What are the steps to become an Au Pair Foundation au pair?

Step 1: Complete the minimum requirements:

• Be between 18-26 years old.
• Have at least a high school diploma, some university education is preferred.
• Must enjoy children, have the maturity and demonstrated responsibilty to take on a full year of living and working in an American home for the purpose of helping the family with childcare.
• Present two non-family Childcare References and at least one Character Reference. (Infant Qualified Applicants will have 200 hours of documented infant experience) Typical references include work with day-care centers, neighbors and schools.
• Present an original criminal background investigation document from local authorities and undergo a medical examination.
• Take a Psychometric Evaluation.
• Hold a personal interview with our international partner in your home country to evaluate English level and suitability for the program.
• Fill out an Au Pair Foundation application and contact a local Au Pair Foundation Representative.
To see the closest Au Pair Agent near you, click here, APF Partners.
• Sign and understand the Au Pair Pledge.
• Read and understand the Department of State Regulations governing the Au Pair Visitor Exchange Program. Also please note the Amendment to Section 62.31.
• Make an appointment with your local dentist for a checkup to take care of any outstanding dental problems since your au pair insurance only covers emergency dental treatment.

Step 2: Application is reviewed and if approved, on-line profile is activated

•Screened and approved host families gain access to au pair applications and home phone numbers. Au Pair Foundation conducts home visits, interviews and checks references of all selected host family to assure program compatibility.
• Host families interview applicants by telephone. At least two telephone interviews are required before any match can be determined.
•Qualified applicants are usually placed within 3-4 months. However, Au Pair Foundation cannot guarantee placement.

Step 3: The match is made!
Selected applicants are notified of a family's interest in hiring them. If the match is accepted by the applicant, the applicant pays the international partner the Au Pair Foundation refundable $400.00 security deposit.
• Applicant is mailed a complete host family application, DS-2019 form, insurance information, training itinerary, community profile and au pair manual.
• The applicant completes the Pre-Departure Project and submits it to Au Pair Foundation headquarters before their departure. Applicants should spend at least three hours preparing this project.

Step 4: The applicant schedules an interview with the US Embassy
To get an idea of the wait time for an interview at your nearest US Embassy, please consult this page:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html

To find the closest US Embassy near you please review here:
http://usembassy.state.gov/

• Once the DS-2019 form arrives, the applicant schedules an interview with the nearest US Embassy for a J-1 non-immigrant visa.

The au pair must pay a new fee to the Homeland Security Department called the I-901 fee. This $35.00 USD fee can only be paid on line at this site:
http://www.fmjfee.com.Click on the File I-901 Form online and enter the information from the DS-2019 form. You must pay the fee with a credit card and print the receipt after the process is complete. This receipt is presented to the US Embassy at the time of interview.

Fill out the US Embassy interview forms DS-156, 157 and 158 which can be downloaded at his site: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html

• In addition to the SEVIS I-901 $35.00 fee, an additional fee of $100.00 is required at the time of interview along with DS-156, 157, 158 applications and the DS-2019 form.
• The US Embassy decides whether an applicant is issued the J-1 visa or not. Depending on the Embassy, applicants are notified immediatly or it could take up to three weeks to inform applicants of the decision.
•If the visa is denied, the $400.00 Security Deposit is refunded to the applicant.

Step 5: The visa is approved - time for departure and training

Before departing your home country, all au pairs must undergo a complete pre-departure orientation with your country's representative. Once the completion of orientation form is received, the airline tickets will be sent to you.

• If the visa is approved, the au pair will fly to Newark, New Jersey to participate in an intensive 32-hour training of infant/child safety, development and American Red Cross certification. Transportation from the airport is provided. Lodging and most meals are provided during this time. Au Pairs will need about $200.00 in spending money to cover miscellaneous food, entertainment and transportation expenses.

Step 6: The Au Pair meets the Host Family

• Once the training is complete, transportation to the host family home is provided and an exciting year begins for the au pair. Local Community Representatives will assist the au pair all year.
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