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 (will be in the info package)
• Confirmation that the candidate paid the SEVIS fee (will be in the info package)
• Confirmation that the candidate paid the visa fee ($160/120€)
• Proof that the participant plans to return to their home country and can afford the flight back
• 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. 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.

The fee for the visa is $160. To become an Au Pair in the USA 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 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.