Frequently Asked Questions

Families wishing to host an au pair are required to:

• Pay up to $500 toward the cost of the au pair’s required academic course work
• Provide an appropriate suitable private room and three meals a day for the au pair
• Be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents fluent in spoken English
• Pay a weekly minimum stipend based on the program option selected
• Give the au pair one complete weekend off each month (Friday evening to Monday morning)
• Facilitate the care provider’s requirement to enroll in and attend an accredited post-secondary institution
• Provide a minimum of two weeks paid vacation per 12-month exchange term (prorated for extensions)
• Include the au pair whenever possible in family meals, outings, holidays, and other events

Host families and au pairs must sign an agreement detailing the au pair’s obligation to provide child care prior to placement in the host family’s home. In the event of questions regarding refunds or adjustments, host families and au pairs should refer to their agreements. The Department of State does not have jurisdiction over contractual obligations.

While au pair candidates come to us with a wide range of childcare experience, they must each meet the following minimum requirements per Department of State regulations:

• 18 to 26 years old
• Proficient in conversational English
• Good health
• High school graduate or equivalent
• Minimum of 200 hours of documented child care experience
• Have successfully passed a detailed background investigation
• Pass a detailed screening process

Many of our au pairs are also university graduates, have experience with infants and toddlers, have knowledge in First Aid, and possess a driver’s license!

Of course! We work with many host families that have already found their au pair outside of our agency. Your au pair candidate will go through our normal screening and application process, and also receive thorough training and guidance with his/her visa acquisition.

To ensure both host families and au pairs have a positive and safe cultural exchange experience, it's important to work with an agency that can advocate for both parties. Au Pair International is a sponsor agency designated by the U.S. Department of State. As a sponsor agency, we are responsible for:

• Screening and selecting both host families and au pairs according to U.S. Department of State regulations.
• Providing au pairs with training in child development and child safety before placement with a host family.
• Offering an orientation upon arrival in the United States with comprehensive information about life in the U.S.
• Being transparent about fees, housing, and program disclosures, with a clear itemized list of costs and expectations.
• Monitoring each au pair’s participation, including their physical location, well-being, and program progress.
• Submitting program-specific management reviews to the U.S. Department of State to maintain program integrity and compliance.

Sponsors also ensure key program standards, including:

• Eligibility: Au pairs must be 18–26 years old, proficient in spoken English, and complete at least six hours of academic credit at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution.
• On-Duty Hours: Childcare is limited to no more than 10 hours per day and 45 hours per week.
• Childcare Experience: Au pairs can provide up to 45 hours of childcare per week.
• Financial Compensation: Au pairs receive compensation in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, as interpreted by the U.S. Department of Labor.

We are very fortunate to have partner agencies in over 40 countries, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your specific requests! Whether you have preferences regarding home country, languages spoken, religion, or childcare experience, our team will work closely with you to help find the right au pair to join your family.

Yes! We have both male and female au pair candidates looking for host families. By welcoming a male au pair into your home, your children will gain a big brother and a fantastic role model!

Absolutely! In addition to our standard au pair program, we also have many infant qualified candidates available to care for infants and toddlers under the age of 2. To be designated as an “infant qualified” au pair, candidates must provide verified references demonstrating a minimum of 200 hours of childcare experience with children under the age of 2.

Please note: If your infant is under 3 months old, another responsible adult must be present in your home at all times. Regulations prohibit an au pair from being the sole caregiver for an infant younger than 3 months.

To view our Standard, Infant Qualified, and Professional program fees, please visit the following link: Program Fees

Our au pair candidates come to us with a variety of childcare experience, including those with professional teaching backgrounds and experience working with special needs children. Our childcare coordinators would be happy to discuss your family’s unique situation and help you find an au pair who meets your specific needs.

Yes! One of the many benefits of hosting an au pair is having extra help transporting children to various activities. Most of our au pair candidates have a full driver’s license and express a willingness and desire to drive while in the United States. As part of our application process, we interview each au pair regarding their driving abilities, including:

• How long they have held their license
• Whether they’ve been involved in any car accidents
• How often they currently drive per week
• The types of roads they are accustomed to driving on
• If they’re comfortable driving in winter weather conditions
• Whether they currently own a car

Yes! In addition to the initial 12-month program term, your au pair may apply for a visa extension for an additional 6, 9, or 12 months. This means your au pair could potentially stay with your family for up to 2 years!

