Become an Au Pair
An au pair is a cultural exchange participant between the ages of 18 and 26 who travels to the United States on the J-1 Visitor Exchange Visa to provide childcare in exchange for the experience to live with and become part of an American family.
About the Au Pair Program
An au pair is a young international visitor who lives with a host family as part of an international cultural exchange program. The au pair program is a great way to experience the USA! Au Pairs live with their host family and provide up to 45 hours of childcare per week, in exchange for accommodations, a weekly stipend, and money to study in the USA. Our program allows au pairs to experience American education, life, and culture in an affordable international program!
Standard au pairs earn a minimum weekly stipend of $195.75. The U.S. Department of State calculation of the minimum weekly stipend is based on the federal minimum wage with a 40% deduction for room and board in exchange for childcare services. Host families and au pairs are free to agree to compensation higher than the legally applicable minimum.
Benefits of the Au Pair Program:
- Experience American life and culture
- Gain valuable international travel and global experience
- Improve your English language skills
- Become more independent and self-confident
- Make new friends from around the world
Agent Au Pair offers 3 program options: Standard Au Pair Program, TutorCare Program, and Au Pair Pro Program.
How can you benefit from being an au pair?
Sponsorship & Pay
- Maximum work of 45 hours per week/ 10 hours per day
- Weekly stipend based on your program
- Medical Insurance – Comprehensive medical coverage, telehealth, counseling, and emergency support.
- Sponsorship of a 12 month J-1visa
- Optional extension of your program for another 6, 9, or 12 months
- 24 / 7 emergency direct line for emergency situations and continuous support
Housing & Travel
- A private bedroom with a pre-screened host family
- Round trip airfare to the United States from your home country
- Two weeks paid vacation & one full weekend off per month
- 30 days to travel the country upon the successful completion of your program
Educational Benefits
- All au pairs attend Au Pair School at the beginning of their program.
- Standard Au Pairs receive up to $500 for enrollment in an accredited post-secondary institution for 6 units of academic credit or its equivalent. (TutorCare Au Pairs receive up to $1,000 for 12 semester credits or equivalent)
- Au pairs who extend their visa are required to take additional 3 – 6 credits based on their extension
- Exclusive access to the Renzulli Learning for Au Pairs Worldwide Free Course
Improve English Language
- Access to iTEP English language proficiency test.
- Access to the Flow Speak App for conversational English practice.
- The option to enroll in a reduced-cost TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Plus course.
Career Benefits
- Agent Au Pair infuses Renzulli teaching methods into our program to elevate its learning benefits. Au pairs are trained in Renzulli methods and leverage the Renzulli Learning System.
- As a member of Agent Au Pair, au pairs have the option to take a free online course and receive 9 Contact Hours from the University of Connecticut that they can put on their resume!
- Learn more about all exclusive Professional Development opportunities
The U.S. Department of State calculation of the minimum weekly stipend is based on the federal minimum wage with a 40% deduction for room and board in exchange for childcare services. Host families and au pairs are free to agree to compensation higher than the legally applicable minimum.
Requirements to be an Au Pair
In order to become an au pair, you must meet the U.S. Department of State Requirements to be qualified for the au pair program. The requirements and regulations are the same for all Au Pair Programs in the United States.
- Be between the ages of 18 and 26 when they arrive in the USA
- Be available for a 12 month cultural exchange program (with the option to extend 6, 9, or 12 months)
- Have at least 500 hours of previous childcare experience with non family members
- Have good English language skills – achieve a Minimum B1 level of English on the iTEP English test
- Be a secondary school graduate or equivalent
- Be in good health and have no criminal record
- Have a driver’s license
** To care for children under the age of two, au pair candidates must have at least 200 hours of previous childcare experience with children under the age of two.
Agent Au Pair supports program participation from all nations, but obtaining a J-1 Visa may be challenging in some countries.
Learn More about becoming an au pair with Agent Au Pair by reading our brochure!
Au Pair Program FAQs
Agent Au Pair offers an award-winning, fully supported cultural exchange program that prioritizes personalized matching and exceptional customer service.
We are incredibly proud to have been ranked #1 in Newsweek’s America’s Best Customer Service for Nanny and Au Pair Agencies. From the moment you begin your application until you complete your program in the United States, our team guides you every step of the way.
As an Agent Au Pair, you will enjoy unique benefits designed for your success:
- Personalized matching tools to find the perfect host family.
- Access to dedicated English language support.
- Comprehensive childcare training tools and unique professional development opportunities.
- Continuous local and 24/7 emergency support throughout your stay in the USA.
To join the program, you must be between 18 and 26 years old, have a driver’s license, and love working with children.
Because the au pair program is an official U.S. government program, you must meet these rules:
- Be 18 to 26 years old when you arrive in the USA.
- Have at least 200 hours of childcare experience.
- Speak enough English to talk easily with your host family.
- Have a valid driver’s license from your home country.
- Have finished high school (secondary school).
- Be in good health and pass a background check.
No, you do not need to speak fluent or perfect English.
You just need to speak well enough to understand your host family, care for the children safely, and handle daily life in the USA. Your English will get much better every day while you live there!
Yes, the matching process is completely mutual, and you will have full control over choosing the host family you want to live with.
Through our matching platform, you can review detailed host family profiles, see their lifestyle and schedule, and interview them via video calls. You will only finalize a match when both you and the host family agree that you are the perfect fit for one another.
Au pairs receive a weekly stipend, plus free housing, meals, and health insurance.
The minimum weekly stipend for the Standard Au Pair Program is $195.75.
Yes. You can travel during your time off, weekends, and vacation time.
After your program, you also receive a 30-day travel period to explore the United States.
The program is 12 months. Au pairs have the option extend for 6, 9, or 12 more months if they are eligible.
After the program, you also receive a short travel period before returning home.