Au Pair Program in the U.S. on a J-1 Visa: Requirements, Duration, Host Family Rules, Compensation, and How to Apply

# Au Pair Program in the U.S. on a J-1 Visa: Requirements, Duration, Host Family Rules, Compensation, and How to Apply

The **Au Pair program in the United States** is one of the official exchange categories under the J-1 visa. It allows eligible young people to live with an American host family, participate in daily family life, provide childcare within regulated limits, and complete an educational component at a U.S. institution.

The program is not an ordinary childcare job and it is not an immigration route. Participation must be arranged through a **Designated Sponsor** approved by the U.S. Department of State. The sponsor is responsible for screening participants and host families, arranging the placement, issuing Form DS-2019, and supervising the exchange program.

Under the current rules, Au Pair participants must meet specific requirements relating to age, English ability, education, background screening, childcare responsibilities, study, working hours, and program participation.

## How is the Au Pair program connected to the J-1 visa?

Au Pair is one of the official categories within the U.S. Department of State's **Exchange Visitor Program**, also known as BridgeUSA.

A participant does not normally begin by applying directly for a J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy.

The process starts with an approved Designated Sponsor. After the sponsor determines that the applicant is eligible and matches the participant with a qualifying host family, the sponsor issues:

**Form DS-2019 – Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status**

The participant can then move forward with the J-1 visa application.

Receiving Form DS-2019 does not guarantee visa issuance. The final decision is made by a U.S. consular officer after reviewing the visa application.

## Who can apply for the Au Pair program?

Under the current BridgeUSA rules and 22 CFR §62.31, an Au Pair participant must generally:

• Be between **18 and 26 years old**.
• Be a secondary school graduate or equivalent.
• Be proficient in spoken English.
• Be physically capable of successfully participating in the program.
• Complete a personal interview conducted in English by an organizational representative.
• Successfully pass the required background investigation.

The background review includes verification of education and other checks required under the program rules.

The regulations also call for references and a criminal background check or recognized equivalent, together with an evaluation of the applicant's suitability for participation.

Meeting the basic criteria does not automatically guarantee acceptance. The Designated Sponsor remains responsible for screening and selecting participants.

## What does an Au Pair do in the United States?

An Au Pair lives in the home of the **Host Family** and provides childcare as part of an organized cultural exchange program.

The arrangement is different from being hired independently as a nanny or domestic worker.

The participant lives with the family, takes part in the cultural exchange experience, studies during the program, and provides childcare within limits established by the Exchange Visitor Program.

The Host Family must provide suitable private accommodation for the Au Pair as part of the placement, together with room and board.

BridgeUSA also encourages host families to include Au Pairs in family meals, activities, and events whenever reasonably possible.

Before beginning childcare duties, Au Pair participants receive at least **32 hours of childcare-related training**.

The regulations require at least:

• 8 hours of child safety instruction.
• 24 hours of child development instruction.

Additional training requirements apply in placements involving younger children.

## How many hours can an Au Pair work?

For the standard Au Pair program, childcare duties may not exceed:

**10 hours per day**

and

**45 hours per week**

These are maximum limits and do not mean the participant must work the full amount every day or every week.

The participant must also receive at least:

• One and a half days off each week.
• One complete weekend off each month.

The program's rules are designed to ensure that the placement remains an exchange program rather than unrestricted domestic employment.

## Are there special rules for caring for young children?

Yes.

An Au Pair may not be placed with a family that has a child under three months old unless a parent or another responsible adult is present in the home.

For a family with a child under two years old, the Au Pair must have at least:

**200 documented hours of infant childcare experience**

before being placed with that family.

Special rules also apply when an Au Pair will care for a child with special needs.

In those cases, the participant must have relevant prior experience, skills, or training, and the Host Family must acknowledge that it has reviewed the Au Pair's qualifications for that placement.

## Is studying required during the Au Pair program?

Yes.

Education is a mandatory part of the standard Au Pair program.

Participants must complete at least:

**6 semester hours of academic credit or the equivalent**

at an accredited U.S. post-secondary educational institution.

The Host Family must help facilitate the participant's enrollment and attendance and contribute up to:

**US$500**

toward the required educational coursework during the standard program period.

The educational component is therefore part of the official exchange program and not simply an optional benefit.

## What is EduCare?

EduCare is a special version of the Au Pair program designed for families that primarily need childcare before and after school.

Some rules differ from the standard program.

Under EduCare:

• Childcare is limited to 30 hours per week.
• The daily maximum remains 10 hours.
• The participant must complete 12 semester hours of academic credit or the equivalent.
• The Host Family contributes up to US$1,000 toward the educational requirement.
• The participant receives 75% of the weekly rate paid to non-EduCare Au Pair participants under the applicable program rules.