Depending on your specific needs, we have several options for arrival. While the match process typically takes about 6 weeks, we often have available au pairs already in the United States who are ready to arrive at your home within a few days. In some cases, we may also be able to expedite the process of bringing a candidate from overseas.

We understand that our host families lead busy lives, which is why we offer flexible arrival dates for your convenience.

Looking for an au pair to arrive immediately? Click here to see a list of candidates already in the United States and available to arrive within a short time-frame.

From start to finish, you will have the full support of Au Pair International to help ensure the success of your exchange program. Your family will be assigned a local Area Director who will stay in close contact with you throughout your program term, offering guidance and answering any questions along the way.

Your Area Director will also organize monthly activities for your au pair, giving them the opportunity to meet other participants in the area. Additionally, you’ll have the support of your assigned Regional Director for further guidance and assistance.

Au Pair International is proud to offer fun and affordable sightseeing trips for au pair participants to explore popular U.S. destinations and connect with exchange participants from around the world. Previous trips have included New York City, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Chicago, and the Grand Canyon. Click here to view upcoming destination trips.

*As a program participant, you will also have access to a 24/7 support line for immediate assistance whenever needed.

Host families are required to provide their au pair with a weekly stipend, or allowance, in accordance with U.S. Department of State regulations. This stipend is intended to compensate the au pair for their childcare services.

The minimum weekly stipend is calculated based on the federal minimum wage, minus a deduction for room and board. Currently, Au Pair International recommends a minimum weekly stipend of $195.75 for standard and infant-qualified au pairs.

For professional au pairs, the recommended minimum weekly stipend is $250 per week.

While Au Pair International cannot provide specific tax advice, we can share general guidelines. We strongly recommend that both host families and au pairs consult with a tax attorney or accountant for detailed, personalized information.

For Host Families

You may be eligible to claim the Dependent and Child Care Credit when filing your federal tax return. Some employers also offer Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts. In either case, you’ll need your au pair’s Social Security number to complete the filing or reimbursement process.

For Au Pairs

As a J-1 visa holder, you are required to file a federal tax return. The stipend you receive is considered taxable income, and you will owe tax to the IRS. Most au pairs are considered “non-resident aliens” under IRS regulations.

Key changes affecting tax filing include:

• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 removed the personal exemption of $4,050, which previously allowed J-1 participants to earn a portion of income tax-free.
• All J-1 visa holders must still file a federal tax return. If you plan to return to the U.S. in the future, it’s important to file correctly.

For more information, visit the IRS website and search for “au pair”:

• IRS Au Pair Page
• Taxation of Nonresident Aliens

Please note: Most online tax software, such as TurboTax, is not suitable for non-resident aliens. See: TurboTax Notice 1 and TurboTax Notice 2.

Au Pair International recommends using Sprintax, the only online tax software designed for non-resident U.S. tax returns. Sprintax allows au pairs to prepare federal and state tax returns quickly and easily. Participants receive a $5 discount with a code available in the Resources section of your online account.

In addition to the Program Fee paid to our agency and the weekly stipend provided to your au pair, please be aware of the following potential expenses:

• Room and board: Expect higher utility and food bills as your au pair lives in your home. Note that au pairs are responsible for their own personal care items and clothing.
• Educational contribution: Host families are required to contribute up to $500 per au pair, per year, toward the cost of the au pair’s required academic coursework.
• Vehicle use: If your au pair will be driving a family vehicle, consider the cost of adding them to your car insurance policy.
• Alternative childcare: You will need to plan for childcare coverage during your au pair’s vacation time. Each au pair is entitled to a minimum of two (2) weeks of paid vacation per 12-month term (prorated for shorter terms), along with at least 1.5 days off per week and one full weekend off per month.

Whether you're new to the program or a seasoned host family, we have stellar discounts just for you! To see all current promotions and savings opportunities, please visit our Discounts and Rewards page.