Hosting an Au Pair in the United States
Do you live in America and would like to host an au pair? You’ve come to the right place.
Find out more about becoming an au pair host family in the USA.
Do you live in America and would like to host an au pair? You’ve come to the right place.
Find out more about becoming an au pair host family in the USA.
Are you a family living in the United States who would like to host an au pair? Butrfly explains the requirements for becoming an au pair host family in the United States.
The au pair program is a cultural exchange program in which young foreigners learn English in exchange for childcare services.
It enables young people to learn a language through courses and to visit the country through activities. The au pair is housed, fed, whitened and remunerated in return for hours of childcare.
The United States regulates the hosting of au pairs by American families. By agreeing to host an au pair, the family chooses to integrate the au pair as a member of the family 👨👩👧👦.
Find out more about the requirements to host an au pair in the United States👇.
You must be able to cover all expenses related to hosting an au pair.
The minimum wage is US$197.75 per week. You may also have to contribute to your au pair’s language course fees.
As for your au pair’s enrolment in a higher education institution, you can contribute up to 500 US dollars towards tuition fees.
Finally, in the United States, the host family is responsible for the cost of round-trip airfare.
To host an Au Pair in the United States, you must go through an agency recognized by the American government. This agency will be responsible for all formalities, administrative procedures and the contract to be signed by the au pair and the host family.
To enter the U.S., au pairs need a J1 visa, which allows them to stay legally in the country. This visa is issued for a minimum of 12 months, and can be extended for 6, 9 or 12 months.
If one of your children is under 3 years old when your au pair arrives, one of the parents must be at home.
The room provided for the au pair must measure at least 9m². It must also be furnished and have a window that lets in daylight and a door with a lock to allow the au pair some privacy.
You also give the au pair access to a bathroom 🚿.
⚠️ No family member is allowed to share the au pair’s room. The au pair must be informed that his/her place of residence will be different from that of the family.
In the contract, it is necessary to define the conditions of stay as well as the framework of your au pair’s missions: obligations of the parties, working hours, remuneration…
Au pairs are not allowed to work more than 45 hours a week. He/she is entitled to one and a half full days of rest per week. At the end of their one-year stay, au pairs are entitled to 2 weeks’ paid vacation. It’s up to you to arrange this with your au pair when you draw up your contract.
⚠️ An au pair takes part in light housework (emptying the garbage can, filling the dishwasher), but cannot be considered as a household employee.
The au pair’s duties must be precisely set out in the contract.
In the event of illness, the au pair is entitled to room and board.
🦋 Tips: We recommend that you discuss the future timetable with your au pair beforehand, so that it can be included in the contract.
On your dashboard, you have access to all the tasks your future au pair will be able to carry out as part of his or her contract with you. Check only those you wish to entrust to the au pair. In general, an au pair can :
Read the testimonials of our host families and Au Pairs.
Listen to the testimonials of the guests on the podcast La Grande Famille, hosted by Manuela Dizier-Chanfreau.
You’ll find feedback and valuable advice on hosting an au pair from entrepreneurial moms.
Accompanying AZ with Au Pair Butrfly
We select for you experienced au pair profiles and committed host families.
The profiles proposed to you are a good match, and we take care of all the administrative formalities (contract, visa, etc.) if you wish.
We’re here to help you prepare your project, before and during your au pair experience, to answer your questions and provide support.
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