Visa requirements for the au pair program

Whether you're new to hosting or preparing to welcome your next au pair, Cultural Care works with au pairs to prepare for their visa process. Learn exactly what documents your au pair needs, how the process works, and what your responsibilities are so you can welcome your au pair with clarity and confidence.  

Understanding the visa requirements for the au pair program is essential when preparing to welcome an au pair into your home. As a host family, you play an important role in the J-1 visa process—from matching with your au pair to supporting them throughout their year with your family. This comprehensive guide explains what you need to know about the J-1 visa for au pairs, including your responsibilities as a host family and how Cultural Care supports you through every step. 

What visa do au pairs need to enter the U.S.? 

Au pairs arrive on a J-1 Cultural Exchange Visa. This is the only legal visa category for participating in the official au pair program, and it requires sponsorship from a U.S. Department of State-designated organization like Cultural Care Au Pair. 

The J-1 visa explained 

The J-1 visa is part of the Exchange Visitor Program administered by the U.S. Department of State. It's specifically designed to promote cultural exchange between the United States and other countries. Au pairs want to experience American life, improve their English, and share their culture with your family—all while providing valuable childcare support. 

This visa is different from work visas or tourist visas. It emphasizes the educational and cultural aspects of the experience, which is why au pairs must complete academic coursework during their stay and why the program has specific regulations about working hours and your responsibilities as a host family. 

As a host family, you don't handle visa paperwork directly; Cultural Care works with the au pairs to guide them through the process with their local embassy. However, understanding how the visa works helps you support your au pair and ensure program compliance. 

Who qualifies for the au pair program? 

Not everyone can participate in the au pair program. The U.S. Department of State has established specific au pair eligibility criteria that all candidates must meet before they can be matched with your family. 

Age, language, and education requirements 

Your au pair must meet these basic requirements to qualify for the program: 

Age: Between 18 and 26 years old at the time of application. This ensures au pairs are mature enough for childcare responsibilities while still young enough to benefit from cultural exchange. 

Language: Conversational proficiency in spoken English. Your au pair must demonstrate they can communicate effectively with your family and children, handle emergencies, and navigate daily life in the U.S. 

Education: Completion of secondary school (high school equivalent). This ensures all au pairs have a foundational education level. 

Childcare experience: At least 200 hours of documented childcare experience outside their own family. For infant care (children under 2), candidates need a minimum of 200 hours specifically with infants. 

Cultural Care screens all candidates before they're made available for matching, so you can trust that anyone you interview meets these basic requirements. 

Health and background check requirements 

Before matching with your family, all au pair candidates must pass several screening requirements: 

Criminal background check: A clean criminal record from their home country and any country where they've lived for six months or longer since age 18. 

Reference checks: Professional and personal references that speak to their character, responsibility, and childcare abilities. 

Personality assessment: The results of an au pair’s personality assessment help host families choose an au pair who suits their family. 

These screenings protect your family and ensure your au pair is ready for the responsibilities ahead. 

Step-by-step: How the au pair visa process works 

Understanding visa application process helps you know what to expect as a host family. Here's the timeline from matching to arrival. 

Step 1: Choose a designated sponsor organization 

As a host family, your first step is working with a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor agency for the au pair program. Cultural Care Au Pair is one of the oldest and most trusted agencies, with over 35 years of experience guiding families through the visa process. 

Cultural Care facilitates your matching process, provides pre-departure training to your au pair, issues the DS-2019 form (required for the visa interview), and offers support throughout your year together. 

Step 2: Match with an au pair 

Once you create your host family profile, you can browse au pair candidates and conduct video interviews to find the right match. 

Once you accept a match with an au pair, Cultural Care begins assisting the au pair with the visa application process. This is when the formal visa application process starts. 

Step 3: The DS-2019 form and required documents 

Cultural Care issues each au pair a DS-2019 form—the official document that proves your au pair has been accepted into an Exchange Visitor Program. Your au pair brings this form to the embassy when they interview for the J-1 visa. Cultural Care also pays the $35 SEVIS I-901 fee on the au pair’s behalf. 

Your au pair will also complete the DS-160 form (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) and pay the visa application fee (currently $185). 

Cultural Care guides your au pair through every step and ensures all paperwork is complete and accurate. 

