The Au Pair program in the US is strictly regulated by the US State Department. The only legal way to participate in this initiative is through a sponsoring agency and an approved J-1 Au Pair visa. The visa application process and regulations, established by the US State Department's Au Pair program, ensure that participants meet the program's requirements, understand its purpose, and gain a successful experience.
The J-1 non-immigrant visa category was created under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act and is intended for individuals participating in work-and-study-based exchange visitor programs in the US.
If you're interested in the US tourist visa, follow this link.
What is the J-1 exchange visitor visa?
Under the Exchange Visitor J-1 non-immigrant visa, all programs share a common mission: to strengthen ties between the peoples of the US and other countries. All programs focus on educational and cultural advancement through work experience, and include professors and researchers, short-term scholars, trainers and interns, college and university students, teachers, secondary school students, specialists, physicians, international visitors, government visitors, camp counselors, au pairs, and summer work travel participants.
Au Pair USA J-1 visas are fully controlled by the US State Department, including qualification requirements, decisions on approval or denial, and the annual number of visas available to each sponsoring agency.
It's worth noting that non-immigrant visas are for temporary visits to the US. Permanent stay in the country under the program is not permitted. All Au Pair visas are valid for 1 year. The visa can also be terminated early if the participant leaves the US early or ends their participation in the program. It's important to note that there is an option to extend participation - representatives may stay for an additional 6, 9, or 12 months beyond the visa's expiration.
In this way, a candidate participating in the program has the legal right to continue their activities within the allowed period. However, the extension does not change the program completion date printed on the visa document. To qualify for an extension, an Au Pair participant must fulfill all program requirements in the first year, including completing education and attending events.
J-1 visas include a grace period for travel of up to 30 days after completing program participation (based on the completion date listed on Form DS-2019). During the grace period, Au Pairs are permitted not to work, but to travel within the US and prepare for departure. It's worth noting that an Au Pair cannot re-enter US territory during the program. This means that once they leave the US, they will not be allowed back in.
US Au Pair Visa Requirements and Qualifications
The US State Department has established regulations and qualification requirements for all exchange programs, so that participants clearly understand the purpose, achieve success, and know what to expect while in the US. Eligibility and compliance with the program help ensure the participant's safety and wellbeing.
Any exchange visitor applying for a J-1 visa must meet the following requirements:
- Have experience suitable for the exchange program
- Speak conversational English
- Have information about the program's goals, activities, work responsibilities, compensation, travel, housing, fees, insurance, and educational opportunities
- Have knowledge about life in the US, local community resources, healthcare, program description, rules, and sponsor information
- Have insurance that meets the minimum requirements for accidents and illness
Exchange program applicants applying for the Au Pair program must meet additional requirements, including:
- Age, education, and physical health requirements
- Undergo a criminal background check and psychometric evaluation
- Have knowledge about the host family, including all family members, a description of the home, and the local area
- Have information about work duties and responsibilities, working hours, compensation, and other benefits
- Have prior work experience, education, or training relevant to the family's childcare needs
- Have completed childcare training
Fees associated with the J-1 Au Pair visa include the sponsoring company's fee, as well as payments made to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US State Department.
If you want to be able to obtain an Au Pair visa, you need an invitation from a host family, which various companies can arrange. After the invitation, we can help you with the visa procedures. With our consultant, your path toward your goals becomes much more comfortable and simple.
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