Au pairs must receive a weekly stipend from the host family that is no less than the amount listed above. The U.S. Department of State accounts for costs associated with weekly room and board and other Fair Labor Standards Act considerations when establishing the above minimum weekly stipend amounts for the Au Pair and EduCare programs. In addition, Department of State regulations specify that an au pair may not provide more than forty-five (45) hours of child care assistance per week in the Au Pair or Extraordinare Programs, or more than thirty (30) hours of child care assistance per week in the EduCare Program.
Host families in MA and CA should consult their host family portal for information pertaining to au pair wages in their states.
Host families and au pairs are free to agree to compensation higher than the legally applicable minimum. A host family may not pay less than the weekly minimum stipend. Beyond private room and full board expenses, host families should remain mindful that the au pair becomes a member of the household. As such, the au pair is likely to have recurring personal needs that may include expenses for mobile phone, internet use, personal car use/automobile insurance and/or public transportation, basic toiletries, and cultural and recreation experiences with your family, as well as special clothing needed because of climate differences from their home country, or for sports, recreation or travel. Host families and au pairs should discuss who will be responsible for these expenses in accordance with your mutual expectations, as well as the specific planned activities or excursions of the host family.
The au pair minimum weekly stipend, room and board, education allowance and other program elements are subject to change based on any revisions to Department of State regulations for the au pair program, or any other applicable laws or regulations. If this occurs, Au Pair in America will inform families. Au Pairs from over 50 countries enter the United States on a 12-month visa. Upon successful completion of the first year they have the option to extend their stay for 6, 9 or 12 months. A limited number of these Year2 au pairs elect to extend their program duration with a different family. In these instances host families pay the published match processing fee and the program fee is pro-rated pending the 6, 9 or 12 month extended stay.
Program Fees do not include:
- The educational allowance for au pairs of up to $500 for the Au Pair and Extraordinaire program; and up to $1,000 for Educare.
- A $35 U.S. government required SEVIS fee is charged for every au pair arriving to your home, except in circumstances where the au pair has transferred from one family into your family.
Match Processing and Program Fees
The match processing fee is due upon selection of the au pair and is non-refundable except in circumstances the au pair is unable to arrive.
The full program fee is due 30 days prior to the arrival of the au pair to your home unless the family elects to make payments through the Extended Payment Plan.
Extended Payment Plan
The extended payment plan enables families to pay the program fee in seven affordable installments. This plan is available to families on a full 12-month program contract. Please note: An annual plan activator fee of $80 is due with the first installment and a $55 service charge is applied to each subsequent payment.
Customer Loyalty Discount
and other discounts are available to families who have participated in another AIFS program, who refer new families to Au Pair in America or who transfer from another government-designated au pair program. Contact us for details.
Payment Options
Fees are payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or e-check. Late payments are subject to a finance charge.
Program Fees Include:
Enrolling, interviewing and matching the au pair and host family; administrative and support services during the exchange; round trip transportation between designated cities abroad and the U.S.; au pair orientation; partial J-1 visa processing; the basic medical insurance; personal liability coverage; support services throughout the year, a cultural workshop for the host family and unlimited access to online resources. Program fees also include a re-matching service should a replacement au pair be required to fulfill a host family’s contract year.
Fees and the weekly au pair salary do not include the educational allowance required of all host families – $500 for Au Pair and Extraordinaire; $1,000 for EduCare. The educational component is currently under review by The Department of State. You will be advised if there is a mandated change. Match processing fee is non-refundable unless Au Pair in America can not bring in the au pair.
*A $35 U.S. government imposed SEVIS fee is charged for every au pair arriving to your home, except in circumstances where the au pair has transferred from one family into your family.
Excess airline fees: An additional fee may be imposed if air carriers levy increased fuel surcharges or new increased taxes after January 1, 2012.