Applicants should therefore confirm whether they are joining the standard Au Pair program or an EduCare placement before comparing hours, compensation, or educational requirements.

## How much does an Au Pair earn in the United States?

Officially, the payment is better described as a **weekly stipend or compensation** rather than the salary of an ordinary childcare job.

Under the current regulations, Au Pair compensation must be based on 45 hours of childcare services per week and must comply with applicable **Fair Labor Standards Act – FLSA** requirements as implemented within the program.

BridgeUSA's current public guidance does not present one single fixed nationwide dollar amount that should automatically be described as the current Au Pair salary in every case.

For that reason, applicants should review the current compensation terms provided by their Designated Sponsor and the Host Family agreement rather than relying on older figures circulating online.

In addition to weekly compensation, the standard program includes important benefits.

| Benefit | Standard rule | | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | | Weekly compensation | Stipend under applicable program and FLSA requirements | | Housing | Suitable private room with the Host Family | | Food | Room and board included in the placement | | Education | Host Family contribution up to US$500 | | Weekly time off | At least 1.5 days per week | | Full weekend | At least one complete weekend per month | | Vacation | Two weeks of paid vacation during the 12-month program |

The regulations provide for **two weeks of paid vacation** during the standard 12-month program.

## How long does the Au Pair program last?

The standard Au Pair program lasts:

**12 months**

Current regulations also allow qualifying participants to seek extensions of:

• 6 months.
• 9 months.
• 12 months.

An extension is not automatic.

It must be arranged through the Designated Sponsor and remains subject to the applicable program procedures and approval requirements.

Additional educational requirements also apply during an extension period.

Participants extending for nine or 12 months generally face additional educational obligations based on the rules governing extended participation, while a six-month extension uses a proportionally reduced educational requirement.

## What is the difference between a Designated Sponsor and a Host Family?

This distinction is essential.

### Designated Sponsor

The Designated Sponsor is the organization officially approved by the U.S. Department of State to administer the Au Pair program.

Its responsibilities include:

• Screening Au Pair applicants.
• Screening Host Families.
• Matching participants with families.
• Providing required orientation and training.
• Monitoring participant welfare.
• Maintaining required SEVIS information.
• Issuing Form DS-2019.
• Supervising the program and responding to placement problems.

### Host Family

The Host Family is the family with whom the Au Pair lives and for whom the participant provides childcare under the program agreement.

The Host Family is **not the visa sponsor**.

A Host Family cannot independently issue Form DS-2019 or create its own J-1 Au Pair placement outside the designated sponsor system.

Families interested in hosting an Au Pair must work through an approved Designated Sponsor.

## How to apply for the U.S. Au Pair program

The typical process is:

1. Find a Designated Sponsor authorized for the Au Pair category.
2. Apply to the sponsor and complete the required eligibility and screening process.
3. Enter the matching process with eligible Host Families.
4. Agree to a qualifying placement and program arrangements.
5. Receive Form DS-2019 from the sponsor.
6. Pay the required I-901 SEVIS fee.
7. Complete Form DS-160.
8. Pay the J-1 visa application fee.
9. Schedule and attend the U.S. visa interview.
10. Wait for the consular decision.

Applicants should not treat Form DS-2019 as a guarantee that a J-1 visa will be issued.

## Au Pair fees and program costs

There are three separate cost categories that should not be combined into one number.

### J-1 Visa Application Fee

The current U.S. nonimmigrant visa application fee for the J category is:

**US$185**

Certain officially sponsored U.S. government exchange programs may qualify for exemptions, but Au Pair participants should not assume that an exemption applies automatically.

### I-901 SEVIS Fee

The current I-901 SEVIS fee for the Au Pair category is:

**US$35**

This is separate from the visa application fee.

### Sponsor and Program Fees

A Designated Sponsor may charge separate program or administrative fees.

These can vary depending on the organization and services provided.

They are not U.S. government visa fees and should be reviewed directly with the sponsor before the applicant commits financially.

## Can an Au Pair change Host Families?

Host family changes can occur within the official program.

However, the participant should not independently leave one family and begin working for another family outside the sponsor's supervision.

When a placement problem occurs, the Au Pair should contact the Designated Sponsor or the responsible local representative.

Any new placement must remain within the approved program structure and comply with the applicable Au Pair requirements.

The exact procedures for a rematch or host family change can vary by sponsor, so participants should review their sponsor's policies for their particular case.

## Can an Au Pair work another job?

No. The Au Pair category should not be treated as an open employment authorization.

The program is designed around childcare for the approved Host Family, together with cultural exchange and education.

A J-1 Au Pair participant should therefore not assume that they may take outside employment or work for unrelated employers.

The participant's activities must remain within the authorized Au Pair program.

