Become a Host Family in the USA

Please remember: to become a Host Family in the USA and be a part of the legal Au Pair program, the family needs to get in touch with an agency that is designated by the US Government. Only if you register with a US Government designated agency, the foreign candidate can get the J-1 visa! If you want to participate in the program through our partner agency, Agent Au Pair, please get in touch with them directly.      

There are many good candidates on AuPair.com, who apply for the USA, but only a few of them will get a J-1 Visa. From some Au Pair countries, the visas are denied in nearly 100% of cases. To save your time, before you start searching for your Au Pair, please contact Agent Au Pair directly and ask if they would be able to help you to invite an Au Pair from your selected country. If you need an Au Pair urgently, they also have candidates who are already screened and available for placement.

Benefits of hosting an Au Pair in the USA

There are many benefits of hosting an Au Pair from another country to take care of your children. Few of the benefits are:

• Screened applicants with verified childcare experience 
• Cultural exchange and a special experience for the entire family
• Reliable, affordable live-in care for about $ 340 per week
• Guaranteed hours of childcare per week
• Flexible schedule
• Some help with easy household chores*
• Support from a local agency

*only related to the Host Kids and the Au Pair’s personal space (e.g. cleaning his/her room and tidying up the Host Kids bedrooms, collecting their toys and doing the kids’ laundry). Click here for more information.

As a Host Family, it is important to welcome the candidate and make them feel part of the family. In addition there are certain requirements that Host Families have to fulfil to participate in the Au Pair program and that will be checked by the local agency.

Can you become a Host Family in the USA?

With an Au Pair you will not only have a live-in childcare, but also a new member of your family that will be part of your everyday life.

To join and stay in the program the Host Family has to fulfil the following points:

• Have at least one child under the age of 18 years
• Room with a window for the girl/boy and daily meals
• A weekly payment of minimum $195,75 pocket money
• Pay up to $500 for an educational course for the Au Pair
• The Au Pair can stay for at least 1 year
• US citizens or legal permanent resident in the USA
• The spoken language at home is English
• Understand that the participant is not allowed to work more than 45 hours per week - babysitting included
• Give them at least one weekend off a month and 1,5 days off a week
• Provide at least 2 weeks of paid vacation for each 12 months term
• Provide the Au Pair with transport to the monthly meetings and educational classes

If you fulfill the requirements above and after reading the benefits you think that an Au Pair would be a great childcare solution for your family, register with us and our partner Agent Au Pair will contact you.

Hiring an Au Pair in the USA without an agency

Note: Never invite someone to stay with you with a 6 months tourist visa or the ESTA form. This is illegal and can have serious consequences. Please never tell your Au Pair that it is possible to go to the USA without a US Department of State designated Program. It is not and every US Host Family should know it!

We check the Host Family and Au Pair profiles on a regular basis and will block any profile where we find evidence of encouraging people to do illegal actions. We want to keep all our users save and will not allow any actions that do not meet the law.

Why AuPair.com?

For many years, we have provided participants of the Au Pair program with all the necessary information and the opportunity to find each other. Since we have an American partner, we can provide a special service to the Host Families and offer the following benefits:

• Exclusive access to AuPair.com Au Pairs
• Reliable, affordable live-in care for only $340 per week
• Personalized service from experienced professionals to place Au Pairs quickly
• A wonderful cultural experience for the entire family

Our partner Agent Au Pair will help you through the application and placement process and support your family and the Au Pair during the year.

How to host an Au Pair in the USA?

In order for the Au Pair to be legal in the USA, every candidate has to fulfil certain requirements to get the J-1 visa. Check if your possible new family member meets the following points:

• is between 18 and 26 years old
• understands and speaks English on an intermediate level
• is not married
• does not have children
• is in good health, must not smoke, and can’t have severe chronic illnesses
• is willing to stay with you for minimum 1 year (maximum 2 years))
• has childcare experience of at least 500 hours in the past 2 years
• has a driver’s license and driving experience
• has a clear criminal record

Usually all the Au Pairs that Agent Au Pair introduces to a family fulfil all these requirements. Still, you should always talk to your candidate about these points.

Step by step to become a Host Family in the USA: 

Welcome your new family member and enjoy your time together
Click here if you are looking for some gift ideas to welcome your new Au Pair and start this exciting adventure together!