Au Pair USA
J-1 Visa Program for young caregivers between the ages of 18-26. Grow, learn and create lifelong bonds across borders!
Who can apply
- Aged 18 to 26
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 200 hours of childcare experience
- Intermediate English or better
- EU, EEA, UK or Swiss citizen
What you get
- Live with an American host family
- Weekly stipend
- Education allowance
- 12 months, extendable
Visa: J-1 Au Pair
What the program is
You live with an American host family for a year and care for their children, while you experience the USA from the inside. You become part of the family: you help with the kids, and they welcome you into their home and their daily life.
Most au pairs tell us the same thing afterwards: the friends they made and the little everyday moments are what they remember most. School runs, birthday parties, road trips and a second family on another continent.
Why become an au pair
A year with a host family gives you more than any trip could.
Travel & cultural immersion
Explore vibrant cities and iconic landmarks in your time off, and experience American life from inside a real family's home.
Language skills
Living and speaking with locals every day is the easiest way to improve your English.
Networking & CV boost
International experience, language skills and childcare expertise read well on any CV.
International friendships
You'll meet au pairs from all over the world, and many of those friendships last a lifetime.
Personal growth
A year away builds independence, adaptability and problem-solving like nothing else.
Eligibility
To qualify for the program, you need:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Aged 18 to 26
- A valid passport
- 200 hours of childcare experience
- A clean criminal record
- Good health
- Proficient English
- Pass an interview with us, where we check your English and eligibility
Nice to have
None of this is required, but families love it. It makes a match more likely and your year easier:
- Infant care experience: 200 verified hours with children under 2
- Strong childcare references
- A valid driver's license with a clean driving record
- Extra skills like swimming, sports, cooking or music
- Formal childcare, child development or first aid training
- Teaching, nursing or camp counseling experience
- Experience living away from home
- An open mind towards religion, race and single-parent families
Two ways to join
Pick the option that fits your situation.
Full Program
We find a host family in the USA for you, and we also help you with the visa process.
- We match you with a screened host family
- Full visa sponsorship guidance
- Your host family pays your round-trip flight
- 24-hour support during your stay
Independent Program
Already found a host family in the USA on your own? We will help you with the visa process.
- You found the family, we handle the paperwork
- DS-2019 form arranged
- Full visa sponsorship guidance
- Support during your stay
What you'll do
- Work up to 45 hours per week, on a flexible schedule, never more than 10 hours a day
- Light housekeeping related to the children, like cooking, cleaning and laundry
- Driving the children to and from school, appointments and activities
- Introducing your own language and culture to the host family
Compensation
- A weekly payment directly from the host family
- Two weeks of paid vacation and one full weekend off per month
- A $500 education allowance
- Your own room and full board
- Medical insurance
- A paid round-trip flight to your host family's community
- Online orientation training before you arrive
- Regular social and cultural activities with other au pairs nearby
- 24-hour support
Housing
You'll live with your host family for the whole stay. It's the most authentic way to experience American life: you get your own room and access to the shared spaces in the home, and a family around you that can show you the ropes.
Many au pairs stay in touch with their host family long after the year ends.
Fees
A transparent overview of the costs involved.
Program consultation
We check your eligibility, talk through your options and plan your next steps
Free
Program fee
Includes the matching process and full support throughout your stay
$1,000
U.S. Consulate visa fee
Paid directly to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate when you book your visa interview
$185
Insurance
Paid by the host family
Free
You'll receive the exact program costs during your free consultation.
Application process
From first contact to your first day with the family.
Apply and talk to us
Register free through our website. We contact you personally and arrange a video interview to check your eligibility and program options.
Build your profile
We help you put your file together: CV, letter of introduction to the family and a video application. Then your profile goes in front of our host families.
Match and visa
Once a family chooses you, we prepare you for the interview with them and start your J-1 visa process.
Fly to the USA
After your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy and a pre-travel orientation, you're off. Your host family pays your round-trip flight.