au pair exchange programs | Go Au Pair Philadelphia, Bucks & Montgomery Counties and parts of NJ

The Au Pair program cost in the US and outside

Many countries participate in the Au Pair program. However, the Au Pair program requirement is very different around the world. The International Au Pair Association (IAPA) creates guidelines for au pair exchange programs and protects the rights of Au Pairs and host families from many countries.

According J-1 Visa exchange visitor program, Au Pairs can” Provide up to 10 hours a day/45 hours a week of childcare” Outside the US, Au Pairs usually work fewer hours and earn less money than US Au Pairs.

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According to Wikipedia, “In Europe, where the concept originated, au pairs are only supposed to work part-time, and they often also study part-time, generally focusing on the language of the host country, but in the United States, they are permitted to provide full-time childcare. In many countries Au Pairs are also supposed to pay for their classes, pay for their visa and paperwork, tickets and other experiences.”

For example, in Germany, Au Pairs provide 30 hours of childcare assistance and light housework for their host families each week. Their stipend is 65 Euros per week. Some families are willing to pay part of the money towards the cost of travel and classes, but it is not a requirement. So, working as an Au Pair in many countries can be expensive because it will cost money.

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On the contrary, Au Pairs in the US can save a lot of money, because all those expenses American host families pay. In addition, an Au Pair stipend in the US is usually higher. The Au Pair stipend for a standard program is $3.45 per hour set by the Federal Government and is $195.75 per week for 45 hours or more than $10,000 per year. ($195.75 is the minimum amount required by the Department of State. Families and Au Pairs are free to agree upon any amount higher than this minimum.)

Host families in the U.S. pay for Au Pairs J-i Visa and paperwork, classes, Airfare tickets and other expenses like health insurance, etc.. That is why the Au Pair program for the host family in the US costs around $8 per hour and depends on the agency. With Go Au Pair the cost of the standard Au Pair program is $353 per week or only $7.85 per hour.