact over capitalistic gains. They charge no registration fee and all of their project cost is basically compiled into a single sum, with variations between projects and duration of stay. Usually, it costs around $860 – $890 for a week of volunteering in Asia and around $900 – $1100 for 2 weeks.

A Broader View Reviews

A Broader View is an excellent organization in terms of pricing, services and reviews. Past volunteers rave about the experience they were given by A Broader View. You can read some of the volunteer reviews on their website. A Broader View has 178 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of A Broader View on Go Overseas.

Global Vision International

Global Vision International is a highly-esteemed volunteer organization founded in 1998 with a commitment to high-quality sustainable development. They have received awards and recognition from several prestigious organizations like Save the Children and Stanford University, and several publications such as National Geographic has featured them. GVI is working on a range of both, community and conservation, projects that are highly impactful and have driven growth and development in struggling communities. Without a doubt, GVI is a great choice if you’re looking to volunteer in Asia.

GVI Top Volunteer Programs in Asia

You will be blown away by the range of volunteer opportunities in Asia that GVI has lying for you. Each one of them can be once-in-a-lifetime experiences if you put your heart into it!

Volunteer in Cambodia – Cambodia is a country filled with amazing culture and countless historical ruins and sights to see. GVI’s projects are located in Siem Reap, an ideally central location. As a volunteer, you’ll work in areas related to early childhood development, childcare, education, women empowerment and community development.

Volunteer in Nepal – Volunteering in Nepal is an ideal option for people who love hiking, nature, and wildlife.  With GVI’s help, you can take part in various volunteer opportunities in Nepal such as women’s empowerment, teaching, and much more. In addition, some of the programs even come with treks to Everest Base Camp, which is an incredible experience for anyone.

Volunteer in Thailand – Thailand is a gorgeous location, a mix of land and sea that cannot be replicated by man or God. GVI’s environment conservation efforts in Thailand are worth considering as a volunteer. Their marine conservation program helps to preserve the native sea turtle population around Thailand. Besides that, you can also get involved with saving elephants, gibbons and all sorts of other creatures through their immersive projects!

GVI Fees

Though GVI’s programs are a bit pricier than other companies on this list, they make up for that by including a whole host of services, facilities and care protocols. GVI is a well-trusted organization and you can’t go wrong on their programs! Usually, their programs run for 2 weeks and cost about $2,000 – $2,500.

GVI Reviews

GVI is a company that holds international recognition and rightly so! So far, we haven’t found a single volunteer that has spoken badly about GVI. Your volunteer experience in Asia will surely be a blast with GVI at your side. Look at some of their volunteer testimonials before making a choice. GVI has 704 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of GVI on Go Overseas.

Involvement Volunteers International

Are you ready to volunteer with one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering? Involvement Volunteers International (IVI) is a world-renowned charity volunteer organization that was founded in 1989 in Australia. They are one of the first volunteer organizations to provide worldwide volunteering projects. The company began with the belief that we humans can work together for a good cause, empowering and uplifting each along the way. IVI still follows through with their vision by providing excellent volunteer in Asia opportunities that mustn’t be missed.

IVI Top Volunteer Programs in Asia

IVI provides volunteer projects in a variety of Asian countries. We recommend checking out their projects in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. All of these are closely-linked destinations with impactful volunteer programs for you to participate in.

Laos – Laos is a developing country that is struggling to meet even the most basic healthcare, education and employment standards. Many people suffer from extreme poverty in Laos. As a volunteer, you can get involved in 3 projects – a teaching English project where you teach young children from a rural town how to converse properly in English, a Kindergarten project where you’ll get to play and organize fun activities for growing kids and a construction project where you’ll renovate and decorate old temples and buildings around Laos.

Vietnam – IVI provides a ton of volunteer opportunities in Vietnam. It doesn’t matter what background you are from, there is a suitable program just waiting for you in Vietnam! There are English and Kindergarten teaching projects similar to Laos. On top of that, you can get involved in a special needs care project where you’ll help kids with disabilities experience some fun and joy in their lives. There is also a nutrition support project aimed at providing low-income households with safe, clean and nutritional food.

Cambodia – Rural villages in Cambodia are in desperate need of volunteers. From primary teaching to construction/renovation and community development, you’ll get involved in the very nitty-gritty of communal life with local Cambodians. Joining a community program of IVI will let you experience the culture of Cambodia like no other. There is also a conservation project regarding mangroves where you, as a volunteer, will help to restore mangrove plantations.

IVI Fees

Being one of the leaders of volunteering overseas, you can expect great things from IVI. Their program fees are quite affordable, and they charge an industry standard registration fee of $299. The featured countries above have program fees ranging from $375 – $475 for a week of volunteering in Asia.

IVI Reviews

IVI has long stood at the pinnacle of volunteering abroad and the company has never fallen off. Their volunteer programs are beautifully constructed to give their volunteers the most meaningful and culturally-fulfilling volunteer trip. Look at some of the volunteer testimonials of volunteers in Asia for more information on their website. IVI has 108 reviews on Go Overseas and 22 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of IVI on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of IVI on Go Abroad.

Gili Shark Conservation Project

Help protect the ocean with a diverse team of expert marine biologists, divers and volunteers working at the Gili Shark Conservation Project. This organization is based out of Gili Air, Indonesia and they are working hard to protect shark species in the waters around Indonesia. The project actively calls for volunteers to join their efforts in ensuring that the shark population remains healthy and active. A highly experienced team of divers and biologists are ever present to give volunteers a hand whenever they need. If you are a volunteer fond of the ocean, there is no better volunteer opportunity in Asia than the Gili Shark Conservation Project!

Gili Shark Conservation Project Top Volunteer Programs in Asia

This company operates locally out of Indonesia. There, they have a couple of different programs, from research to outreach, for volunteers to get involved in. Let’s take a closer look:

Indonesia – Sharks have been hunted, poached and exploited for far too long in the waters of Indonesia. Gili Shark Conservation Project aims to restore the shark population and moreover, restore some ecological soundness to the ocean around them. Volunteers can get involved in a Research Assistant Program, where they’ll learn to dive as well as learn different research techniques required for surveying and monitoring sharks and turtles; or, volunteers can work on the Divemaster Conservation Program where volunteers will be taught to become a PADI-certified divemaster helping out in surveys, data collection and coral restoration. Both of these volunteer opportunities are some of the most unique and fruitful volunteer opportunities in Asia when it comes to marine conservation.

Gili Shark Conservation Project Fees

This organization is highly transparent about their program fees, explaining every single detail about where the money goes. You might think that the price is a bit too high but for the work they do, the price is an absolute bargain! They do not charge a registration fee and their research assistant program are priced at $2,299 for 2 weeks and the divemaster course is priced at $5,149 for 5 weeks.

Gili Shark Conservation Project Reviews

A quick look online will show that the Gili Shark Conservation Project is one of the most sought-after volunteer projects in Asia when it comes to marine conservation. The organization has received raving reviews from past volunteers claiming that their experience there was one that they will never forget. You can check out more volunteer reviews on their website. The Gili Shark Conservation Project has 78 reviews on Go Overseas and 47 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of Gili Shark Conservation Project on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of Gili Shark Conservation Project on Go Abroad.

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