Au Pair DestinationsUSAAu Pair in USA: J1-visa information

Au Pair in USA: J1-visa information

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 in America! 

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 and Host Family agreement
  • The invitation letter
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. On 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 their 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.

The fee for the visa is $160. To become an Au Pair in America you can also fill out this form:

Become an Au Pair in the USA

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 in America 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.


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