How to Sponsor an Au Pair in the United States: A Host Family Guide

In the United States, a host family does not sponsor an au pair by filing an immigration petition. Instead, the family works with a U.S. Department of State-designated exchange visitor sponsor, which administers the au pair program and supports the participant’s J-1 visa process. Understanding the sponsor’s role, family requirements, costs, and program rules can help households decide whether this child-care arrangement is a good fit.

Meta description: Learn how to sponsor an au pair in the United States through a designated J-1 program sponsor, including eligibility, costs, visa steps, and host-family responsibilities.

What “Sponsoring an Au Pair” Means

The phrase “sponsor an au pair” is commonly used to describe bringing an au pair to the United States. Legally, however, the host family is not the J-1 visa sponsor. The Department of State designates organizations to run au pair exchange programs. Those organizations screen candidates, issue the immigration program document, monitor participants, and provide support during the placement.

The host family selects a designated sponsor and agrees to follow the au pair program rules. The sponsor then helps the selected participant apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa. A family generally cannot bring someone to the United States under the au pair program independently or replace the sponsor with a private contract.

These rules are set out in the federal regulations for the Exchange Visitor Program au pair category. The State Department also publishes information about au pair programs and designated sponsors.

How the Au Pair Program Works

An au pair is a young adult who provides child care while living with a U.S. host family and taking part in an educational and cultural exchange. The program is not simply a way to hire a live-in nanny: it has specific limits on work hours, education, participant eligibility, and sponsor oversight.

A standard placement lasts 12 months. Participants may be eligible to extend their program for an additional six, nine, or 12 months, subject to sponsor approval and applicable rules. An extension is not automatic, and the sponsor should explain application deadlines and any additional program charges.

• Child-care limit: No more than 10 hours in a day or 45 hours in a week.
• Education: The au pair must complete at least six semester hours of academic credit, or the equivalent, at an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution.
• Educational contribution: The host family must contribute up to $500 toward the required educational component, as specified by the regulation.
• Private bedroom: The family must provide a suitable private bedroom in the host home.
• Program oversight: The designated sponsor must monitor the exchange and provide support, including access to assistance in an emergency.

Program rules can change, and sponsors may have additional requirements. Families should confirm current details in writing before choosing a placement.

Who Can Participate as an Au Pair?

Federal rules set minimum eligibility standards for au pair participants. A prospective au pair generally must be between 18 and 26 years old, have completed secondary school or its equivalent, and be proficient in spoken English. The participant must also meet the sponsor’s screening requirements, which include an in-person interview in English, a physical examination, and checks of references and criminal history.

Applicants need relevant child-care experience and must be able to meet the program’s educational and cultural-exchange obligations. Additional qualifications apply to some placements. For example, an au pair caring for a child under two must have at least 200 hours of documented infant-care experience. Care for a child with special needs requires documented experience or training relevant to those needs.

A sponsor may apply stricter screening standards than the federal minimums. Families should ask how the agency verifies experience, evaluates English skills, checks references, and addresses any concerns that arise during screening.

Host-Family Requirements

Families should review the sponsor’s eligibility checklist before paying a fee or beginning a match. Federal rules require the sponsor to screen host families and make sure the home can support a safe, lawful exchange. A sponsor’s application typically asks about household members, children’s ages, work schedules, sleeping arrangements, and the family’s expectations for child care.

In general, the host household must include an adult U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who can take responsibility for the placement. Household adults are subject to screening, and sponsors must conduct interviews with prospective host parents. The family must have a private bedroom available for the au pair and be able to meet the program’s financial and educational obligations.

Host parents should provide a clear description of the child-care duties and schedule before matching. Tasks should be related to the agreed child-care role; an au pair should not be treated as a general housekeeper or assigned work beyond program limits. The family should also discuss driving, household rules, meals, privacy, time off, and communication preferences.

Step-by-Step: How to Sponsor an Au Pair

1. Compare State Department-Designated Sponsors

Start with the State Department’s list of designated au pair sponsors. Compare service areas, placement and screening practices, program fees, rematch policies, local support, and emergency procedures. Ask whether the organization provides a local representative and how often that representative contacts the family and au pair.

Ask for a complete fee schedule. Program costs may include an application fee, placement fee, participant expenses, insurance, transportation, and extension fees. Confirm which charges are refundable if an application is denied, a match falls through, or the placement ends early.

2. Apply and Complete Family Screening

Submit the sponsor’s host-family application and provide accurate information about the household and child-care needs. The sponsor may interview host parents, review references, and conduct background checks on adult household members. It will also assess whether the family can offer an appropriate bedroom and meet program obligations.

Use this stage to ask practical questions about support and safety. A useful sponsor should explain how it handles complaints, conflicts, an urgent medical issue, a rematch, or a participant who wants to leave the program. Families should keep copies of the application and written program agreements.

3. Review Candidate Profiles and Match Carefully

Review candidates’ experience, references, communication skills, interests, and expectations. Interview prospective au pairs directly, with the sponsor’s guidance. Discuss ordinary scenarios, such as a child refusing a nap, a schedule change, or an emergency, rather than relying only on general impressions.

Before confirming a match, put the schedule and responsibilities in writing. The family and au pair should understand the children’s routines, transportation expectations, household rules, days off, and how the family will support the required education. A strong match depends on shared expectations as well as child-care experience.

4. Complete the Exchange Visitor Paperwork

After a match, the designated sponsor issues Form DS-2019, the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, when program requirements are met. The participant uses the DS-2019 to apply for a J-1 visa. The visa application generally includes the online DS-160 form, a visa interview, and required fees. The participant may also need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee; the current amount and payment instructions should be checked directly with the official government resources and sponsor.

A visa is not guaranteed. The U.S. embassy or consulate decides whether to issue it, and a visa does not guarantee admission at the border. Upon arrival, Customs and Border Protection determines admission and records the participant’s status. Families should not arrange work to begin until the participant has entered the United States in the appropriate status and the sponsor confirms the placement can start.

5. Prepare for Arrival and Orientation

The sponsor is responsible for required program orientation, and host families should provide a practical welcome and household orientation as well. Review emergency contacts, home safety, child-care routines, driving rules, privacy, and how to raise concerns. Make sure the au pair knows how to reach the sponsor’s representative and what to do if an urgent problem occurs.

Discuss the first weeks’ schedule and allow time for the au pair to settle in. The family should avoid assuming that a participant’s arrival means all routines are immediately familiar. Clear instructions, regular check-ins, and respectful communication help prevent misunderstandings.

Host-Family Costs and Weekly Stipend

The total cost is more than the weekly stipend. Families commonly pay sponsor and placement fees, contribute to the required education costs, provide room and meals, and cover agreed transportation or other placement expenses. The au pair’s travel, insurance, and other costs can depend on the sponsor’s arrangement and the terms of the match.

Federal regulations require a weekly stipend and set a minimum tied to the federal minimum wage calculation. The commonly cited regulatory minimum is $195.75 per week, but families should not assume this figure is the only wage rule that matters. State and local wage laws, court decisions, and the details of the au pair’s duties may affect what must be paid. Sponsors should explain the current applicable requirement, and families can consult a qualified employment or tax professional about their circumstances.

Before matching, request an itemized estimate that separates agency fees from the stipend and household expenses. Also ask how costs are handled if the au pair changes families, takes an extension, or ends the placement early. Written terms make budgeting more predictable.

Work Hours, Duties, and Education Rules

Au pairs may provide no more than 10 hours of child care in a day and 45 hours in a week. These limits apply even when the family has an unusual work schedule or a temporary child-care need. Families should create a written schedule, track hours, and avoid informal arrangements that push the participant beyond the maximum.

The au pair’s duties should focus on child care and related responsibilities agreed upon with the family. Examples may include preparing children’s meals, helping with their routines, and tidying spaces used during child care. The family should not expect the au pair to take on unrelated household work or duties that conflict with the program’s purpose.

The educational requirement is a core part of the exchange, not an optional benefit. Host families must contribute up to $500 toward the required coursework, and the participant must complete the required academic credit or equivalent. Families should help the au pair identify suitable courses and plan transportation and scheduling without interfering with the required rest and program limits.

Insurance, Safety, and Ongoing Sponsor Support

J-1 exchange visitors must have insurance that meets federal program standards. Those standards include minimum coverage for medical benefits, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains, as well as a limit on the deductible. Families should ask the sponsor who arranges the coverage, when it begins, what it excludes, and how the au pair can access care. Insurance terms should be checked against the current federal requirements in 22 C.F.R. § 62.14.

The sponsor’s responsibilities continue after the au pair arrives. Families should know the local representative’s contact details, the sponsor’s emergency line, and the process for raising concerns. If a placement becomes difficult, contact the sponsor promptly rather than changing the schedule, duties, or living arrangement in a way that may violate program rules.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a non-designated agency: Confirm that the organization is currently designated by the U.S. Department of State to administer the au pair program.
• Assuming the family issues the visa: The sponsor issues the DS-2019; the participant applies for the J-1 visa through the U.S. consular process.
• Exceeding hour limits: Do not schedule more than 10 hours per day or 45 hours per week, even for occasional coverage.
• Skipping a written schedule: A clear schedule helps both sides track hours, time off, education, and household expectations.
• Ignoring local requirements: Check current wage, tax, insurance, and other applicable rules rather than relying on outdated online estimates.
• Waiting to report a problem: Contact the sponsor early about safety, conflict, or a potential rematch so it can explain the proper steps.

Where to Verify Current Rules

Federal requirements and fees can change. Before committing, families should verify sponsor designation and program information through the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program, review the au pair regulations in 22 C.F.R. Part 62, and confirm visa application instructions with the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate. A designated sponsor can explain its procedures, but families should review written agreements and seek professional advice for questions about taxes, employment law, or immigration issues.