An au pair organization is an agency which complies with 22 C.F.R. 62.31 (which deals with foreign relations—specifically, au pairs.) This program allows foreign nationals between the ages of 18 and 26 to live with a host American family for one year, with a one-year extension permitted. To comply with the regulations, most au pair organizations hire a local coordinator. Au pair organizations must follow guidelines set forth by the United States Department of State, which include:
Limiting the participation of foreign nationals in the program to one year (unless legally extended)Requiring that all officers, employees, agents, and volunteers be adequately trained and supervisedRequiring that the au pair is placed with a host family within a one-hour drive of the local organizational representative authorized to act on the sponsor's behalfRequiring that each local organizational representative maintain a monthly record of all personal contacts with each au pair and host family for which he or she is responsibleRequiring that all local representatives contact au pair participants and host families twice monthly for the first two months after placementRequiring that local representatives not be responsible for more than 15 families if not employed full-timeRequiring that each local representative provide adequate support servicesProvide the au pair with child-development and child-safety instructionTo qualify as a host family, the following requirements mandated by the State Department must be met:
A parent or other responsible adult must remain home for the first three days after the au pair's arrivalChild must be at least three months of age, unless a parent or other responsible adult is presentThere must be a written agreement between the au pair and the host family limiting hours worked to 10 hours per day and 30 hours (if in the EduCare program) or 45 hours (otherwise) per weekAu pair must be provided with a suitable private bedroomHost family must interview the au pair by telephone or video chat prior to departure from his or her countryHost family must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residentsHost parents must be fluent in EnglishHost family must pay the au pair a weekly stipend of $195.75The U.S. Department of State requires that Au Pairs are:
Proficient in spoken English;A secondary school graduate or equivalent; andBetween 18-and-26-years-old.Capable of fully participating in the program as evidenced by the satisfactory completion of a physical.Personally interviewed, in English, by an organizational representative who shall prepare a report of the interview which shall be provided to the host family; andSuccessful in passing a background investigation that includes verification of school, three, non-family related personal and employment references, a criminal background check or its recognized equivalent and a personality profile. Such personality profile will be based upon a psychometric test designed to measure differences in characteristics among applicants against those characteristics considered most important to successfully participate in the au pair program.These are the 17 agencies designated by the State Department to administer the au pair program, although two have the same address:
Au Pair 4 Me20/20 Care ExchangeA.P.EX. American Professional Exchange (PROaupair)Agent Au PairAmerican Cultural Exchange (Go Au Pair)Au Pair FoundationAu Pair in America / AIFSAu Pair InternationalAuPairCareCultural Care Au Pair (EF Education First)Cultural Homestay InternationalEurAupairExpert Group International (Expert AuPair)GreatAuPairInterExchange Au Pair USAUSAuPairNature AU piar agency