Host Family Requirements

As a U.S. Department of State regulated program, Agent Au pair follows the requirements laid out by the State Department as part of the J-1 Visa Program. Further information on Department of State Requirements can be found here.

Below are the requirements host family applicants must meet:
  • Be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
  • Speak English fluently as the primary language in your home
  • Provide an appropriate private room and three meals a day for the au pair
  • Provide personal and employment character references
  • Require all family members living in the home to be personally interviewed by an Agent Au Pair Representative
  • Adhere to the Agent Au Pair’s Host Family Agreement
The Host Family Agreement specifies that host families will:
  • Guarantee your au pair will work a maximum of 45 hours a week, not exceeding 10 hours per day and will not extend over more than five and a half days. Give the au pair one complete weekend off each month (Friday evening to Monday morning)
  • Pay the au pair a weekly minimum stipend directly to your au pair based on your au pair program
  • Pay up to $500 for the au pair to complete their education requirement.
  • Facilitate the educational requirement for the au pair to enroll in and complete a minimum of 6 semester hours at an accredited post-secondary institution during the program year
  • Provide transportation for the au pair to get to classes and monthly meetings
  • Provide a minimum of two weeks paid vacation for each 12 month exchange term (prorated for extension periods of 6 months), in addition to regular weekly/monthly time off
  • Include the au pair whenever possible in family meals, outings, holidays and other events
  • Have one or both parents, or other responsible adult, remain home during the first three days after the au pair arrival to help orient the au pair to child care responsibilities, the home and local community
  • Never leave an au pair in sole charge of a child under three months of age

Become a Host Family

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