SAMPLE TIMELINE FOR NEW TRAVELERS

The entire registration process takes approximately three weeks.

Week 1: Obtain and Prepare Application Materials

• Request application materials by mail from the US Servas office or download them from this Web site.
• Study the materials and decide if you think Servas is right for you and for this trip.
• Obtain two brief character references.
• Complete the Traveler application form (called the “Letter of Introduction”) including a short, personal essay on yourself and your travel objectives, using space on the back if necessary.
• Attach passport-style photos of the traveler(s), one to the original and one to the copy. Make two photocopies of your completed Letter of Introduction, one each for your interviewer and the office.

Week 2: Meet with a local interviewer.

• Find an interviewer who lives or works close to you and make an appointment for a personal interview.
• Bring all the materials you prepared to your interview, including a check or money order for the annual fee, and discuss your trip as it relates to Servas.
• Upon approval, the interviewer will sign your Letter of Introduction and either you or he/she (varies depending on interviewer) will send the materials to the Arcata office, including your request for hosts lists, annual fee and refundable deposit for the host lists. To determine which lists to request, consult the Member Countries Page >

Week 3: US Servas processes and returns Letter of Introduction with host list(s).

• The office validates your Letter of Introduction, affixing a Servas International stamp for each adult traveler.
• Your validated Letter will be returned to you, along with any requested region/country host lists. Lists will be sent by book rate mail unless otherwise specified by the traveler. Express mail services are also available for an additional charge.