How To Become an Au Pair

• 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 responsibility 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 and pass 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
• 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.

• 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.

• Applicant is mailed a complete host family application, DS-2019 form, insurance information, training itinerary, community profile and au pair manual.

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/forms/forms_1342.html

• In addition to the SEVIS I-901 $35.00 fee, there is an additional fee that 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 immediately or it could take up to three weeks to inform applicants of the decision.

Prior to Au Pair’s departure, all Au Pairs undergo a complete pre-departure orientation with your country’s representative. Once the orientation is complete, Au Pair Foundation will arrange your flight and provide the country representative and the Au Pair with the flight details.

Au Pairs will need about $200.00 in spending money to cover miscellaneous food, entertainment and transportation expenses.

• If the visa is approved, the au pair will complete an intensive 45-hour training of infant/child safety and development.

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