United StatesStudy and training

US J-1 au pair visa: rules for au pairs and host families

J-1 exchange visitor – au pair

In short

Au pairs live with a US host family for 12 months, provide child care and take academic courses, through a State Department-designated au pair sponsor. Applicants must be 18 to 26, may work at most 10 hours a day and 45 hours a week, and are paid a weekly amount based on federal minimum wage rules.

checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
12 months, extendable by 6, 9 or 12 months with State Department approval
Fee
US$185Visa fee (none for US government-sponsored exchanges) plus I-901 SEVIS fee of $220 for most J categories ($35 for au pair and some subsidised categories)
Processing time
Decided after the interview unless administrative processing is required
Work
Child care for the host family only: max 10 hours a day and 45 hours a week (EduCare: 30 a week)
Family
No dependants
Path to permanent residence
Not directly; some J-1s are subject to the 2-year home residence requirement under INA 212(e)
Where to apply
A U.S. embassy or consulate, normally in your country of nationality or residence, after receiving the DS-2019

Who can be an au pair

You must be 18 to 26, have completed secondary school or its equivalent, speak English well enough to care for children, and pass the sponsor’s screening, which includes interviews and a background check. Placement in a host family and a signed child care agreement must be in place before you leave home. EduCare is a variant for families with school-age children and fewer hours.

Costs

The visa fee is $185 and the SEVIS fee for au pairs is the reduced $35 rate. Sponsor programme fees are set by each sponsor.

Extensions

After 12 months the sponsor can ask the State Department, at least 30 days before the end date, for an extension of 6, 9 or 12 months; the educational requirement applies again during the extension.

Hours, pay and study

Au pairs may not provide more than 10 hours of child care a day or 45 hours a week, and are paid weekly at a rate based on 45 hours under the Fair Labor Standards Act. They must take academic coursework at an accredited US post-secondary institution, with the host family contributing up to $500 towards it (EduCare: 12 semester hours and up to $1,000). Sponsors must provide training and support during the year.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Valid passport, one 5 × 5 cm photo and the DS-160 confirmation page

Money

  • I-901 SEVIS fee receipt ($35)

Study

  • Form DS-2019 from the au pair sponsor

Family

  • Host family placement details and signed child care agreement

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Study

  • Secondary school diploma and evidence of child care experience

How to apply, step by step

  1. Apply to a State Department-designated au pair sponsor and complete its screening and matching.
  2. Receive Form DS-2019 from the sponsor and pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online.
  3. Complete the DS-160 and set your social media accounts to public, as instructed for J applicants.
  4. Pay the $185 visa fee (waived for US government-sponsored programmes) and book the interview through the official appointment service of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply.
  5. Attend the interview with the DS-2019, SEVIS receipt and funding evidence.
  6. Enter no more than 30 days before the programme start date and check in with your sponsor.

Forms

Frequently asked questions

What is the age limit for a US au pair?

18 to 26 at the time of application.

How many hours do au pairs work?

At most 10 hours a day and 45 hours a week (30 a week for EduCare).

Can I change host families?

Rematches are handled by the sponsor under its procedures; you cannot simply move to another family on your own.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for the United States

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors
  • Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: Set by CBP; an extension can be requested with Form I-539 if treatment continues
  • Transit visa Maximum stay: Immediate and continuous transit only; never more than 29 days

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors
  • Investor visa Maximum stay: Admission normally for up to 2 years at a time, renewable while the business qualifies

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: From 15 September 2026: the programme end date, up to 4 years, plus a 30-day departure period; longer study needs an extension from USCIS
  • Researcher visa Maximum stay: Length of the programme, up to 5 years
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Interns up to 12 months; trainees up to 18 months (12 months in agriculture and hospitality and tourism)

Work

  • Skilled worker visa Maximum stay: Up to 3 years, extendable to 6 years in total
  • Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: Initial stay up to 3 years (1 year for a new office); total 7 years for L-1A and 5 for L-1B
  • Work visa Maximum stay: Up to 3 years initially; extensions in 1-year increments
  • Seasonal work visa Maximum stay: Period of the certified need, usually up to 1 year, extendable to a 3-year maximum

Family

  • Spouse and partner visa Validity: K-1: 90 days to marry; CR-1: 2-year conditional green card; IR-1: 10-year green card
  • Family reunification visa Processing time: Immediate relatives: no queue after petition approval; preference categories: years, depending on the Visa Bulletin

Residence

Online travel permits

Faster processing

Protection

United States visa guide