In general everybody between the age of 18 and 26 can become an au pair in the USA, given that the USA has diplomatic relations with the home country. Although the IRS considers an au pair to be a household "employee," the Bureau of Educational and Culture Affairs of the US Department of State categorizes the au pair program more as a cultural and scholarly exchange program. According to this, each au pair has to be able to take a certain amount of college classes, next to providing a limited amount of childcare and household help.
Work hours for an au pair are restricted to 10 hours per day and 45 hours per week. She has to be paid minimum wage, which is 7.25 $ per hour. When this payment is due depends on the agreement between the au pair and the family. At least she should receive a weekly stipend of $195.75.
Application process through au pair agencies
Each au pair has to apply through a designated sponsor or agency (listed on the Website of the US Department), who helps with the visa, provides training in child development and child safety. If she is supposed to help looking after an infant (three months to two years) she is required to provide 200 hours of documented childcare experience beforehand.
Usually the sponsor/agency charges the host-family a non-refundable application fee of $300, the program fee for the year is $4,550, which covers the cost for the J-1 exchange visitor visa, most of the plane ticket, the medical insurance and the training and orientation meetings for the au pair. Right after the host family is matched with an au pair there is a required refundable deposit of $2,500 to pay. Families are also required to pay an amount of $500 towards the college classes the au pair decides to take.
Childcare cost and some of the fee is tax deductible
The au pair also has to pay a fee to the agency plus sometimes a deposit, which will be returned at the end of the year. If she leaves early, she is responsible for the cost of her flight back and also won’t get her deposit back.
Although the au pair might not make enough money to file taxes, the fees paid to the agency and the weekly stipend given to her can qualify as tax-deductible childcare expenses.
How to get the most out of the au pair exchange
An au pair can be a wonderful enrichment for the whole family, and a pretty good deal compared to the cost of professional childcare. To get the most out of the exchange, it is important for both sides to state beforehand what they expect from it. While most agencies will match families with au pairs, it might be a good idea for the family to search themselves. This way the whole family, including the children, can be involved in finding the perfect au pair and help for mom. Plus: The family saves the $300 application fee.
Josefine Köhn-Haskins - Josefine Köhn-Haskins is an award winning journalist, author and correspondent.
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