J-1 Visa Cost and Process for US Families
US Families choosing to hire international aupairs are required to go through an Au Pair Agency designated by the US Department of State to obtain a legal J-1 visa for their Au Pair. GreatAuPair is designated by the US Department of State as an official Au Pair Program Sponsor. As such, GreatAuPair is able to help families legally host their ideal au pair through the issuance of a Form DS-2019 that enables the au pair to obtain a yearlong J-1 au pair visa. GreatAuPair supports the au pair and the family from start to finish with a professional staff of host family services, au pair services and a dedicated Local Childcare Coordinator who lives close to your home to provide local support throughout the duration of your au pair's stay.
See how our Full-Service AuPair Agency Program works. Be sure you understand all the costs associated with hiring an au pair or a nanny whether you go through an agency or whether you hire childcare directly. See Au Pair & Nanny Salary.
To begin hiring your au pair through an authorized agency, the process is as follows:
- Sign up for the J-1 au pair program. If you are eligible, you will see the option during registration and on your My Account page.
- We verify that you and your chosen au pair are eligible for the J-1 Au Pair Program. Not all agencies service all states and countries. Check US Service Areas here. Au Pairs must meet these requirements to paricipate in the J-1 Au Pair Program.
- Once eligibility is determined, GreatAuPair assigns a program advisor to you to assist you through the application and matching process. We help you match with your ideal au pair and we ensure that each au pair is fullly screened, experienced, healthy and ready to join your family as an au pair.
- You will also be assigned a Local Childcare Coordinator who will meet with you and your family in your home for an interview to understand your needs and to explain the details of the Au Pair Program.
- You will be presented with several au pair candidates based on your requirements. Host families and au pairs are required to have at least two video interviews prior to making a decision to match.
- Our au pairs complete GreatAuPair's 32-Hour Au Pair Training Academy in their home country for better retention and to eliminate the cost of in-country airfare charged by most other agencies.
- In most cases, your au pair can arrive in just 3 weeks from the time you agree to a match.
- Your au pair will fly directly to your home city where you will pick her up from the airport.
Families are required to support the au pair to obtain 6 credit hours of education at an accredited educational institution by paying a $500 Educational Allowance while the au pair is in the US. See all host family requirements here.
Learn more and see if the GreatAuPair USA J-1 Au Pair Program is right for you.