Your Au pair Visa

If you want to go to a non-EU country as an au pair, you will need a visa. For Australia and New Zealand, you need to apply for a working holiday visa which is valid for 12 months and allows you to both work and travel during this time.

To apply for the J-1 au pair visa for the United States, you will need the DS-2019 form, which can only be issued by an exchange organization as an official J1 visa sponsor. Our agency, AuPairCare in America, has been a recognized J1 sponsor of the U.S. Department of State for almost 30 years and is authorized to issue the required form.

Are you suitable as an Au pair?

You want to go abroad as an au pair, but you are not sure if you are suitable? Find out about the requirements you should meet.

Requirements

How to apply for your Australian Visa

Applying for a working holiday visa for Australia is fast and easy. We will send you all the information you need for your application. Once you've gathered the necessary documents, you can apply for your visa online through the website of the Department of Home Affairs. Simply register and pay the visa fee ($ 485 AUS). You will receive the working holiday visa by mail within a few weeks.

How to apply for your New Zealand Visa

Applying for a working holiday visa for New Zealand is as fast and easy as for Australia. We will send you all the information you need for your application. Once you've gathered the necessary documents, you can apply for your visa online through the New Zealand immigration website. Simply find the right working holiday visa for your country, register and pay the visa fee ($ 208 NZD). You will receive the working holiday visa by mail after a few weeks.

How to apply for your US visa

Once you have successfully matched with a host family, it is time to apply for the J1 visa. In order to get started, we will send you all the necessary documents and information. You can apply for the visa online and schedule your personal appointment at the US Embassy in your home country.

To apply for the J1 visa, you must first fill out the DS 160 form on the U.S. Embassy's website. You do not have to pay the SEVIS fees as they have already been paid for by us. We will send you a payment confirmation.

You will then have to pay the visa fees which currently amount to approx. US $185. Afterwards, you can schedule a personal interview at the US Embassy.

Please note:

You will only be able to attend your interview once you have received the DS-2019 form. We will send you the document as soon as you have paid the programme fees.

Your appointment at the US Embassy

Make sure to be on time for your appointment. Since you are not allowed to bring bags or backpacks into the building, you should either leave them at home or leave them with someone accompanying you. You must bring the following documents with you to the appointment:

  • a suitable passport photo (please note the requirements)

  • your passport

  • the DS-2019 form (you will receive it from us)

  • the confirmation of the completed form DS 160 ("non immigrant visa application")

  • the SEVIS receipt (proof of the paid SEVIS fee)

After the interview, your passport, visa and DS-2019 form will be sent to your home. Make sure to keep the DS-2019 in a safe place as your visa is only valid in conjunction with this form!

Discover our programme destinations

Au pair USA
au pair with flag usa
Experience American life up close: Spend 12 months or more living with a host family in the USA. As an au pair, you’ll care for the children and become part of the family, gaining a deep, authentic insight into everyday American culture.
Read more
Duration
1
Year
Age
from 18
Years
Price
1.090
Euro
Au Pair England
Au pair England
England is the perfect place for any au pair who wants to experience British culture up close. You will most likely live near London and spend 6-12 months in an English host family.
Read more
Duration
6
Months
Age
from 18
Years
Au Pair New Zealand
New zealand program offer
Discover life in New Zealand: Spend 6 to 12 months with a welcoming host family and experience everyday life in cities like Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch.
Read more
Duration
6
Months
Age
from 18
Years
Price
990
Euro
Au pair Australia
Au pair Australia Sydney
Live like a local in Australia: Spend 6 to 12 months with a carefully selected host family and experience everyday life in vibrant cities like Sydney or Melbourne.
Read more
Duration
6
Months
Age
from 18
Years
Price
990
Euro

Frequently Asked Visa questions

  • The interview usually only takes a few minutes, but you might have to wait longer for your appointment. Before the interview, your documents will be checked and your fingerprints taken. You’ll then be asked a few simple questions. Don’t worry - the questions are easy to answer.

  • Yes. If the only available appointments are after your program start date, you can request an emergency appointment. First, schedule a regular appointment on the embassy’s website, even if you can’t make that date. Then the option to request an emergency appointment will appear.

    Make sure you have all your application documents ready (like your DS-2019), as an emergency appointment could be available as soon as the next day. Keep in mind that US authorities won’t consider your booked flights or personal travel plans when scheduling.

  • Yes. You can apply for a second or even a third Working Holiday Visa. To get it you need to show that you have done “specified work” for the required amount of time. This means at least three months for the second visa and six months for the third. The work has to be in certain fields or industries in approved regional areas of Australia. Typical jobs include farm work you do after your time as an au pair. You can find more details about “specified work” on the Department of Home Affairs website.

  • The waiting time for an appointment can vary and may change weekly depending on the number of applications. You can check the current waiting times for your city on the U.S. Department of State website.

Read more