You've had a wonderful year with your au pair - she's bonded with your kids, helped you get your life organized again, and taught you all a bit of Spanish. You are in the zone and don't want it to end after one year - what do you do???

I recently spoke to a host mom in this situation and gave her the great news - it doesn't have to end! A program extension is available for 6, 9 or 12 months for au pairs and host families who want to lengthen their experience together. In order to take advantage of this wonderful option you will need to first work with your au pair to help her complete her education requirement. Without this complete, an extension application cannot be submitted to the Department of State. From the start, you should work with your Area Director and au pair to decide her education plan.

Once these education documents are completed and handed in to your Area Director, you can apply for your extension. Host families can easily apply online, and are given the opportunity to pay for their au pair's Department of State SEVIS fee if they wish. Au pairs need to log in to Au Pair Room to find their application, which should be filled out, printed, and sent to headquarters (via fax, mail, or emailed to extensions@aupaircare.com) with the SEVIS fee (if they will be paying it). Extension applications are generally due the first of the month BEFORE the au pair's program year ends. For example, a program year ending in March would have an extension application deadline of February 1st. Occasionally, these dates change to accommodate holidays or other time constraints, so always confirm with your Area Director when your extension application is due.

It can take several weeks from submission for an application to be approved by the Department of State. Once approved you'll get an email letting you know that you are set to go. Your next step? Enjoy another wonderful year with your au pair!

The inspiration for this week's blog post came from a recent situation - a host mom called me to report that while visiting family in Brazil, her extension au pair's visa had been denied.  This host mom could not understand why this had happened, and was looking to me to try to help undo this situation.

When an au pair decides to extend with her host family, she has two choices.  One is to stay in the US for the second year on her original visa.  This is completely legal and the 'safest' way to remain in the US, though her travel in that second year will be limited to one trip within Canada, Mexico or the Carribbean.

Some au pairs want to visit family, or want the option to travel outside the US, so these au pairs may decide to return home and renew their visa.  While this is typically a simple and easy procedure, occasionally troubles arise.  When choosing to renew the visa, this must be done BEFORE the original visa expires.  Unfortunately with the situation that occurred this week, this did not happen.  While this au pair had her old and new DS-2019 forms, because she did not renew before expiration the Department of State was not willing to renew her visa.  I heard from this au pair's host mom that a friend had been able to renew with an expired visa so they had all assumed that it would be ok.

Officials at the embassy or Department of State may change, as will visa interviewers who may or may not ask specific questions.  When deciding to renew your visa, AuPairCare always recommends that au pairs take all steps necessary to ensure that their application will be approved.  This means bringing all paperwork and follow the Department of State's rules closely.  

If your extension au pair has a visa renewal coming up, double check that she is renewing before her visa expires, and that she has all paperwork with her for her appointment.  Armed proper documentation and having followed all the rules, you should have your au pair back with your family for her second year in no time!

I believe that it is a very difficult decision for your AuPair to determine if they want to extend their program or return home. If you have a good relationship with your AuPair, chances are they are very torn about leaving your family to return home. In most cases, the life they live in the US as an AuPair is much better or more fulfilling than what they had at home. Also, they may change their mind about what they want to do with their future. This happened to us with both of our AuPairs. When they first arrived, they each had ideas about what they will do for school/work when they returned home. After 1-2 years in the US, they changed their mind because they became aware of the many opportunities available, especially with a good education.

During this difficult time I feel it is important to talk openly about this with your AuPair. Try and understand her situation and why she is feeling torn. Help her look at both sides of the situation and always try to remain objective. I know this is hard because you probably want your AuPair to extend with your family.

Encourage them to talk to other AuPairs, friends and family. Maybe even visit their home. Sometimes encouraging a visit will also help them decide what they want to do. They could realize that life in the US is better than their home country. Any ideas or suggestions???