FAQ

  • HOW LARGE ARE THE GROUPS YOU SEND?

    It varies by country but the minimum size is 10 and the maximum is usually 30-35 people. For many countries, 12 or 15 people is the maximum size while other countries can accommodate up to 35. Contact us if you have questions about a specific country.

  • WHO GOES ON A VISITING ORPHANS TRIP?

    Individuals, church groups, families, organizations, etc.

  • WHAT IF THE TRIP I WANT TO GO ON IS FULL?

    If you sign up for a trip that is full, you will be notified and put on the waiting list for that trip.

  • WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES WILL WE DO ON THE MISSION TRIPS?

    Activities will vary based on the location of the trip but teams will likely spend most of their time building relationships with the children by playing sports, games, and doing arts and crafts. On some occasions teams will participate in a work project.

  • IS THERE A REGISTRATION FEE?

    A $200 fee is required with all applications in order to hold space on that team. This is applied to the balance of the trip cost and is non-refundable and non-transferable.

  • WHAT IS THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR A MISSION TRIP?

    Please note: this is a generic schedule. Always refer to specific payment due dates given to you by Visiting Orphans trip coordinators or your team leader.


    Payment Schedule

    Date Due

    Amount Due

    Non-refundable application fee

    with application

    $200.00 (applied to trip)

    First payment

    60 days prior to trip

    cost of airfare

    Second payment

    30 days prior to trip

    amount depends on the trip - your trip coordinator will email you the specific payment schedule for your trip

    Final payment

    2 weeks prior to trip

    remaining balance paid in full


  • WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE TRIP?

    For most trips, the following items are included in the cost. If any of these are not included in the trip you sign up for, you will be told in advance:
        - International Airfare
        - 3 Meals a Day
        - Accommodations
        - In-country Transportation
        - Translator/Guide for the Team
        - Travel Insurance

  • WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE TRIP?

    Personal items and gifts to children and orphanage staff given on your behalf.  Arts & crafts and other items needed for activities your team takes to do with the children. Any extra food or drinks outside of the 3 meals a day. Tipping for help with personal luggage. Any fees associated with baggage.

  • WHAT ARE THE ROOM ARRANGEMENTS LIKE ON THE MISSION FIELD?

    In most instances on Visiting Orphans trips, team members will be sharing a room with one or more people of the same gender. We plan our trips to be the most cost effective to the team and so you should expect to be sharing a room with one or more persons on the team at all times unless you specifically request otherwise and pay the additional cost, provided that the option for a single room is even available at the place of lodging. All promoted trip prices include team members sharing rooms. Whenever possible, we will put husbands & wives in a room together but please be aware that in some locations, this will not be possible as some of our lodging is set up more dormitory style where all the girls may be in one room with bunk beds and all the guys will be in another. It just depends on where the team is staying as to what accommodations are available. As with any mission trip, please be flexible. Also, we are a Christian organization and therefore, we do not allow team members of the opposite sex to share rooms together unless they are married.  Our definition of marriage is as the bible defines it and does not include common law or same sex marriages.

  • IS THERE A COMMITMENT OF TIME REQUIRED IN ORDER TO BE PART OF A VISITING ORPHANS MISSION TEAM?

    Yes. We ask team members to read and agree with the following statement: I understand that the mission trip starts the day I apply for the trip and agree that, as a part of a Visiting Orphans mission team, I am committing to being available for conference calls leading up to the trip and reading all emails and materials  pertaining to the trip, and responding when necessary. I understand that these communications are needed to maximize the effectiveness of my team on the mission field, to prepare each person for the trip and to build team unity.  For some teams, this may include 6 to 10 conference calls leading up to the trip.

  • HOW MANY BAGS AM I ALLOWED TO TAKE?

    Always check the luggage restrictions section online for the airline you are traveling on. Baggage allowances vary depending on the airline and are subject to change so always check this information online in advance. Visiting Orphans is not responsible for any baggage fees incurred by any team members, including team leaders. When you pack, account for the possibility of a lost checked bag - keep essentials, at least one change of clothes, and copies of important documents in your carry-on.

  • HOW CAN I HELP IF I CAN'T GO ON THE TRIP?

    If you are unable to participate by traveling to a foreign country, you may serve in the following manner: 
        - Prayer support 
        - Financial support for a team 
        - Donation to an orphanage

  • DOES VISITING ORPHANS HELP WITH FUNDING MY TRIP?

    Registered applicants are responsible for raising support but Visiting Orphans will supply verification letters and accounting for applicants.

  • CAN I RAISE SUPPORT FOR MY MISSIONS TRIP?

    Yes!  We encourage all our applicants to raise funds from friends and families.  Visiting Orphans is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and donations given on your behalf are tax deductible.

    Visiting Orphans team members can also send donors to our online store to purchase merchandise and a percentage of each purchase will go toward the designated team members trip. Team member must be registered for a trip before using this feature so we know where to apply the fund.

  • HOW DO I MAKE A PAYMENT?

    Payments can be made online on our website under the DONATE link in the top right corner - under Gift Designation - indicate your trip name and dates and be sure to put your name under mission trip member designation. Payments can also be made by check or money order, made out to “Visiting Orphans” and sent to our address (P.O. Box 668, Nolensville, TN 37135).  Please indicate on the check that it is for you. All payments/donations made to Visiting Orphans are tax deductible.

  • HOW CAN I DONATE?

    Donations can be made the same way payments are made. See answer above.

