U.S. Au Pair Exchange Programs

Do I qualify to host an au pair?

Our qualification requirements are linked here.

Why should I choose Expert AuPair?

In short, we're affordable and efficient, and we have some great au pairs. If you'd like some more details about our program and the little touches that make it special, please click here.

What is included in my package?

A list of everything that's included is available if you click here.

What will I pay for childcare?

Please visit our page that details host family fees.

What if I already have a candidate?

We can help you! We call such cases "prematches", and they are fine if you and your au pair qualify. Please see our prematch page for more details, and take advantage of our prematch discount!

Can I apply today?

We'd love to hear from you! Please register as a family in the top right corner of this page, and start to apply!

When will my au pair arrive?

We have arrival dates which are normally every other week. Au pairs almost always arrive on Mondays and transfer on Fridays to host families. Typically, your au pair will arrive at your local airport, early on Friday evening.

Where will I meet my au pair?

Unless you are in our local area, you will normally meet your au pair at a nearby airport.

My au pair is my employee -- does that bring with it any responsibilities? How do I make sure she stays a whole year?

You should remember that your au pair is an employee and has the right to expect her/his pay on time and in full, and to be treated appropriately. Your au pair's immigration status restricts her to 10 hours per day, 45 hours per week, working for you (and only for you).

The best ways to make sure your au pair stays the whole year is to communicate clearly with her/him, to live up to your promises made before employment started, and above all, treat her/him like a member of the family.

Is there any employment paperwork?

Yes. A the federal level, you should get an EIN (if you don't have one already), you should complete an I-9 with your au pair, and you should report salaries at the end of each year on form W-2. In general, no withholding of tax is required. The IRS has a helpful link at www.irs.gov/business/small/international/article/0,,id=96420,00.html

There may be city and state requirements, in addition.

How do I pay my au pair's salary?

We strongly recommend that you pay this by check in case there is any confusion about the amount paid.

How does my au pair get a Social Security Number?

Your au pair can go to the Social Security Administration, at least 10 days after her arrival in the United States, to apply for his/her number, and offices can be found online at www.ssa.gov

Your au pair will need to take two items that are in her training binder from Expert AuPair (her form SS-5 and her letter from Expert AuPair), in addition to her passport, visa, I-94 and DS-2019.

How does my au pair get a driver license?

This varies by state. If you have any trouble with this, please let us know. Please understand that most states collect Social Security Numbers as part of the process, and so it can take two weeks for an au pair to be licensed after they have arrived with your family. That said, au pairs with foreign licenses are authorized temporarily to drive on their foreign license. Please contact your state's DMV and your car insurance company for their individual policies.

Why should I choose Expert Au Pair?

The most common reasons au pairs choose us are that our program is not expensive, we have a great training week in the Florida sunshine, and we really care about our au pairs. You even get to travel with two bags! A longer list of reasons is available if you click here.

What's included?

A full list of what we include is available if you click here.

Do I qualify to be an au pair?

We've published a full list of qualifications. It's easier to be matched with a US family if you can drive, and the more childcare experience you have, the better.

What will it cost me to be an au pair?

We charge $400 for each au pair, and you have to pay the Embassy fee of $160 also. There are airfare supplements if you're coming from a long way away. The fees are detailed here.

What is the application process?

All the steps are easy, but there are a few things to do. A full list of what you need to do can be found by clicking here.

What if I already found a family?

This makes you a "prematch", and you and the family should apply in the normal way, and let us know that you're matched with that family.

How can I apply today?

We have a webpage with all the forms you need.

How do I get my plane ticket?

Most tickets now are electronic, so you go to the airport with your confirmation. We send detailed arrival information about how to meet us when you land.

What happens in St. Petersburg?

We provide transfer to your hotel. We pay for the hotel and you stay for four nights. We do not provide food, so it's best to bring $80 for the week.

What happens if I am not getting along with my family?

The best thing is not to get into this situation in the first place! The most important thing you can do is to communicate clearly with the family, for example by having regular meetings to talk about how the kids are doing.

Sometimes, things don't work even though communication is good. Please call your local representative. She/he will normally hold a mediation. If you still are unhappy, you can give your family notice that you are leaving. You would get two weeks room and board and then we may choose to rematch you a further two weeks, giving you four weeks in total to find a new family.

If we are satisfied that you were doing your job with the first family, and would be good with a different family, it is possible to change hosts. We do expect you to try to find a new host and to be flexible. You should expect to have to move to a different state if you rematch.

Can I extend my stay after the first year if I want to?

Yes, you can. You need to have finished your education, and your family will need to pay a new (reduced) fee for the second year.

How do I get a Social Security Number?

Visit your local Social Security Administration office (see www.ssa.gov to find it), at least ten days after you entered the US. Take two items that are in your training binder from Expert Aupair (form SS-5 and a letter from Expert Aupair), in addition to your passport, visa, I-94 and DS-2019.