American Au-Pair Work VISA – Application Process

Are you ready for a journey that lets you try new things and do work that matters? You can get a J-1 AU Pair visa if you are between the ages of 18 and 26 and want to experience life in the United States in a unique way. This visa lets you live with an American host family, help with housework, and watch kids. It’s designed especially for young people from around the world. Many people might think of it as just a job, but it’s actually a great way to make memories that will last a lifetime, improve your English, and make money at the same time.

What’s this visa all about? 

The J-1 AU Pair visa lets young people live with an American family and work as an au pair, which usually means taking care of kids and doing light housework. As part of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, this one is different because the caregiver job and living with a family in the US make it stand out.

You might be thinking, “What kinds of jobs can I get with this visa?” and “How much can I make a year?” Most au pairs make between $10,000 and $15,000 a year, but the real pay is free room and board and the chance to live in the US without having to worry about paying for things like food and rent.

People also often ask, “Can you bring your family with you?” It’s not as simple as that answer. While the J-1 visa is mostly for individuals on exchange, family members like spouses and children can apply for J-2 dependent visas. One thing that is true is that most au pairs travel alone.

Here, we’ll talk about the specific jobs that qualify for the J-1 AU Pair visa, the requirements for getting this visa, the best places to look for these jobs, and the application process for you and any family members you want to bring with you.

5 Types of Jobs for Which the US J-1 AU Pair Visa Can Be Applied For

Childcare:

• Daily Care: Helping to take care of the kids by making meals, watching their activities, and giving them mental support.
• School and Activities: Kids need help with their homework and school projects, as well as getting them to and from school, extracurricular events, and play dates.

Light Housework:

• Cleaning Up: Taking care of small housekeeping chores that have to do with the kids, like cleaning up after meals, organizing play areas, and doing the kids’ laundry.
• Not Full-Time: You are not expected to do a lot of cleaning or work as a full-time housekeeper. Focus is on jobs that have to do with taking care of and making sure the kids are healthy.

Educational Assistance:

• Homework Help: Helping kids with their schoolwork and homework is what homework help is all about.
• Learning Activities: Playing educational games with kids, reading to them, and doing other things to help them learn.

Driving Children:

• Transportation: Taking kids to and from school, programs outside of school, and social events. For this to work, you usually need a valid driver’s license and to be able to meet your host family’s driving standards.

Cultural Exchange:

• Cultural Sharing: Sharing your own culture, language, and customs with the host family will help them learn more about and appreciate other cultures.
• Learning Experience: Getting to know American society and way of life while helping the host family with their daily tasks.

Eligibility Criteria for the AU Pair J-1 US Visa

The J-1 AU Pair visa is not open to everyone. Here are the general requirements to be eligible:

Age:

• The people who want to apply must be between the ages of 18 and 26.

Experience:

• You must have worked as a child care worker before. This could mean babysitting, tutoring, or some other kind of caring. Some companies may want to see proof of experience, like references or background checks [link].

Language Skills:

• Being able to speak and understand English well is necessary to communicate with the host family and follow work-related directions.

Education:

• Applicants must have finished high school. Usually, you need a high school education or the equivalent.

Health:

• It is important to be physically healthy. As part of the visa application process, this is generally checked by a medical exam.

Driver’s License:

• Most au pairs need to have a legal driver’s license and experience driving because one of their main jobs is to take the kids to and from school.

Good Character:

• To be eligible, you must not have a criminal record and be in good moral standing. Usually, background checks are done.

Commitment:

• Au pairs have to be ready to stay for a year, but some programs let them stay for up to two years.

Where to Find J-1 Visa Jobs in the US? (Top Platforms)

AuPairWorld:

• AuPairWorld is one of the most well-known websites in the world that links people who want to be au pairs with families all over the world, including those in the United States. It has an easy-to-use interface and full details of both au pairs and host families.

Cultural Care Au Pair:

• specializes in putting au pairs in touch with American families. Cultural Care Au Pair offers a wide range of services to help you, such as helping you get a visa, getting you started, and continuing to help you during your stay.

AuPair.com:

• A reliable way for host families and au pairs to meet. AuPair.com has information and tools for getting visas and makes it easier for families and people to talk to each other.

InterExchange:

• A real company that helps American families find au pairs by sponsoring their J-1 visas. InterExchange offers a lot of help with both the application and employment processes.

GoAuPair:

• Mostly works with people in the U.S. and offers a simple website for both host families and au pairs. GoAuPair helps people apply for visas and makes sure the matching process goes smoothly.

Application Process of the J-1 AU Pair Visa (Including Family Visas)

1. Find a Sponsor:
   • Find a Licensed Sponsor: First, you need to find a qualified J-1 visa sponsor. Cultural Care Au Pair, InterExchange, and GoAuPair are all certified groups. These backers will take care of the visa application process for you.
2. Match with a Host Family:
   • Family Matching: You’ll be matched with a host family in the U.S. once you’ve chosen a sponsor. You will get a DS-2019 form from your sponsor once a family offers to host you. This is the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.
3. Complete the Visa Application (DS-160):
   • Fill Out DS-160: Use the DS-2019 form to fill out the DS-160 form online. This is the normal form for applying for a non-immigrant visa. You can find it at DS-160.
4. Schedule a Visa Interview:
   • Book an Appointment: Set up a meeting at the U.S. embassy or port closest to you. You will have to explain your job as an au pair, your plans while you are in the U.S., and some information about yourself.
5. Attend the Interview:
   • Prepare Documents: Bring the following documents to your visa interview:
     • DS-2019 form
     • DS-160 confirmation page
     • Valid passport
     • Visa application fee receipt
     • Any additional documents requested by the embassy
6. Receive Your J-1 Visa:
   • Visa Issuance: Your J-1 visa will be sent to you after that. After that, you can plan your trip to start your au pair job in the U.S.

Read Also: American Work and Family VISA Lottery Process – H-1B With H-4 VISA

Application Process for Family Members (J-2 Visa)

1. J-2 Visa Application:
   • Apply for J-2 Visas: If you wish to bring family members (spouse or children), they need to apply for J-2 visas. Each family member must:
     • Complete their own DS-160 form
     • Pay the visa application fee
     • Schedule and attend a visa interview (if required)
2. Documents for J-2 Visa:
   • Required Documents: Family members will need:
     • A DS-2019 form issued by your sponsor (showing their relationship to you)
     • DS-160 confirmation page
     • Valid passport
     • Visa application fee receipt
     • Any additional documentation requested by the embassy
3. Attend the Interview:
   • Family Interviews: Show up to the interview with the necessary paperwork. The visa officer will look over their application and papers to decide if they should give them a visa.
4. Receive J-2 Visas:
   • Visa Issuance: Your family will get their J-2 visas and be able to come to the U.S. with you once they are accepted.

Conclusion

The J-1 AU Pair visa is a great way for young adults to learn about American culture while also helping out with light chores and caring for children. It helps you grow professionally and personally because it gives you free housing and the chance to live with a host family. Finding a sponsor, matching with a family, and filling out visa forms are all parts of the process. However, the benefits of cultural exchange and the enriching experience of living in the U.S. make it all worth it. The J-1 AU Pair visa can help you start an unforgettable journey, whether you want to learn English, experience American culture, or make memories that will last a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions