The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) defines an au pair as anyone going to live with a family residing in the United States to provide services such as baby-sitting, housekeeping, cooking or language instruction in exchange for room and board or salary.
Anyone seeking to stay in the United States as an au pair, a nanny, or mother’s helper must have a J-1 exchange visitor visa through the sponsorship of an officially approved exchange visitor program administered by the U.S. Information Agency (USIA). A J-1 visa is required even if you are staying with friends or family.
One exception to this general rule applies to nannies who are accompanying a U.S. citizen or a non-immigrant visa holder to the United States for a temporary visit. In that case a B-1 Business/Tourist visa is appropriate.
If you want more information about au pair programs in the United States, please contact the following organization:
Commission for Educational Exchange Between the U.S. and Belgium and Luxembourg
Keizerslaan 4 / Boulevard de l’Empereur, 4
1000 Brussels
(tel. 02/519-5772)
Following is a list of approved sponsoring organizations for au pairs and nannies. The list is not exhaustive and does not constitute any recommendation.
ASSE EurAu Pair P.O. Box 85468 2508 CD Den Haag Tel: +31-(0)70/360-9099 | Au Pair Homestay USA - Regastraat 47 3000 Leuven Tel: +32-(0)16/29-0614 |
World Exchange Program (WEP) Avenue de Jette 26 Jetselaan | Au Pair in America/Languages & Travel Faiderstraat 90 / 1050 Brussels Tel: +32-(0)2/646-9770 |
Home From Home Spillemansstraat 10-15 2140 Antwerpen Tel: +32-(0)3/235-9720 | AYUSA Au Pair Program Klosterstraede 8 1157 Copenhagen |
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Exchange Visitor Program: Through the Au Pair program foreign nationals between 18 and 26 years of age participate directly in the home life of a host family by providing limited childcare services for up to 12 months. Childcare is limited to no more than 10 hours per day, and to a maximum of 45 hours per week. more