Step 4: Schedule an interview at a U.S. Embassy 

After receiving their DS-2019, your au pair schedules an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. Wait times vary by location and season, which is why starting the matching process early is important. 

Common visa interview questions for au pairs: 

• Why do you want to be an au pair in the United States? 

• Tell me about your childcare experience. 

• What are your educational goals during your au pair year? 

• How will you handle homesickness or cultural differences? 

• What are your plans after the au pair program ends? 

• How many children are you caring for and what are their ages? 

The consular officer wants to ensure your au pair understands the program and intends to return home after it ends. Cultural Care prepares your au pair for the interview with coaching and guidance. 

Step 5: Your au pair arrives in the U.S. and begins orientation 

When the visa is approved, your au pair receives their passport with the J-1 visa stamp within a few days to a few weeks. They can then book travel to the United States. 

Your au pair must enter the U.S. within 30 days of the program start date listed on their DS-2019. When arriving to the U.S., au pairs undergo an immigration and customs inspection by a Customs and Border Protection officer. This process involves a review of documents, fingerprinting, a photograph and the recording of their entry into the U.S. on an electronic I-94 form. Au pairs must present their passport with the J-1 visa and their DS-2019 form at the time of entry.  

Au pairs attend mandatory Training School sessions provided by Cultural Care 32 hours before traveling to the U.S. and beginning their childcare duties. 

How long can au pairs stay in the U.S.? 

Understanding the duration of the program helps you plan your childcare coverage and any potential extensions. 

Initial program length and grace period 

The standard au pair program lasts 12 months from your au pair's arrival date. This gives your family a full year of consistent, flexible childcare. 

After the 12-month program ends, your au pair has a 30-day grace period to travel within the United States before returning home. This grace period gives au pairs time to explore the country and say goodbye to friends before leaving. They cannot work or provide childcare during this 30-day period as their program has ended—it's strictly for domestic travel and wrapping up their affairs before departing the U.S. 

You'll need to arrange alternative childcare during this grace period if you need coverage. 

How program extensions work 

Many families and au pairs want to continue their match beyond the initial year. Au pair program extension options include extending for 6, 9, or 12 additional months, for a maximum total stay of 24 months. 

Requirements for extension: 

• Both you and your au pair must agree to extend 

• Your au pair must have completed the educational requirements from the first year 

• Your au pair must be in good standing with no program violations 

• Extension request must be submitted at least 60 days before the current program end date 

Cultural Care handles all extension paperwork. Your au pair doesn't need to leave the U.S. or have another visa interview—the extension happens domestically and is an extension of their J-1 status. However, they will receive a new DS-2019 form with updated dates. 

Extensions are popular with families who've found a great match and want to maintain consistency for their children. 

Educational requirements tied to the J-1 visa 

Education is a core component of the au pair program. As a host family, you have specific responsibilities related to your au pair's education. 

How many credits or hours are required? 

Standard au pairs must complete at least 6 semester hours (or equivalent) of academic credit at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution during their 12-month program. This typically equals two three-credit courses or 72 hours of instruction. 

What classes can au pairs take? 

Educational requirements for au pairs are flexible. Your au pair can take courses at community colleges, four-year universities, or any other accredited post-secondary institution. Popular choices include English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, early childhood education or child development classes, American culture or history courses, business or communication classes, art, music, or creative writing courses, and computer skills or technology courses. 

Many au pairs choose courses that interest them personally or that will benefit their career goals after returning home. 

Your responsibility: You must contribute up to $500 toward your au pair's educational expenses and provide reasonable time off to attend classes. This is a program requirement, not optional. Supporting your au pair's education is part of the cultural exchange commitment you're making. 

What host families need to know about program regulations  

As a host family, you play a crucial role in the program and have specific legal obligations under U.S. Department of State au pair rules. 

Responsibilities of host families under the au pair program 

When you welcome an au pair into your home, you're not just hiring childcare—you're participating in an official cultural exchange program with legal requirements: 

• Weekly stipend: Pay the Department of State-mandated minimum weekly stipend (currently $195.75) regardless of how many hours your au pair works 

• Educational allowance: Provide up to $500 toward your au pair's required educational coursework 

• Room and board: Provide a private bedroom with appropriate furnishings and three meals per day 

• Working hour limits: Strictly adhere to the 45-hour weekly maximum and 10-hour daily maximum 

• Time off: Provide at least 1.5 consecutive days off each week, one weekend off per month and two weeks of paid vacation during the year 

• Cultural exchange: Encourage and facilitate your au pair's cultural learning and educational experiences 

These requirements are mandated by the U.S. Department of State and non-negotiable. Violations can result in removal from the program for both you and your au pair. Cultural Care provides guidance to ensure you remain compliant throughout the year. 

