Frequently Asked Questions

How is Au Pair Foundation's program regulated by the Department of State?
Au Pair Foundation must annually submit to DOS copies of our advertisement and recruitment materials. We must submit a summary of the annual survey we conduct of host families and au pairs, which includes a summation of all complaints received and their resolutions. We must report to DOS all situations which resulted in the placement of an au pair with more than one host family. Au Pair Foundation is audited annually to ensure compliance with the procedures and reporting requirements set forth in DOS's Regulations.

What is the Educational Component of the Au Pair program?
Au pairs are required to attend an institution of higher education to earn at least six-hours of academic credit, and host families must pay up to $500 of the cost.

What is the difference between a nanny and an au pair?
Nannies are child-care providers who are paid for their expertise and experience and they are employees of the family for whom they work. Au pairs, on the other hand, are participants in a DOS cultural exchange program. Au pairs provide up to 45-hours of child-care per week as part of their responsibility to their host family and are considered members of the family, NOT domestic servants.

What kind of training and experience is required to be an au pair?
Au pairs must be proficient in spoken English and have a high-school diploma or the equivalent. Before becoming part of a host family they receive 8-hours of child safety and 24-hours of child development instruction. At least 4- hours of the child safety training will be infant-related and at least 4- hours of the child development instruction will be devoted to the care of children under 2-years of age.
The child safety training, provided by qualified organizations, includes topics such as stress management and shaken baby syndrome. Additionally, au pairs responsible for children under 2 years of age must have at least 200 hours of documented infant child care experience.
Au pairs will NOT have specialized training in nursing. They are NOT to dispense prescription medication or undertake therapy regimes.

What costs are involved?
The average annual cost to an American host family is about $17,000. This includes fees to Au Pair Foundation, a weekly payment (currently $195.75 a week), an educational allowance of up to $500, and room/board. Host families are responsible for the costs of the au pair's travel from the training to the host family home.

How soon after we apply for an au pair can we expect to review candidates?
Once we receive your completed and signed Host Family Application, Agreement, Payment Plan Option, and references, we will schedule an in-home interview with you. You will be able to review applications shortly thereafter.

How do we select our au pair?
Au Pair Foundation will provide you with information on au pair candidates with whom you are compatible. You will be able to see each candidate's application, essay, references, and medical report. If you are interested in a particular candidate, you will have an opportunity to communicate through e-mail and then interview them over via SKYPE. This will allow you to discuss your interests, child care expectations and background before deciding whether they are right for you.

Can we get an au pair any time of the year?
Yes - Au Pair Foundation schedules Au Pair arrival dates according to Host Family and Au Pair needs. Au Pairs can and do arrive any day of the year all year round.

Do you offer male au pairs as well as females?
Yes - male au pairs make excellent nurturing caregivers to children. It's like having an older brother for your children.

What can you expect as an Au Pair Foundation Au Pair?
You can expect an exciting year living in the United States with an English speaking family. In exchange, you are expected to give loving and responsible childcare for 45-hours each week. You may also be asked to help out with making the children's meals or helping them keep their rooms tidy. Although you are not a domestic servant, you may be asked to help around the house. And you'll have free time to get to know your American community with family and friends.

What are au pairs entitled to?
Au pairs are entitled to a private bedroom, meals, a weekly wage which will increase if the minimum wage increases, a full weekend off each month, two weeks of paid vacation, and up to $500 towards attending an institution of higher education.

What are host families entitled to?
Host families are entitled to a maximum of 10 hours a day/45-hours a week of child care and they have the benefit of someone from another culture living in their home.

What responsibilities do both parties have?
Either a parent or responsible adult must be present in the home for the first three days that the au pair is with the host family. This can include a weekend. There must be a signed written agreement between the host family and the au pair outlining the au pair's obligation to provide not more than 45-hours of child-care per week. The host family and au pair must attend at least one of their sponsoring organization's family day events during the au pair's program year.

How long can an au pair stay with a family, and can the arrangement be extended?
Au Pairs can stay with their host family in the U.S. for one year. Three months prior to the end of the program year both the au pair and host family have the option of extending the match for 6, 9 or 12 months. The host family can also choose a new au pair for a 12 month placement. The current au pair can choose to be matched with a new host family for 12 months. APF host families receive discounted fees for renewing.

Can the au pairs drive?
Most au pairs are fully licensed to drive in their home countries. If the host family wants the au pair to drive they must include the au pair on their insurance policy and assume the associated costs.

What if I have questions after the initial selection and match have been made, or what if a problem arises?
Our Community Representatives are available to help and counsel one or both parties of an au pair program match.

What do we do if there's an emergency?
You should contact your Community Representative. If unavailable, we have a 24-hour emergency answering service that will connect you to an Au Pair Foundation staff member. The number is 1-866-428-7247.

If I am not happy with the arrangement, can I back out?
Both the host family and the au pair have options if they are not happy with the arrangement. In the rare event that an au pair isn't right for your family, your Community Representative will work with you to find a replacement as quickly as possible. However, we do ask that no relocations be made until after the first two-months to give both parties time to adjust.

Is withholding of Social Security tax required on the weekly stipend paid to each Au Pair?
The Internal Revenue Code states "Services performed by a non-resident-alien while temporarily in the United States as a non-resident under subparagraph (J) of Section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act are excluded from coverage under the Social Security Program if the services are performed to carry out the purpose for which the non-resident alien was admitted to the United States."

Are the payments to the Au Pairs taxable to them and is Federal withholding required?
While the weekly stipend given to the au pair is not subject to Social Security, it is taxable to the au pair as wages. According to the IRS, there is no provision exempting these amounts paid, whether they have "J" visas or not. The IRS considers these payments to represent services rendered as a household "employee." Federal withholding is not required unless the "employee" (Au Pair) asks the "employer" (Host Family) to withhold Federal income tax and the "employer" agrees to do so.

Does the weekly stipend payment to each Au Pair represent a qualifying child care expense to the Host Family?
The host family should verify their particular situation with their personal tax advisor, CPA, or accountant. Generally the child care credit is allowed to a taxpayer who maintains a household for one or more children. The children for whom a dependency exemption can be claimed must be under age thirteen and the child-care expenses must enable the taxpayer to be gainfully employed or to seek gainful employment. These expenses include expenses for household services and the care of the child or children.

Does the fee paid by the Host Family to Au Pair Foundation qualify as a child care expense?
Possibly, however, we cannot answer for certain. On this point especially, Au Pair Foundation advises host families to discuss this issue with their personal tax advisor, CPA, or accountant.

What effect do the IRS reporting requirements have on the Au Pair program?
Host families who wish to take the child-care credit on their Federal Income Tax Return or obtain reimbursement from an employer-sponsored, flexible spending account for the weekly pocket money paid to the au pair, must have a Social Security number for their au pair. In order to qualify for a Social Security number, the au pair must provide proof, on organization letterhead, of her authorization to work as an au pair with an American family. In addition, she must present her Sevis DS-2019 Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Visa Status), her passport containing a valid J1-Visa, and an I-94 card (the Departure Card that is stapled in her passport). Au pairs who need to apply for a Social Security Card should contact their local Community Representative who will provide them with the “authorization for employment” letter. Finally, as noted above, all these issues should be discussed with and confirmed by a host family's personal tax advisor, CPA, or accountant.