Au Pair Visas and Au Pair Visa Regulations

 

To work legally in the U.S., au pairs must have a valid J-1 visa and a corresponding DS-2019 form. The J-1 visa allows them to enter the U.S. and the DS-2019 form allows them to work as an au pair for the dates listed.  InterExchange issues the DS-2019 form to the au pair, who then presents it to the American Consulate or Embassy during their interview for the J-1 Visa.  The au pair will need both the DS-2019 form and J-1 visa to enter the U.S. The J-1 Visa can only be issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.

Once in the U.S., the au pair may work according to the dates on the DS-2019 form.  Au pairs and host families also have the option to extend the au pair's program dates, subject to U.S. Department of State approval, for an additional 6, 9 or 12 months after the original program year ends. Because the dates on the au pair’s J-1 visa may have expired, they may not be able to leave and then return to the U.S. without obtaining a new J-1 visa.

A summer au pair visa program also exists that allows au pairs to obtain an au pair visa for a Summer Au Pair program only.  Read more about the Au Pair J-1 Visa regulations set be the U.S. Department of State.