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All Cultural Care au pairs must undergo a multi-step screening process and training program before joining their host families. During our screening, au pairs undergo a personal interview, reference check, and criminal background check. They also submit a detailed profile including their childcare experience, family background, and certificate of health. Before traveling to the U.S., au pairs are required to complete a 32-hour online training and orientation program to review child safety and development. Part of this training includes an online CPR and First Aid course provided by the American Heart Association.
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What is an au pair?
Lives with an American family
Arrives with a legal visa for up to two years
Provides childcare for up to 45 hours/week
Comes from one of 30+ countries worldwide
Shares their language and culture
What’s the difference between an au pair and a nanny?
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Au pair stipend & costs explained
Program fee3
$11,245
Minimum au pair stipend4
$10,179
Potential additional costs
Varies
Estimated yearly total
$21,424
or approximately $1,785/month
How does hosting an au pair work?
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Step 1: Create a profile
Download our app and create a family profile that highlights your childcare needs, schedule, and preferences.
Step 2: Start interviewing
Connect with potential candidates. Ask questions about their experience and interests to ensure compatibility.
Step 3: Match and prepare for arrival
Finalize your match in the app and get ready for your au pair to arrive with the help of our Host Family Preparation team.
Step 4: Welcome your au pair
Extend a warm welcome to your new au pair! Enjoy flexible, personalized childcare and an enriching cultural exchange experience.
What’s an au pair anyway?
Host mom Pooja explains
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What kind of visas do au pairs have?
Before traveling to join their host families, au pairs secure a J-1 cultural exchange visa through the U.S. embassy in their home country, allowing them to legally remain in the U.S. for one year. Au pairs can extend their time as an au pair for 6, 9 or 12 months if they meet all requirements and are in good program standing at the end of their first year.
The cultural benefits of the au pair program
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Meet some of our pairs, from 30+ countries worldwide
DanielaColombia, 24
Studying to become a nurse
Volunteers for at-risk teen center
FranziskaGermany, 24
Volunteer at a daycare for toddlers
Licensed to drive since 2019
TashrikaSouth Africa, 21
1,300+ hrs childcare experience
Studying to be a teacher
OleGermany, 19
Worked at overnight camp and kindergarten
Loves cooking for and with others
CamilaBrazil, 24
Infant qualified
Studying civil engineering
DianaMexico, 26
Cares for younger siblings and cousins
Stays active with yoga and boxing
ArdenisGermany, 20
Advanced English level
Played club soccer for 4+ years
LusiweSouth Africa, 26
Infant qualified
Studies psychology and human resources
AnaBrazil, 24
Infant qualified
Worked 2 years as a nanny
AlinaAustria, 18
Attended English language school in London
Plays guitar and ukelele
EmaSlovenia, 22
Dance teacher for 3-6 year olds
Loves hiking, cycling and skiing
MilenaBrazil, 24
Infant qualified
5,000+ hrs childcare experience
NoaGermany, 18
1,000+ hours childcare experience
Solo traveler through Europe
SaraGermany, 18
2,000+ hours of childcare experience
Enjoys yoga, reading, and soccer
Hosting an au pair
In order to become a host family with Cultural Care, families must: 1. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; 2. Pass a criminal background check; 3. Provide a private bedroom for their au pair.
In addition, families must be willing to embrace the spirit of the au pair program—meaning they are ready and excited to participate in a cultural exchange and invest time into building a relationship with their au pair.
The time it takes to get an au pair varies from family to family. Most au pairs looking for a host family are still living in their home countries and will need at least six to eight weeks to get their visa, complete Cultural Care’s training program, and prepare to leave. But there are a smaller number of au pairs already in the U.S. who are looking for a new host family, and they can arrive to your home much faster. To make things easy, you can use the filters on the app and website to find au pairs who have the same arrival timeframe in mind.
All au pairs commit to staying with their host families in the U.S. for at least one year, and they arrive with a legal J-1 visa allowing them to do so. Towards the end of their first year, au pairs can choose to extend their time with their current family or with a new one for an additional 12, 9 or 6 months. Au pairs must complete their Education Requirement and be in good standing with the program in order to extend.
¹Monthly minimum average cost to host an au pair, regardless of the number of children the au pair cares for. This cost includes the agency fees and the minimum weekly stipend paid directly to the au pair for 52 weeks, including 2 weeks of paid vacation. Does not include incidental costs of hosting an au pair, such as meals, insurance, contribution towards classes and other potential expenses. Read more about our au pair program pricing.
²Based on an average hourly rate of $18 per hour for 45 hours per week of care for 50 weeks.
3Au pairs pay a smaller program fee to the foreign company that screens them, but no portion of that fee is used to pay for the costs of their international airfare or domestic U.S. transportation. Au pairs may be charged additional fees in the event of special travel requests.
4The U.S. Department of State has determined that au pairs are required to receive from their host families at least $195.75 per week. Host families and au pairs are free to discuss and agree to compensation higher than the required stipend minimum; however, this cannot be in exchange for the au pair exceeding the regulatory limits on working hours (10 hours per day; 45 hours per week) or performing duties beyond childcare-related tasks. The State Department formula is based on the federal minimum wage and applicable room and board credits. Any change in the federal minimum wage or the applicable credits will result in an increase in this minimum stipend amount. Please note, should a family extend beyond the first year, they would be responsible for the stipend for each week of the extension term.
5This contribution towards an au pair’s education requirement is determined by the U.S. Department of State, and families agree to comply with any increase that is issued.