J1 Au Pair Visa

The Au Pair exchange program uses the J1 visa (intended for educational and cultural exchanges). The United States has 11 authorized agencies that administer the au pair program and provide the documentation for the au pair's J1 visa. These agencies charge a fee, which usually include the au pair's health insurance, a background check and the au pair's roundtrip airfare to and from New York, and an au pair training program.

The Au Pair program is highly monitored and both potential au pairs and host families can expect to undergo thorough scrutiny. Prospective au pairs, for example, undergo a background investigation, criminal check, physical and psychological exams. Let workpermit.com find you an au pair position.

Who is eligible?

Foreign nationals between 18 and 26 years old are eligible to participate in the program, which is good for up to 12 months and can be extended for an additional 12 months. All potential au pairs must be proficient in spoken English, and are required to complete at least six hours of academic credit or its equivalent at an accredited US college or university. Host families pay a fee toward the cost of the au pair's required academic course work. Au pairs must also be given a separate bedroom.

Restrictions on the au pair program

The au pair may be required to work up to 10 hours per day, 45 hours per week. An au pair may not be placed with an infant under three months old unless a responsible adult is at home. Au pairs are not placed in homes with children under two years unless the au pair has at least 200 hours of documented infant childcare experience. Au pairs are not placed in families with a special needs child unless the au pair has specifically identified prior experience, skill, or training in caring for special needs children and the host family has reviewed and acknowledged the stated prior experience, skills, or training in writing.