Did you know the US has a nanny visa available?
The Au Pair Program is a nanny visa for those overseas. And I recently learned about this visa through two guests on my podcast, The American Dream In The Eyes of Immigrants.
My first guest came from Brazil through the Au Pair Program, and she was a nanny for about two years and eventually stayed in the US. The second guest I interviewed from the Au Pair Program came from the Czech Republic. She wanted to learn English and thought this was the best opportunity. Her initial plan was to be a nanny for a year, learn English, and return home. But she ended up enrolling in school here and stayed.
The four most common ways that immigrants come to the US are:
- Blood (Family)
- Sweat (Work)
- Tears (Asylum or Refugee)
- Luck (Lottery)
When I started my podcast, I knew that; however, as I’ve spoken with so many immigrants and immigration attorneys, I’ve learned of other visas available for people to come. And the Au Pair is one of them.
What Is the Au Pair Program?
The definition of the Au Pair Program is an intercultural experience or exchange between a young foreigner and an American host family. Au Pair means on pair in French, which shows the type of relationship goal this program is designed for between the au pair and the host family.
Both parties benefit mutually from this program providing the au pair with cultural and educational experiences and addressing the childcare needs of the host family.
What Are the Requirements for Au Pair?
- J-1 Visa
- English Proficiency
- Between 18 and 26 years of age
- Interview in English by Agency
- Pass background investigation
- Secondary school graduate
What Are the Benefits?
If you receive acceptance, you’ll live with a host family for 12 months, and this can expand to 12 more months. Receive training for a minimum of 32 hours for childcare. You must provide up to 10 hours a day or 45 hours per week of childcare, and you’ll be able to receive school credit. So you can complete up to six hours of academic credit. Room and board is included, $500 towards school costs, and compensation for childcare work.
Where to Get More Information?
You can listen to two of my guests’ personal experiences of being an au pair for an American host family on my podcast.
- From Brazil to the United States with the Au Pair Program with Rosana (English)
- What Was Supposed to be 1 Year to Learn English Became 20+ Years – Episode 44
Au Pair Agencies:
Here are the sources for this article:
https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/au-pair
Did you know this visa option was available?
With Love, Heidy
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