US Au Pair Visa Application Procedures

An au pair visa is a type of visa granted to a US State Department-approved exchange program to stay with a host family in the United States while providing childcare assistance to the host family and also receiving short-term post-secondary education.

The au pair visa is issued under the American J1 visa and allows you to stay in the United States for 12 months. Turkey ranked 15th among the top 20 countries in terms of the number of people going to the United States as au pairs in 2023. To apply for this visa, you must be between the ages of 18-26, have graduated from high school, and have basic English skills. In addition, certain documents such as the SEVIS fee and DS-2019 form are required for the application process.

What are the Requirements to Become an Au Pair in the USA?

The qualifications required to become an au pair in the United States are listed below.

  • Being between the ages of 18-26
  • Having completed secondary school or equivalent
  • Being able to speak English
  • Passing the background check and personality profile
  • Have at least 32 hours of childcare training before starting
  • Providing childcare for up to 10 hours per day or 45 hours per week
  • Have completed at least 6 hours of academic credit or equivalent at an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution

To become an au pair in the US, you must successfully pass a background check that includes school verification, non-family personal and employment references, a criminal background check, and a personality profile. The personality profile is based on a psychometric test designed to measure differences in characteristics among applicants against those considered most important for successful participation in the US au pair program. Before you begin your work with a host family in the US, you will undergo a training program in working with children so that you are better prepared.

Au Pair Placement Restrictions in the USA

In the U.S., you cannot work as an au pair in a household with a child under the age of two unless a parent or other responsible adult is present, a family with a baby under three months old, and you have at least 200 hours of documented childcare experience.

You cannot work with families that have children with special needs unless you provide your previous training and experience in caring for children with special needs and the host family accepts your experience. In the US, it is also not possible to work in a relative’s home as an au pair.

How to Get a US Au Pair Visa?

To obtain an au pair visa for the United States, first determine a sponsoring agency approved by the US Department of State. The au pair sponsor determines the family with whom you would be eligible to stay in the United States based on your qualifications, and an au pair agreement is signed with this family. Obtain the DS-2019 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Program Status) from the sponsoring agency and pay the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee online. After these steps, you can proceed with the visa application process.

For the au pair visa application, fill out the DS-160 coded US visa application form online and then pay the visa application fee at usvisa-info.com and make an appointment at the consulate. For the US au pair visa, submit the visa documents you have prepared on the appointment day, provide fingerprint registration and complete the application process by having a visa interview with the Consulate officer. You will be informed at the end of the interview whether your US au pair visa is approved or not.

Au Pair Sponsors for the United States

The list of United States 2023 au pair sponsors is given below.

  • 20/20 Care Exchange
  • APEX. American Professional Exchange
  • Agent Au Pair
  • American Cultural Exchange / goAuPair
  • American Institute For Foreign Study / Au Pair in America
  • Au Pair 4 Me
  • Au Pair International
  • AuPairCare
  • Cultural Care Au Pair
  • Cultural Homestay International
  • EurAuPair Intercultural Child Care Programs
  • Expert Group International
  • GreatAuPair
  • InterExchange

You can access the contact information of au pair sponsors approved by the US Department of State for exchange programs on the official website of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, BridgeUSA . The addresses listed are the head office addresses of the sponsoring institutions and you can be placed in any state in America within the scope of the au pair program.

What are the Required Documents for the USA Au Pair Visa?

For the US au pair visa, prepare the following documents in addition to the standard visa documents.

  • Exchange program status eligibility certificate (DS-2019 form)
  • SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
  • Au pair contract
  • Invitation letter
  • Transcript (for students and recent graduates)
  • Current CV
  • Evidence of financial ability
  • Proof of military service

Au Pair Agreement

The USA Au Pair contract is a legal document that explains all the vital aspects of the Au Pair exchange program. The USA Au Pair contract covers your working hours, salary, and your and your host’s duties and responsibilities.

Au Pair Program DS 2019 Form

The US DS-2019 form, also known as the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Program Status, is a document you must obtain from the US au pair sponsoring institution.

The DS-2019 form for the au pair program includes the SEVIS identification number, your personal information, au pair program start and end dates, and monthly expenses. You must submit the DS-2019 form both during the US au pair visa application and during border control upon entry to the US.

The US DS-2019 form is shown below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions to our consultants regarding the USA AU pair visa are provided below.

How Much Is the US Au Pair Visa Fee?

The total application fee for the US au pair visa application is $ 380, including the SEVIS I-901 fee of $ 220 and the US J1 visa application fee of $ 160. The US au pair visa application fee increases if you receive visa consultancy, travel health insurance and post-application courier service.

Before starting the visa process, the fees to be paid for the au pair placement in the USA and the DS-2019 form vary depending on the exchange sponsoring institution.

How Long Can You Stay in the USA with an Au Pair Visa?

For an au pair, you will live with a host family for 12 months, with the option to extend your visa for another 6, 9 or 12 months.

How Much Money Do Au Pairs Earn in the US?

As an au pair participant, you will receive free accommodation and meals in the United States, and you will receive an allowance for childcare. In addition, 500 USD of your academic education will be covered. As an au pair, you will be compensated for your work according to the Fair Labor Standards Act implemented by the US Department of Labor.

Can Those Who Complete an Au Pair Program in the USA Become Au Pairs Again?

Yes, you can become an au pair again after completing the au pair program, but at the end of the program, you can return to your home country and apply for the au pair program again after residing there for 2 years.