These are the documents required to apply for a J-1 visa:
A biometric photo 51 x 51 mm in size and a passport (valid until 6 months after your stay)
The DS 2019 form and the DS 160 form
Confirmation that the candidate paid the SEVIS fee and the visa fee ($160/120€)
The Au Pair and Host Family agreement and invitation letter
Our partner agency in the United States, Agent Au Pair, is your way to legally enter the country as an Au Pair!
The US Department of State has strict rules regarding the Au Pair program. In order to become an Au Pair in the United States, the candidate will need a J-1 visa.
To apply for a legal J-1 Cultural Exchange Visitor Visa, the candidate needs the following documents:
A passport (valid until 6 months after your stay)
The DS 160 form
A biometric photo, 51 x 51 mm in size
The appointment confirmation
The DS 2019 form
Confirmation that the candidate paid the SEVIS fee
Confirmation that the candidate paid the visa fee ($160/120€)
The Au Pair needs to make an appointment at the closest US embassy or consulate to their hometown. Usually the applicant will get one within a couple of days. At the day of the appointment it is really important to think of all the documents needed, otherwise the applicant will have to get a new appointment.
At the embassy the applicant will present all the documents, have a small interview in English and fingerprints will be taken. The embassy will keep the participant’s passport for the visa. Within a week the passport including the visa will be sent to the Au Pair by mail.
Families and Au Pairs are part of the program for a year. Participants have the opportunity to extend their stay for another 6, 9 or 12 months.
Please, do not, under any circumstances, try to take part in the Au Pair program without an agency. It is illegal for families to invite someone to become their Au Pair and for an Au Pair to participate without an agency. It is not possible to participate with a Tourist Visa or ESTA form! Please follow the rules, otherwise you might be unable to enter the country or, if you make it into the US committing visa fraud, it could result in fines, deportation and you may not be approved for any future U.S. visas. Moreover, if you are not coming to the U.S. on the appropriate visa, you will have no support system available, such as the U.S. Department of State overseeing the program, the US agency and local representatives in your area.
Tanyaradzwa was a miracle. I had just gotten a job overseas and at that time i was a single parent . I needed someone to help me with my ❱❱
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Tanyaradzwa was a miracle. I had just gotten a job overseas and at that time i was a single parent . I needed someone to help me with my daughter and she was recommended by a family she babysits for. My daughters' grades were not so good, but she helped my daughter improve so much. Very Reliable, attentive, respectful and for a first time AU Pair she did well. She may appear shy and quiet but, when she is around children, she is amazing and comfortable around them.
For Registered Members
Au Pair in Italy
Zoe, American
My time spent with the Theiner family was exquisite! I felt like a part of the family and it was the experience of a lifetime.
The three ❱❱
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My time spent with the Theiner family was exquisite! I felt like a part of the family and it was the experience of a lifetime.
The three boys are sweet and energetic, you will feel their love so quickly. There was plenty to do and the boys were always happy to spend time playing outside, swimming in the pool, going to the playground, or playing in the house together. Katja is really organized so I always felt prepared to take care of the boys. Both parents and other family members are truly involved in the boys' lives which I loved because you can feel the love of their family and quickly feel a part of it. They always checked in with me to make sure I was comfortable and in turn, I had no hesitation to ask questions or clarify things which made it a smooth process.
One of the best parts was how much they supported and encouraged my travels while I was there. I got to see so much of Italy and other parts of Europe during my time there because they were generous with giving me time off to myself and accommodating a schedule around my travel plans. Katja was really great at helping me map out some places that I didn't know about to suggest some spots that I should visit, and I'm so glad because they were amazing trips. She definitely upgraded my destinations! Katja and Ingo both also coordinated bringing me to and from the train station. If you are looking to travel during your au pair experience this is an excellent fit.
My time with the family was exciting and really well organized. My working hours were always laid out very clearly and I appreciated it so that everyone felt like they had their personal time as well. The family has a great apartment on their property that is a perfect distance so you feel included and a short walk to the house whilst still feeling like you have your own space. I was always comfortable and always felt safe when I was at the apartment or in their home. The apartment has plenty of space and a great view of the trees, I will miss waking up to it!
I learned so much during my time as their au pair, I think the kids maybe taught me more than I taught them :).
The Theiner family is full of love, and I feel lucky to have been a part of it!