  • WHAT IS VISITING ORPHANS MAILING ADDRESS?

    Visiting Orphans 
    P.O. Box 668
    Nolensville, TN 37135

  • DOES VISITING ORPHANS PURCHASE INSURANCE FOR TEAMS?

    Yes. Visiting Orphans purchases travel insurance for all team members and this cost is included in each team members total trip cost. Please be informed that if there is an interruption to any VO mission trip such as natural disaster or political interruption and the travel insurance does not cover all expenses incurred, VO is not responsible for the payment of these additional expenses.  VO will work with each team member to get them home safely, and will even pay up front to do so, but reimbursement to VO will be required from each team member.

  • WILL I NEED TO GET VACCINATIONS TO TRAVEL ON A VISITING ORPHANS TRIP?

    Visiting Orphans advises all travelers to read the US Department of State background notes on their website.  Travelers can also check the latest health information with the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov to get the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations/requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries.  We also suggest that all participants consult their physician before traveling Internationally.

  • WHAT DOCUMENTS WILL I NEED TO PROVIDE TO GO ON A VISITING ORPHANS TRIP?

    Each team member will need to sign a release of liability form, a background check consent form and a copy of our cancellation policy. Each team member will also need to sign and have notarized a copy of our code of conduct which often includes specific ministry guidelines for our in-country partners. You will also need 2 spiritual references to fill out a reference form that we will provide. These items will be emailed to you by the trip coordinator or team leader after you apply for a trip. Each team member will need a current passport that does not expire within 6 months. And depending on the country you are visiting, a visa may be required. If that is the case, Visiting Orphans staff will notify you in advance.

  • WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY FOR VISITING ORPHANS TRIPS?

    Team members will be asked to sign a copy of Visiting Orphans Cancellation Policy, which is as follows:  In the event that a team member cancels their trip and costs have been incurred that the team member has not yet paid to Visiting Orphans at the time of cancellation, that person will be responsible for all financial commitments that have been made, including but not limited to: airline tickets, hotel reservations, and other in-country transportation.

    Due to IRS tax laws for 501(c)3 non-profit organizations, Visiting Orphans cannot refund any donations. Please note that all trip costs are considered donations as they are tax deductible. This means, if a team member has raised funds for their trip and cancels, Visiting Orphans cannot legally refund any of these donations. All funds will be assumed by Visiting Orphans and used for our ongoing orphan care ministry.

    Visiting Orphans retains the express right, on all accepted donations, to direct all donations as it deemed in the best interest of the Corporation to fulfill its recognized tax exempt purpose.

  • CAN DONATION CHECKS BE REFUNDED?

    Due to IRS tax laws for non-profit organizations, Visiting Orphans is unable to refund any donations. This includes trip costs as those are considered donations and are tax deductible.

  • I SPONSOR A CHILD WITH ANOTHER ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY WE ARE GOING TO, CAN I VISIT MY SPONSORED CHILD WHILE I'M ON A VISITING ORPHANS MISSION TRIP TO THAT COUNTRY?

    Unfortunately, we are not able to work in sponsor visits on our mission trips. Our itineraries are packed full of opportunities for the team to minister to children as a group and it is mandatory for the team to stay together at all times. We do understand that many of our trip participants have sponsored children and we understand the desire to want to meet them. Therefore, we do allow team members to coordinate a sponsor visit with Compassion, World Vision or another organization AFTER the Visiting Orphans trip is over. We would need to be notified several months in advance so we could book your flight to return later than the rest of the team - but we can and will do that for you. You would need to understand that after the VO team departs, Visiting Orphans is no longer responsible for your arrangements. You would need to make your own arrangements for in-country needs at that point which would include everything from lodging to transportation to meals and translation. You would want to check with your child sponsorship organization to see if they can help you with the details of this extended stay should you choose this option. Be sure to check with them about arranging to meet your child BEFORE we book your flights.

  • WILL I BE TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY BY MYSELF?

    No, we will book your connecting flights from your departing city to meet up with your team in a major US airport to then fly on to your international destination and back together.  

  • CAN I MAKE ANY DEVIATIONS TO THE FLIGHT SCHEDULE FOR THE TRIP?

    Depending on what the deviation is, Visiting Orphans will decide on a case by case basis whether or not we are able to accommodate your request. If a team member has such a request, Visiting Orphans must be notified 70 days or more before the trip departure date in order to decide whether the deviation is possible and if so, to have ample time to book your flights accordingly.  Do not make plans to meet sponsored children, visits friends or other ministries on your own apart from the team during the scheduled Visiting Orphans mission trip. If you wish to depart from the team, you must do this AFTER the Visiting Orphans mission trip is over and you must obtain prior approval at least 70 days prior to your trip departure. Visiting Orphans will help you book your return flights for a later date and let you know if there is additional cost. If you choose to deviate, you must submit a signed deviation form which releases VO from all liability or responsibility for you or your arrangements after the team leaves.

  • CAN CHILDREN GO ON A VISITING ORPHANS MISSION TRIP?

    Yes, we do allow children 9 years and up on our some of trips. Anyone under the age of 15 must travel with a parent or guardian on all of our trips. If you are considering bringing children on a Visiting Orphans trip, please contact us at 866.683.7554 for more information.

  • IS VISITING ORPHANS A MEMBER OF ANY ACCREDITED AGENCIES FOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY?

    Yes. Visiting Orphans is now a member of the ECFA. Our member profile can be found here.