Question 1

What is an au pair?

Accepted Answer

An au pair is a young person from abroad between the ages of 18 and 26 who joins your family for a year and provides child care assistance. Au pair are motivated by a desire to experience life in America, improve their education, and make a difference in your children's lives. This mutually beneficial relationship gives host parents live-in childcare coverage while offering au pairs a unique opportunity to be fully immersed in American culture.

Question 2

What is the difference between an au pair and a nanny?

Accepted Answer

An au pair comes to the US to live as a member of your family. They are motivated by a desire to experience life as part of your American family while providing childcare to your children. They will often join your family for meals and activities outside of their scheduled work hours. While all au pairs have childcare experience and training, they are not professional caregivers making a career out of childcare. On the other hand, US-based nannies typically work a set schedule and travel to your home each day to provide childcare. They are not typically motivated by a desire to experience cultural exchange or participate in family activities outside of their work hours. As professional caregivers, the cost of hiring a nanny can be more expensive than hosting an au pair.

Question 3

Who oversees the Au Pair Program?

Accepted Answer

Au Pair USA by InterExchange is designated by the US Department of State to operate the Au Pair Program. The Au Pair Program is overseen by the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as part of their BridgeUSA portfolio of programs. Like the other Bridge USA program, the Au Pair Program is primarily a cultural exchange program designed to enhance the United States's foreign policy and public diplomacy objectives.

Question 4

How long does it take to match with an au pair?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your family's needs and timing, it can take as little as a few days to find a match once you start the interviewing process. Our au pair screening process pairs you with au pairs who are ready to interview, and new au pairs become available regularly. We'd be happy to speak with you about your needs and timing to help you find your ideal candidate.

Question 5

What's the best way to interview an au pair?

Accepted Answer

We are here to help guide you through the interview process so that you can find an au pair that you are excited about hosting and who has the necessary skills to care for your children. Our Interview Guide makes the process easy and straightforward.

Question 6

What is your au pair screening process?

Accepted Answer

We are very selective about who is accepted into our program. Our au pair screening process involves each au pair completing an extensive application and undergoing a thorough background check in addition to an in-person interview. This information is available to families during the matching process.

Question 7

Do all au pairs speak English?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When it comes to the most important information for an Au Pair application, the ability to speak conversational English is required in order to qualify for the program. InterExchange verifies each applicant's English abilities during the application process. You will also have the opportunity to interview potential au pairs to make sure you are comfortable with their English abilities. You will be surprised at how quickly an au pair's English improves once in the U.S.

Question 8

Can au pairs care for infants?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many of our au pairs are qualified and enjoy caring for infants. Au pairs may not be the sole caregiver until the child is at least three months old.

Question 9

Do you have au pairs who are qualified to care for children with special needs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do have au pairs who are experienced caring for a variety of special needs situations. Please contact us to discuss your care needs and inquire about au pair availability.

Question 10

Do you place male au pairs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, male au pairs are a great option for some families. Families choosing a male au pair often have boys and are looking for a big brother to join the family.

Question 11

Do au pairs drive?

Accepted Answer

Most au pair applicants have a valid driver's license. If an au pair is a driver, they will be required to obtain an international driver's license prior to their arrival to the U.S. During your interview, you may ask the au pair about the extent of his or her driving experience. If the au pair will be driving your car, be sure to contact your auto insurance company to add the au pair to your auto insurance policy. Additionally, many states require the au pair to obtain a license from the local DMV.

Question 12

Where do InterExchange au pairs come from?

Accepted Answer

InterExchange is proud to sponsor amazing au pairs from over 25 countries. Aged 18 to 26, our au pairs are motivated by their love of working with children and their desire to experience living in the United States. We source au pairs directly through our network of international partners who specialize in travel and cultural exchange programs. Every au pair goes through an extensive application, interview, and background check process in order to qualify for the program.

Question 13

Why do au pairs participate in the program?

Accepted Answer

The Au Pair USA program allows au pairs to provide childcare to host families while earning money and participating in a true cultural exchange experience. Our au pairs are excited to travel to the U.S., improve their English, and experience American culture.

Question 14

How are au pairs trained?

Accepted Answer

Before arriving in the U.S., au pairs attend Au Pair USA's Online Academy. The 32-hour curriculum includes courses in Child Development, Pediatric and Adult CPR and First Aid Training, American Culture, Life as an Au Pair, Personal Safety, and other important topics.
Our Online Academy is custom-designed for au pairs and uses a variety of training methods, including live sessions with Au Pair USA staff, videos, online courses, and offline activities. The Online Academy meets the Department of State's training requirements.

Question 15

Who pays for the au pair flights?

