Is It Safe to Be an Au Pair in the US? A Parent's Complete Guide

If your child is considering becoming an au pair in the United States, your first question is almost certainly whether they will be safe. Sending your child abroad is a meaningful decision, and it is natural to want clear, factual reassurance before moving forward. When an au pair goes through a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor like AuPairCare, the program is built on a federally regulated framework of screening, support, and oversight that protects young people throughout their year in the United States.

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AuPairCare is a U.S. Department of State-designated J-1 visa sponsor that has matched more than 100,000 au pairs with American host families since 1989. The short answer is yes: the U.S. au pair program is a federally regulated cultural exchange program, and au pairs continue to arrive and live safely with screened host families. In this guide, we will walk through how the program is structured under U.S. law, how host families are screened, what support systems are in place, what happens if a problem arises, how parents can stay connected, and why working with a designated sponsor is fundamentally different from an informal arrangement.

Is It Safe for My Child to Become an Au Pair in the United States?

Yes. The U.S. au pair program is a federally regulated cultural exchange program overseen by the U.S. Department of State through the BridgeUSA initiative, and au pairs enter the country on a J-1 visa that grants them specific legal protections.

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The J-1 cultural exchange visa is a non-immigrant visa category administered by the U.S. Department of State for international exchange visitors. The au pair program is one of the official BridgeUSA categories; it is a structured, government-recognized program with defined rules for how participants live, work, and are supported while in the United States. The visa itself is what makes the arrangement legal and emphasizes au pair safety during their stay. (For the latest on current visa and entry conditions, see our current 2026 visa and safety updates.)

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The U.S. Department of State designates a limited number of organizations, known as sponsors, to operate au pair programs. These sponsors must follow detailed federal regulations outlined in 22 CFR 62.31, which govern everything from host family screening to working hours and ongoing supervision. Designation is not permanent; sponsors must demonstrate continued compliance and are subject to monitoring and audits to maintain their status.

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This structure is what sets the program apart from any informal childcare arrangement. Working through a Department of State-designated sponsor means there is a defined legal framework, required screening processes, and an established support system throughout the program. There is also accountability, because sponsors are responsible for ensuring that both au pairs and host families follow federal rules.

AuPairCare is one of these designated sponsors. As a U.S. Department of State-designated J-1 visa sponsor, it operates within this federal framework and is responsible for managing placements, monitoring compliance, and supporting participants throughout their experience.

How Does AuPairCare Screen Their Host Families?

AuPairCare ensures that every single host family is vetted before being able to join the program. According to U.S. federal regulations, sponsors are required under 22 CFR 62.31 to conduct thorough host family screening before approving a family. This includes:

• Background checks
• Verification of employment and personal references
• In-person interviews and a home inspection with all adult members of the household

AuPairCare follows these requirements and incorporates additional internal review processes before a family is approved.

Before a family can host an au pair, an AuPairCare Area Director visits their home in person. During this visit, a trained representative meets every adult living in the household, observes the living environment directly, and confirms that the au pair will have their own private bedroom and adult-sized closet, and that the setting is appropriate for a young person living abroad.

The matching process also gives au pairs an active role in choosing their host family. Rather than being assigned to a family, au pairs review detailed family profiles, speak directly with potential host families by phone or video, and decide whether the match feels right. Both sides must agree before moving forward. Federal regulations also require a written agreement between the au pair and the host family outlining expectations and responsibilities before the au pair travels to the United States. (You can read more about how matching with a host family works.)

Once approved, host families must meet specific federal requirements throughout the program. These include providing:

• A suitable private bedroom
• Three meals a day
• A federally regulated weekly stipend
• Up to $500 toward required educational coursework
• Two weeks of paid vacation
• Designated time off, including at least one full weekend per month

These requirements are established by the U.S. Department of State and are monitored by the sponsor.

Not every family is approved. Families may be disqualified during the screening process if they fail background checks, are unable to provide appropriate living accommodations, or do not successfully complete the interview and application process. Sponsors ensure that only qualified families participate, and they must maintain compliance throughout the placement.

What Support Resources Does My Child Have Access to While They Are an Au Pair?

Every AuPairCare au pair has designated local support from an Area Director. Area Directors provide on-program support during the match, which includes monthly contact check-ins, fun monthly au pair community events, and a 24/7 emergency phone line to call when issues arise outside of business hours.

Area Directors are the au pair's primary point of contact while on program, and are responsible for guiding both the au pair and the host family, answering questions, and helping address any concerns that come up throughout the year. They organize regular activities and are typically the first person an au pair reaches out to if something does not feel right. Many Area Directors bring personal experience to the role, as former au pairs or current host parents, which helps keep them aware of the specific matters an au pair may face throughout the year.

In addition to designated local support, federal regulations require ongoing, documented contact between the sponsor and each participant. Under 22 CFR 62.31, local counselors must maintain monthly personal contact with both the au pair and the host family. This legal requirement ensures that someone is consistently checking in, monitoring the placement, and identifying any concerns early.

AuPairCare also facilitates local gatherings called Cultural Connection Events, where au pairs can meet others in their area. These events provide an opportunity to build friendships, share experiences, and develop a sense of community outside of the host family home. While these are not formal requirements, they are an important part of helping au pairs feel connected and supported in a new environment.

For situations that require immediate attention outside of regular business hours, AuPairCare provides 24/7 emergency support, so au pairs have access to assistance at any time of day or night. This ensures that help is available at any time, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

What Happens if Something Goes Wrong During My Child's Au Pair Year?

What If My Child Feels the Match Is Not a Good Fit?

AuPairCare has a formal rematch process that allows an au pair to move to a new host family if the placement is not working. An au pair who is not thriving can request a rematch with the support of their Area Director, who helps assess the situation, facilitate communication between both parties, and determine next steps.

