Discover the perfect au pair from South Africa

Hosting an au pair from South Africa is about more than just childcare—it’s about building meaningful connections across cultures. Whether it’s celebrating local traditions like Heritage Day, cheering on their favorite rugby or soccer team, trying new South African foods, or introducing your kids to languages like Zulu or Afrikaans, welcoming a South African au pair into your home will help your children see the world from a new perspective.

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Find a South African au pair in the USA

Find an au pair

Why choose a South African au pair?

Many families who welcome South African au pairs start their search in our host family app—where you can browse profiles and connect with someone who’s the right fit for your family.

Au pairs from South Africa are known for their strong family values and a culture that embraces diversity and community. Their adaptability, positive attitude, and reliability make them a natural fit for families seeking dependable, flexible, and caring support.

How our au pair program works

Matching process & local support

We'll help you find an au pair from South Africa who is a strong match in terms of personality, values, and parenting style. With guidance from our team during the matching process—and yearlong support from a local coordinator in your community—you’ll have expert help every step of the way.

Visa requirements & legal considerations

South African au pairs travel to the U.S. on a legal J-1 cultural exchange visa from the federal au pair program. These au pair visas for South Africans are issued by the U.S. Department of State which also regulates the program. Cultural Care is a designated sponsor of this program and is responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal regulations.

Understanding the program costs

Hosting an au pair through Cultural Care is a cost-effective alternative to daycare or nanny care—especially for those with multiple children. The cost of a South African au pair starts around $1,755/month. You're also expected to provide a weekly stipend, meals, and up to $500 toward your au pair’s educational requirement.

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The unique benefits of hosting a South African au pair

Help your children learn a South African language

While au pairs from South African are often fluent in English, many also speak one or more of South Africa’s official languages—such as Zulu, Xhosa, or Afrikaans—giving your children the chance to experience language learning through daily conversation, songs, and play.

Celebrating South African traditions in your home

With vibrant rhythms like kwaito and traditional celebrations such as Heritage Day, your au pair will bring rich traditions and South African culture into your home. Hosting means sharing everything from flavorful dishes like bobotie and braai to celebrations rooted in community and connection.

Tailored support for your family’s needs

Our South African au pairs provide care that fits into your family’s schedule and lifestyle—think help with school drop-offs and pick-ups, bedtime routines, weekend and date-night coverage, and everything in between.

How we support host families and South African au pairs in the USA

Preparation and training

Our team provides pre-arrival guidance and comprehensive training for both au pairs and host families, so everyone feels prepared and confident from day one.

Local support during the year

With the arrival of your South African au pair to the USA, you'll benefit from ongoing check-ins, 24/7 emergency support, and a dedicated local coordinator in your community.

Online and in-person events

Cultural Care hosts 365+ online and in-person support sessions and recreational activities, all of which program participants can access through the app.

Become a host family

Success story: How one South African au pair became a part of the family

“Sammy instantly blended in with our family and adapted to our routines with ease.

She brought an experienced and helpful hand to managing our four children, knowing just what to do without being asked, so that there were less things to think about and more enjoyment in our time together. We have created many fond memories that we hope Sammy keeps close to her heart as she moves ahead.”

Daniella, host mom to South African au pair Sammy

FAQs about South African au pairs

What are the requirements to become a South African au pair in the USA?

To become a South African au pair in America, Cultural Care has many requirements.

Candidates must:

Be between the ages of 18 and 26
Have completed secondary school or the equivalent education
Have at least 200 hours of childcare experience
Commit to 12 months in the USA with their American host family
Have a valid driver's license

As part of their application, au pairs must submit a doctor-issued health certificate and complete a criminal background check. Au pairs must also be willing to embrace the spirit of the au pair program, meaning they’re ready and excited to share their culture, learn about the U.S. and be part of a mutually beneficial relationship with an American family.

How long can an au pair from South African stay in the USA?

South African au pairs commit to staying with their host families in the U.S. for at least one year. Towards the end of their first year, South African au pairs can extend their time with their current family or with a new one for an additional 6, 9, or 12 months (as long as they are in good standing and have completed their Education Requirement in time). Altogether, South African au pairs can stay with your family for a maximum of two years.

Is there any training or certification prior to arriving in the USA?

Is sponsorship required for South African au pairs seeking a visa?

South African au pairs travel to the U.S. on a legal J-1 cultural exchange visa which are issued by the U.S. Department of State. Cultural Care is a designated sponsor of the federal au pair program, and responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal regulations.

As soon as an au pair and host family decide to match, our staff initiates the process for an au pair to be able to apply for their visa. After the au pair secures their visa appointment, they are invited to a workshop to help them feel prepared, and Cultural Care staff is on-hand to answer questions.

How does the matching process work for South African au pairs and host families?

The Cultural Care app makes matching with South African au pairs easy! After signing up and creating your profile, you’ll be able to search for au pairs in the app and use our filters to find candidates from South Africa. You can favorite the candidates you like best and start a chat or video call right through the app. Once you find a great match, you'll extend an offer to join your family. (Au pairs can initiate a match, too.) If you have questions or need help along the way, our team of Matching Specialists is available throughout your search.

What happens if the match between a host family and an au pair isn’t working out?

If things aren’t going well with your au pair, you should be in touch with your Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) or a Cultural Care staff member so we can help. The majority of conflicts between host families and au pairs happen as a result of personality differences or misunderstandings and these can usually be resolved through better communication. If your issues cannot be worked out, you may decide to continue the program with a new au pair, in which case we will work with you to find a better match as soon as possible. If you decide not to continue with the program, we will issue a refund if applicable (our refund policy is outline in the Host Family Agreement). Either way, it is expected that your au pair will stay with your family until they can find another host family or travel home.

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