Accepted Answer

Au Pair USA arranges and pays for au pairs to travel from their home country to your local community. Families who match with an au pair who is already in the U.S. are responsible for arranging and paying for the au pair's travel to their home. Upon successful completion of the au pair's program, Au Pair USA will coordinate the au pair's return travel.

Question 16

What type of visa do au pairs need?

Accepted Answer

All au pairs come to the U.S. on the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa, which is a non-immigrant visa granted by the U.S. Department of State. InterExchange functions as the visa sponsor for the au pair and will guide the au pair on how to apply for a J-1 au pair visa at the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.

Question 17

Are au pairs guaranteed to get a J-1 au pair visa?

Accepted Answer

No. Au Pair USA cannot guarantee that an au pair will receive a J-1 visa. The issuance of J-1 visas is the responsibility of the U.S. State Department. Embassy Consular Officers are responsible for making the decision to grant or deny a J-1 visa to an applicant. Our application process is designed to ensure that au pairs meet program requirements in order to be eligible to apply for a J-1 visa.

Question 18

How long can an au pair stay in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Au pairs initially come to the U.S. on a 12-month J-1 au pair visa and can extend for an additional 6, 9, or 12 months, allowing a family to benefit from up to two years of live-in childcare from the same au pair. At the end of their program, au pairs have a 30-day travel grace period in which they can remain in the U.S. (They are not permitted to work during this time.)

Question 19

Does Au Pair USA arrange pre-matches?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A pre-match is when a host family and au pair find each other outside of Au Pair USA's matching platform. We can accommodate pre-matches as long as both the au pair and host family meet program eligibility requirements. Learn more about our pre-match process.

Question 20

Do au pairs pay a fee to participate in the program?

Accepted Answer

Yes, au pairs usually pay a fee to participate in the program. Program fees vary depending on the au pair's country of origin. The au pair program is generally considered an affordable cultural exchange option since the au pair earns a weekly stipend and receives room and board from the host family.

Question 21

Do au pairs have health insurance while on the program?

Accepted Answer

All InterExchange au pairs have accident and sickness insurance that meets the U.S. Department of State's requirements for the program. Au pairs have access to a network of physicians and medical providers while on the program. Coverage and exclusion details are outlined in the insurance materials provided to the au pair. Au pairs have an option to upgrade their insurance coverage for an additional fee at the start of their program.

Question 22

What is the educational component of the program?

Accepted Answer

During their time in the U.S., au pairs are required to complete six semester hours of classroom credit at an accredited post-secondary institution. (Online courses do not count.) Host families agree to provide au pairs with up to $500 towards completing the educational requirements of the program. Your Local Coordinator can assist the au pair with finding classes that will meet these requirements.

Question 23

What if something goes wrong?

Accepted Answer

Our incredible network of caring Local Coordinators are committed to cultural exchange and helping our families and au pairs have a successful experience. If you feel something isn't working or have a problem, please contact your Local Coordinator for advice and assistance. In many instances, issues between families and au pairs can be resolved by talking through a situation. If a situation isn't able to be resolved, our team will work closely with you and your au pair.

Question 24

Can we share an au pair's services with another family?

Accepted Answer

No, the program is designed for an au pair to live with and care for one family's children. Au pairs are not permitted to have employment outside of their host family.

Question 25

Can we travel with our au pair?

Accepted Answer

Au pairs love to travel and explore new places while on the program. They can be a big help to traveling families. You'll need to ensure that your au pair has private accommodations during your travels and that the au pair's visa allows her/him to leave and re-enter the U.S. if traveling internationally. Au pairs should check the visa requirements of the countries being visited.

Question 26

Do I need to pay taxes for my au pair?

Accepted Answer

Au pairs are generally non-resident aliens, and therefore their host families would be exempt from paying federal unemployment taxes on their au pair wages. However, in extremely rare cases, an au pair who had previously been in the United States as a student, teacher, trainee or researcher in F, J, M or Q non-immigrant status might be considered a resident alien during their current stay in the United States. If this is the case you should consult with a tax professional to determine your reporting and withholding obligations.

Question 27

Do I need to have Workers' Compensation insurance for my au pair?

Accepted Answer

The answer depends upon the state in which you reside. Due to the fact that an employee-employer relationship exists between the host family and au pair, the family is responsible for determining whether Workers' Compensation insurance or any other insurance is mandatory under federal, state and/or local laws. Your homeowner's insurance company may be able to assist you in answering this question.

Question 28

What if there is an emergency?

Accepted Answer

An InterExchange staff member is always on call to assist with emergency situations involving the health, safety, and welfare of our participants. Call 1-917-373-0717 and follow the instructions for assistance.

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