Living with a new family in a different country can take adjustment, and sometimes a better fit is needed. During this process, the Area Director may help arrange temporary housing if necessary and works with the au pair to identify and transition to another approved host family within the program.

What If My Child Has a Medical Emergency?

AuPairCare provides travel and accident insurance as part of the program to help cover costs related to covered emergencies. In an urgent situation, the au pair's first step is to call 911 (or the local emergency number) to receive immediate medical assistance.

After emergency services are contacted, the au pair can reach out to their Area Director and AuPairCare's 24/7 support line for guidance and coordination. These support channels can help the au pair navigate next steps, access appropriate care, and communicate with their family at home.

What If My Child Needs to Come Home Early?

Au pairs have the option to end their program early if necessary. If this situation arises, the process is coordinated through the Area Director and the AuPairCare team, who help guide the au pair through the next steps, ensuring that the departure is handled in an organized and supported way. The focus is on helping the au pair return home safely while maintaining clear communication with all parties involved.

Can My Child's Passport or Visa Be Taken From Them?

No. Under United States federal law, it is illegal for any person, including a host family, to confiscate, withhold, or destroy another person's passport or immigration documents. This protection is codified in 18 U.S.C. § 1592, which carries penalties of up to five years in federal prison.

Au pairs retain control of their passport, DS-2019 form, and visa at all times. This legal protection is an important safeguard and reinforces that participants in the program maintain full control over their personal identification and immigration documents throughout their stay.

How Can I Stay Connected With My Child During Their Au Pair Year?

Regular video calls, shared messaging apps, and agreed-upon check-in rhythms make it easy for parents to stay close to their child throughout the program year, even across time zones.

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• Use familiar, reliable tools: Most families stay in touch through apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, FaceTime, WeChat, or Zoom for longer conversations.
• Plan around time zones: The United States spans multiple time zones, which can take some adjustment. If your child is placed in California, for example, their morning may be late evening for you.
• Expect some homesickness at first: It is completely normal for au pairs to feel homesick, especially in the first few weeks. During this time, your support matters, but so does encouraging your child to build connections where they are. Getting to know their host family, reaching out to their Area Director, and spending time with other au pairs can help them overcome culture shock and homesickness and settle in more quickly.
• Agree on a healthy communication rhythm: Many families find that one planned video call per week, combined with messages throughout the week, creates a good balance. The most important part is that you and your child decide on a rhythm together, so it feels supportive rather than pressured.
• Understand phone access: Some host families may cover an au pair's U.S. phone plan, but this is not a program requirement. Regardless, most au pairs have regular access to Wi-Fi, making it easy to stay in touch through messaging and video apps.

With the right balance, you can stay closely involved in your child's experience while also giving them the space to grow and thrive abroad.

Is It Safer to Go Through an Agency Than Independently?

It is safer to go through an agency, and in the United States, it is the only legal path. Au pairs may only enter the country through a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor on a J-1 visa. Informal or unlicensed au pair arrangements have no legal status, no federal oversight, and no support structure. (This is also why an official sponsor matters when avoiding scams.)

The au pair program is not something that can be arranged privately or outside of an approved system. Working through a Department of State-designated sponsor means your child is participating in a regulated cultural exchange program with defined rules, protections, and accountability. Any arrangement outside of this framework is not recognized under U.S. law as a valid au pair placement.

Informal arrangements may appear similar on the surface, but they lack the safeguards built into the official program. Without a designated sponsor, there is no J-1 visa, no requirement for a private bedroom, no verified host family screening process, no local Area Director, no structured support system, no 24/7 emergency assistance, no rematch process, and no travel and accident insurance. There is also no federal oversight and no formal recourse if something goes wrong.

By contrast, Department of State-designated sponsors operate under ongoing government supervision. Under 22 CFR 62.31, sponsors are required to submit annual compliance reports prepared by an independent certified public accountant. These reports are reviewed as part of the Department of State's oversight, and designation can be revoked if a sponsor fails to meet program standards.

AuPairCare operates within this regulated framework and has done so for more than 35 years. Since 1989, it has matched more than 100,000 au pairs with host families while maintaining its status as a Department of State-designated sponsor. This long-standing participation reflects continued compliance with federal requirements and a sustained role within the program structure.

Final Thoughts: A Structured Program Designed for Peace of Mind

Sending your child to another country is hard, for parents just as much as for the au pair. A structured cultural exchange experience through AuPairCare is designed precisely so that parents can have peace of mind while their child has a positive, life-changing experience.

If you would like to understand more about how the program works and what your child's experience could look like, you can review the requirements to become an au pair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is the United States a Great Country to Be an Au Pair In?

The United States offers a combination of cultural exposure, language immersion, and travel opportunities that make it a well-established destination for au pairs. As part of a U.S. Department of State cultural exchange program, au pairs experience daily life in an American household while improving their English and gaining a deeper understanding of U.S. culture.

Outside the home, au pairs have the opportunity to travel during their time off, whether locally or to other regions of the country. AuPairCare also offers an arrival orientation in New York City and opportunities to connect with other au pairs. In addition, the program includes an educational component, with host families contributing up to $500 toward required coursework, allowing au pairs to take classes at a local college or university.

What Kind of Experiences Will My Child Have in the U.S. as an Au Pair?

Most of the daily routine of an au pair centers around living with and supporting their host family, including helping care for children by helping with homework, assisting with morning and evening routines, doing school drop-offs, preparing snacks, and playing.

Outside of their host family responsibilities, au pairs use their time off to explore their surroundings, travel, and connect with others. Many take advantage of the program's educational requirement by enrolling in courses at local colleges, which can also be a way to meet new people.

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