Joining Auroville: The Process

Before you start

Visit and explore Auroville, and volunteer for at least three months before applying to join permanently. 

To volunteer, apply by contacting the Admissions & Terminations Registry (ATR): atr@auroville.org.in. 

Note: If your intention is to volunteer for a short period (6–12 months) without the intent to permanently join Auroville as a Resident, that is possible too. See [webpage Volunteering in Auroville] for details. 

Step 1 - Apply to become a volunteer: work and stay in Auroville for at least three months. 

Step 2 - Apply to become a Newcomer: work and stay in Auroville for twelve months. The Newcomer period is a ”trial period” as envisioned by The Mother. 

1. Apply to ATR to become a Newcomer, find yourself a place of work and a place of stay. The Auroville community is notified of your application and may submit reasoned feedback. 
2. The Admissions & Terminations Scrutinising Committee (ATSC) will review your application and may interview you, and will decide on merit, guided by the Charter, Admission Criteria, and Residence Criteria. The ATSC’s decision goes to the Secretary of the Auroville Foundation for final approval/refusal. 
3. If approved, you are deemed a Newcomer for one year. During this period, you stay in Auroville housing, engage in full-time work in an Auroville unit/service, and attend the Auroville Spiritual and Material Orientation. 

Step 3 - Apply for entry of your name in the Register of Residents of Auroville to become a Resident. 

1. After 11 months as a Newcomer, apply to ATR to become a Resident. The community is again notified and may submit reasoned feedback. 
2. The Admissions & Terminations Scrutinising Committee (ATSC) will review your application and may interview you, and will decide on merit, guided by the Charter, Admission Criteria, and Residence Criteria. The ATSC’s decision goes to the Secretary of the Auroville Foundation for final approval/refusal.  
3. If approved, you sign the declaration and your name is entered in the Register. 

Regulatory backbone 

The Volunteer, Newcomer, Resident stages and timelines are established in the Auroville Foundation (Admission and Termination of Persons in the Register of Residents) Regulations, 2023 (see downloadable PDF below). 

Housing & Finances while you are a Volunteer and a Newcomer 

Expenses: Ideally plan to cover your own living costs during both the Volunteer and Newcomer periods. 

Housing: Temporary accommodation may be offered through the Housing Service, subject to availability. To identify a longer‑term solution in view of Auroville’s current housing shortage, you can coordinate with the Housing Service. 

Reference: 

Download the Regulations: