Au Pair in Germany: Visa & Legal Steps

Non-EU/non-EEA Au Pairs

• Valid passport
• Signed Au Pair contract
• German Language certificate
• Visa Application Form
• Valid Health Insurance
• Questionnaire
• Biometric passport photos

1. Apply for a National Visa before Arrival 
   Visa applications must be submitted in person at either the embassy or the visa application centre at your place of residence. Additional documents that are often requested, depending on the embassy/consulate, are a motivation letter, an invitation letter from the Host Family, and/or a CV. To find all relevant information about the required documents and steps to apply for the visa, please visit the German mission abroad (embassy/consulate) website in your country before booking your appointment.
2. Registration with the Bureau of Registration (Einwohnermeldeamt)
   Register with the local registration office within two weeks of arriving. You will need to bring your valid passport and the Host Family’s confirmation of accommodation, for example, a letter of invitation. Once registration is complete, you will be issued a certificate of residence by the Residents’ Registration Office, which will later be needed to open a bank account, obtain insurance, or deal with the Immigration Office.
3. ​Apply for the residence permit (Ausländerbehörde)
   Apply for a residence permit at the Foreign Services Office responsible for your city of residence before the visa expires. National visas are generally issued for three months. You will need to bring your passport, a recent passport photo, the certificate of residence, proof of health insurance, and the signed Au Pair contract. Depending on the immigration office, you may also be asked to provide the application form, a valid entry visa, and a completed Host Family questionnaire.
4. Opening a bank account
   Opening a German bank account is needed to receive monthly pocket money and make other payments. Host Families should assist their Au Pair in opening an account.
   A valid passport and a certificate of residence are required, and some banks also require a visa or residence permit. Young people and Au Pairs can often get free checking accounts.

Visa-free eligible non-EU nationals

Requirement

• Valid national passport
• Signed Au Pair contract
• Proof of registration
• German Language certificate
• Valid Health Insurance
• Application
• Recent passport photo

1. Entering Germany 
   Certain non-EU nationals, including those from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as the United States of America, may enter Germany without a visa under § 41 AufenthV and apply for a residence permit upon arrival. However, visa-free entry alone does not authorise Au Pair work. A signed Au Pair contract is still required, and the Au Pair may only work once the necessary residence authorisation is in place.
2. Registration with the Bureau of Registration (Einwohnermeldeamt)
   You need to register with the local registration office within two weeks of your arrival. The required documents are the Au Pair’s passport and the Host Family’s confirmation of accommodation (e.g., a letter of invitation). Once registration is complete, the Residents’ Registration Office will issue the Au Pair a certificate of residence. This will be necessary later on to open a bank account, obtain insurance, or deal with the Immigration Office.
3. ​Apply for the residence permit (Ausländerbehörde)
   Before the 90-day visa-free stay ends, apply for a residence permit for Au Pair employment at the local immigration office. You may work as an Au Pair only after you have received your residence permit. A residence permit is valid for a maximum of one year and cannot be renewed for the same purpose. Necessary documents are your passport, a recent passport photo, your certificate of residence, proof of health insurance, and the signed Au Pair contract. Depending on the immigration office, you may also be asked to provide the application form and Host Family-related supporting documents.
4. Opening a bank account
   In order to receive monthly pocket money and make other payments, you will need to open a German bank account. It is recommended that Host Families help the Au Pair to open an account.

   Required documents are a passport and a certificate of residence; some banks may also ask for the residence permit. Free checking accounts for Au Pairs are offered by many banks.