## Can Au Pair participants bring J-2 dependents?

**No.**

BridgeUSA specifically states that the Au Pair category does not allow accompanying dependents in J-2 status.

The same restriction applies to certain other J-1 categories, including Camp Counselor, Secondary School Student, and Summer Work Travel.

This is important because J-2 dependents are available in some other J-1 categories, but not in the Au Pair program.

## Does the 212(e) two-year home-country requirement apply to Au Pairs?

Not automatically.

Some J-1 participants become subject to the **Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement under INA 212(e)** based on factors such as qualifying government funding or the Exchange Visitor Skills List.

An Au Pair should therefore not assume that 212(e) applies simply because they hold a J-1 visa.

The rule must be assessed based on the participant's individual program and circumstances.

Because 212(e) can affect certain future U.S. immigration options, it is better covered in a separate guide dedicated to the rule and available waiver procedures.

## What happens when the Au Pair program ends?

After the program end date shown on Form DS-2019, J-1 exchange visitors generally receive a:

**30-day grace period**

This period is intended for preparing to leave the United States and for travel after the exchange program.

It is not an extension of the Au Pair program.

The participant may not continue working as an Au Pair or continue exchange-program activities during the grace period.

## Common Au Pair mistakes to avoid

### Treating Au Pair as an ordinary childcare job

Au Pair is a regulated cultural exchange program combining childcare, education, and cultural participation.

### Making a private arrangement directly with a family

A Host Family cannot independently sponsor an Au Pair or issue Form DS-2019. Participation must go through an approved sponsor.

### Ignoring age or experience requirements

Applicants must meet the official age, education, English, screening, and applicable childcare-experience requirements.

### Assuming Form DS-2019 guarantees the visa

DS-2019 establishes program eligibility for the visa process. It does not guarantee visa issuance.

### Assuming outside work is permitted

The Au Pair category is not unrestricted employment authorization.

### Confusing the Host Family with the Sponsor

The family hosts the participant. The Designated Sponsor manages the official J-1 program.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the age limit for the U.S. Au Pair program?

Participants must be between 18 and 26 years old under the current program rules.

### How many hours does an Au Pair work?

The standard program allows a maximum of 10 hours of childcare per day and 45 hours per week.

EduCare placements are limited to 30 hours per week.

### Does an Au Pair receive a salary?

Au Pair participants receive weekly compensation or a stipend under the applicable program and FLSA requirements.

BridgeUSA's current public guidance does not provide one universal fixed figure that should be treated as the current salary for every participant.

### Are housing and meals included?

Yes. The participant lives with the Host Family and receives room and board, including a suitable private room.

### Can an Au Pair change Host Families?

A change may be possible, but it must be managed through the Designated Sponsor and remain within the authorized program.

### Can an Au Pair work outside the Host Family's home?

The Au Pair program is not an open work permit. Participants should not work for unrelated employers or outside the authorized program.

### How long does the Au Pair program last?

The standard program lasts 12 months, with possible extensions of 6, 9, or 12 months through the Designated Sponsor under the applicable rules.

## Conclusion

The U.S. Au Pair program is a **structured cultural exchange program under the J-1 visa**, not an unrestricted childcare job or an automatic immigration pathway.

Participants live with a Host Family, provide childcare within limits of up to 10 hours per day and 45 hours per week, complete a required educational component, and receive weekly compensation, room and board, time off, and paid vacation under the program rules.

The correct starting point is not finding a family independently. It is finding a **Designated Sponsor** authorized for the Au Pair category, because the sponsor manages eligibility, matching, Form DS-2019, SEVIS, and overall supervision of the exchange program.

## Official Sources Used for This Article

**U.S. Department of State – BridgeUSA – Au Pair** Used to verify: participant eligibility, age, English and education requirements, childcare hours, young-child restrictions, training, educational obligations, Host Family rules, sponsor responsibilities, and program duration.

**22 CFR §62.31 – Au Pairs** Used to verify: eligibility requirements, work-hour limits, time off, paid vacation, academic requirements, Host Family educational contribution, compensation framework, placement rules, and extensions.

**U.S. Department of State – BridgeUSA – Educational Component** Used to verify: academic credit requirements, Host Family educational contributions, and education during program extensions.

**U.S. Department of State – BridgeUSA – J-2 Visa** Used to verify: that the Au Pair category does not permit J-2 dependents.

**U.S. Department of State – Exchange Visitor Visa** Used to verify: J-1 visa application process, visa application fee, and the distinction between DS-2019 eligibility and visa issuance.

**U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – SEVIS / Form I-901** Used to verify: the US$35 I-901 SEVIS fee for Au Pair participants.

**U.S. Department of State – Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement** Used to verify: the general rules relating to INA 212(e).

**Last fact check: September 11, 2026.**