What Au Pair in America Is and How It Differs from Other Nanny Arrangements

Au Pair in America is a cultural exchange program run by the U.S. State Department that brings young people from other countries to live with American families and provide childcare. Unlike hiring a nanny independently, Au Pair in America is a formal program with legal sponsorship, training requirements, and structured placement — the program matches you with a candidate rather than you finding one yourself.

The key difference is that au pairs are temporary live-in caregivers, typically aged 18 to 26, who stay for 12 months (with possible extensions). They live in your home, receive room and board as part of their compensation, and are expected to participate in the family's life while providing childcare. A traditional nanny, by contrast, is usually a permanent employee who may or may not live with the family and is hired through independent channels.

Au Pair in America is one of several au pair programs operating in the United States, but it is the largest and the only one designated as a J-1 visa sponsor by the State Department. This official status means the program has legal authority to bring au pairs into the country and oversee their placement and working conditions.

Key Takeaways

  • Au Pair in America places young adults from abroad in your home for 12 months to provide childcare, and they live with your family as part of the arrangement.
  • The program charges a placement fee (typically several thousand dollars) plus you pay the au pair a weekly stipend, provide room and board, and cover certain costs like training and travel.
  • Au pairs work a maximum of 45 hours per week and are may have access to to at least one full day off per week, plus two weeks of paid vacation during their stay.
  • The program includes background checks, training for the au pair, and ongoing support from a local coordinator who can help if problems arise.
  • You must meet income requirements, have adequate space in your home, and commit to the full 12-month placement or pay an early termination fee.

How the Placement Process Works

Au Pair in America begins with your family completing an process and providing information about your household, your childcare needs, and your preferences for an au pair (age, language skills, experience with specific ages). The program reviews your process to confirm you meet their requirements — primarily that your household income is sufficient and you have appropriate living space for an au pair.

Once approved, you gain access to profiles of available au pairs from countries including France, Germany, Spain, Brazil, and many others. You review candidates, conduct interviews (often by video call), and select the au pair you want to host. The program then handles visa sponsorship, background checks on both sides, and arranges travel to the United States.

Before the au pair arrives, they complete online orientation and training provided by Au Pair in America. After arrival, they attend a week-long in-person orientation in a major U.S. city, where they receive training on childcare practices, cultural adjustment, and program rules. You are responsible for any additional training specific to your family's needs and routines.

What You Pay and What Is Included

Au Pair in America charges a program fee, which varies depending on the length of placement and any add-on services. This fee typically ranges from several thousand dollars and covers program administration, candidate screening, visa sponsorship, and ongoing coordinator support. You pay this fee upfront or in installments, depending on the program's current terms.

Beyond the program fee, you pay the au pair a weekly stipend set by the U.S. Department of State — this amount changes annually but is typically several hundred dollars per week. You also provide room and board (a private bedroom and meals), which satisfies part of their compensation. Additional costs you cover include the au pair's travel to your home from the airport, health insurance, and any training or activities the program requires.

The au pair does not pay you rent or contribute to household expenses. The arrangement is designed so that room and board plus the weekly stipend constitute their total compensation. If the au pair works overtime (beyond 45 hours per week), you must pay additional compensation at a rate set by the program.

Working Hours, Time Off, and House Rules

Au pairs are limited to 45 hours of childcare work per week, averaged over the course of their stay. This is a legal requirement under the J-1 visa program. Hours must be scheduled in advance and documented, and the au pair is may have access to to at least one full day off per week (typically a weekend day) when they are completely free from childcare duties.

Au pairs receive two weeks of paid vacation during their 12-month stay, which you schedule in advance. They also receive paid time off for U.S. federal holidays. If you need childcare beyond the 45-hour weekly limit, you must either hire additional help or pay the au pair overtime at the rate specified by Au Pair in America.

House rules and expectations should be discussed and documented before the au pair arrives. These might cover curfew, guests, use of the family car, household chores outside of childcare, and participation in family meals. The program provides guidance on setting reasonable expectations, and your local coordinator can help mediate if conflicts arise over rules or responsibilities.

Support and What Happens If Problems Arise

Each family is assigned a local coordinator employed by Au Pair in America. This coordinator conducts a home visit within the first two weeks of placement, checks in periodically, and is available to help if issues develop between the family and the au pair. The coordinator can address concerns about work hours, behavior, childcare quality, or cultural adjustment.

If a serious problem cannot be resolved — such as a safety concern, repeated rule violations, or a fundamental mismatch — the program can arrange for the au pair to be placed with a different family or, in rare cases, to return to their home country. If you decide to end the placement early without cause, you typically owe an early termination fee to Au Pair in America.

Au pairs also have access to support through the program, including a toll-free hotline, online resources, and local social events where they can meet other au pairs. This support structure exists to help both families and au pairs navigate the cultural exchange experience.

Income Requirements and Home may be able to access

Au Pair in America requires that your household meet a minimum income threshold, which varies by family size and is adjusted annually. The income requirement ensures that your family can afford the program costs and the au pair's stipend without financial strain. You will need to provide recent tax returns or pay stubs to document your income during the process process.

Your home must have a private bedroom for the au pair — this is a non-negotiable requirement. The bedroom should be furnished, climate-controlled, and meet basic standards for privacy and comfort. You must also have adequate bathroom facilities and space for the au pair to store personal belongings.

Families with very young children (infants under 2 months old) or families with more than two children under age 2 may face restrictions or additional requirements, as the program considers the au pair's ability to safely manage the workload. Discuss your specific situation with the program during the process phase.

The 12-Month Commitment and Extension Options

Au Pair in America placements are structured as 12-month commitments. If you terminate the placement early without the program's consent, you are responsible for paying an early termination fee (typically several thousand dollars) and may be required to cover the au pair's return travel costs. This fee structure exists to protect au pairs from sudden displacement and to encourage families to work through problems with coordinator support.

If both you and the au pair wish to continue after 12 months, extensions are possible. An extension typically requires a new agreement, an updated home visit, and payment of an extension fee. Extensions can be for 6 or 12 months, up to a maximum total stay of 24 months in the United States.

At the end of the placement, you are responsible for ensuring the au pair has a return ticket to their home country or that they have made alternative arrangements. The program provides guidance on the transition process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hire an au pair directly without going through Au Pair in America?

You can hire a live-in caregiver independently, but they would not have J-1 visa sponsorship and would need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or you would need to sponsor them through a different visa category (which is complex and expensive). Au Pair in America handles all visa and legal sponsorship, which is why most families use the program rather than attempting independent placement.

What if the au pair and my family are not a good match?

Your local coordinator can help address conflicts and work toward solutions. If the mismatch is serious and cannot be resolved, the program can arrange for the au pair to be placed with another family. You would still owe fees for the time served, but you would not be charged the full early termination fee if the program initiates the change.

Do au pairs have any childcare training or certification?

Au pairs are not required to be certified childcare professionals, though many have childcare experience. The program provides orientation and training, but you should discuss the au pair's specific experience with your candidate during the interview process. If you need someone with formal credentials, you may want to consider hiring a nanny instead.

Can an au pair drive my children?

Au pairs can drive your children if they have a valid driver's license from their home country (or obtain a U.S. license), carry appropriate insurance, and you give permission. Many families do allow this, but it is your decision. Discuss driving expectations and any restrictions during the interview and before placement.

What happens if I need to move during the au pair's stay?

You can relocate with your au pair if the move is within the United States and does not significantly change the nature of the childcare job. Notify your coordinator of the move. If the relocation would substantially alter the placement (for example, moving to a remote area where the au pair would be isolated), the program may need to reassess the arrangement.