What happens if the match doesn't work out? 

Sometimes, despite everyone's best efforts, a host family and au pair aren't a good fit. The good news is that the au pair program allows for rematching. 

If either party wants to end the match, Cultural Care facilitates the rematch process. Your au pair's visa remains valid and they may be matched with a new host family. Most rematches happen smoothly within 2-4 weeks. 

Host families can begin matching with a new au pair once the rematch is official. Families can interview au pairs who are already in the U.S. to avoid the visa process and match more quickly with a new au pair. Your commitment to the program continues, just with a different au pair who may be a better fit for your family's needs. 

The ability to rematch protects your investment in the program and ensures you get the childcare support you need. 

Can an au pair get a U.S. driver's license? 

Yes, au pairs on a J-1 visa can obtain a U.S. driver's license, and many host families require this for transportation to children's activities. 

The process varies by state but generally involves presenting the J-1 visa and DS-2019 form, along with any other state-specific documents, at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), passing a written knowledge test, passing a road skills test, and paying the required fees. 

Your role as a host family: 

• Provide practice time and driving instruction if needed 

• Accompany your au pair to the DMV for their appointments 

• Add your au pair to your car insurance policy before they drive (most insurance companies cover J-1 au pairs similarly to household members) 

• Ensure they understand local traffic laws and your expectations for car use 

Many states issue licenses that are valid for one year to match the initial length of the program, so if you extend your au pair's program, they may need to renew their driver's license as well. 

Can a visa be denied or delayed? What to do next 

While most au pair visa applications are approved, denials and delays occasionally happen. Understanding what might cause issues helps both you and your au pair prepare. 

Common reasons for denial or delay 

Visa applications may face issues due to incomplete or incorrect paperwork, insufficient evidence that the au pair will return to their home country after the program, inadequate English proficiency demonstrated at the interview, concerns about childcare experience or qualifications, background check issues or criminal history, or administrative processing (additional security checks, which cause delays but not necessarily denial). 

Cultural Care's thorough screening process minimizes these risks, but occasionally issues arise during the embassy interview. 

What happens in the case of a visa denial 

If your au pair's visa is denied, the consular officer provides a reason. Depending on the reason, there are options: 

For correctable issues (like incomplete paperwork), your au pair can often reapply immediately once they've addressed the problem. Cultural Care helps gather any additional materials needed. 

For more serious denials (like concerns about intent to return home), your au pair may need to wait and demonstrate stronger ties to their home country before reapplying or may not be able to reapply. 

Administrative processing isn't a denial—it just means the application needs additional review. This can take several weeks or months, but many applications in administrative processing are eventually approved. 

As a host family, visa delays can be frustrating when you need childcare. Cultural Care's matching team can help you understand timelines and, if necessary, consider backup candidates who can arrive sooner. Most families successfully welcome their chosen au pair even after initial delays. 

After your au pair’s program ends 

Many host families wonder what happens after their au pair's program concludes, especially if they've built a strong relationship. 

The J-1 visa is issued with the intention that the exchange visitor will return home after their program ends. Cultural Care cannot advise on changes to status following program completion. We provide all au pairs who complete their program with a flight back to their home country. Eligible au pairs can participate in the repeat au pair program once they have been outside of the U.S. for two years following the end of their program. 

What this means for host families: You cannot employ your former au pair as a nanny or in any other capacity once their program ends. If you want to continue the relationship, it must be on a personal, non-employment basis. Many families stay connected with former au pairs for years, with visits going both ways even after the formal program ends. 

Why trust Cultural Care: 

• Approved by the U.S. Department of State 

• Over 175,000 successful placements worldwide 

• 35+ years guiding families through the J-1 visa process 

• 4.5 ★★★★★ rating on TrustPilot from thousands of families

Ready to welcome an au pair into your home? Cultural Care Au Pair has guided over 175,000 au pairs through the visa process successfully. Our experienced team handles the complex paperwork and supports you every step of the way, from matching to arrival and throughout your entire year together.