Hvilke leveomkostninger dækker værtsfamilien, og hvilke udgifter skal jeg selv betale som au pair?

our host family covers the major costs of your au pair year: a private room, weekly stipend, and up to $500 toward your education. You are responsible for personal spending like your phone plan, social outings, personal travel, and any coursework costs beyond the family's contribution.

AuPairCare purchases travel and accident insurance policies for all au pairs while on program, as well as flight arrival to the U.S. to AuPairCare Connect, the New York City Adventure, flights to your host family, and your return flight home after completing your program.

The U.S. Department of State sets the framework for what host families must provide through the J-1 visa au pair program. These requirements exist so you can focus on your cultural exchange experience without worrying about basic living expenses. Here is a full breakdown of what is covered and what you should budget for on your own.

Hvilke leveomkostninger dækker min værtsfamilie?

Host families are required to provide several core benefits as part of the program costs they pay, which total roughly $21,500 per year. Your covered expenses include:

• Private room in the family's home. You will have your own furnished bedroom at no cost to you.
• Meals. You have access to food in the home or a meal allowance when the family is away.
• Weekly stipend. The Department of State minimum is $195.75 per week. AuPairCare minimum weekly stipend is $215 per week, which is higher than the U.S. Department of State minimum.*
• Round-trip airfare. Your flight to and from the U.S. is arranged and paid for by the program.
• Education contribution. Host families contribute up to $500 per year toward your required coursework, which includes 6 semester hours of academic credit at an accredited U.S. institution.
• Regarding health insurance: travel and accident insurance policies are purchased by AuPairCare and provide coverage for the duration of your program year.

You can review all of these benefits in more detail on our benefits of becoming an au pair page.

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Hvilke udgifter skal jeg selv betale som au pair?

Det er dit eget ansvar at dække dine personlige udgifter. De fleste au pairer oplever, at det ugentlige lommepenge beløb sagtens dækker disse udgifter, men det er en god idé at planlægge på forhånd. Typiske personlige udgifter omfatter:

• Cell phone plan. While some families may cover their au pair’s phone plan, a prepaid or monthly plan typically runs $30 to $50 per month.
• Personal travel. Weekend trips, vacation travel, and sightseeing costs are on you, though you do receive two weeks of paid vacation per year.
• Social activities. Dining out, entertainment, and outings with friends.
• Toiletries and personal care items. Shampoo, cosmetics, and similar products.
• Coursework costs beyond $500. If your tuition or fees exceed the host family's $500 contribution, you cover the difference.
• Tøj og personlig shopping.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average young adult in the U.S. spends roughly $200 to $400 per month on these categories. With room, board, and travel and accident insurance already covered, your stipend goes further. To better understand how compensation fits into the program overall, explore au pair salary and benefits.

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Hvor meget får jeg egentlig udbetalt hver uge som au pair?

The federal minimum stipend is $195.75 per week, set by the Department of State. AuPairCare minimum weekly stipend is $215 per week, which is higher than the U.S. Department of State minimum.* Use the au pair salary calculator to estimate your annual take-home amount.

Keep in mind that J-1 visa holders may have tax obligations on stipend income. The IRS provides guidance on how J-1 visa participants are taxed. Most au pairs fall below the standard deduction threshold, but you should review your specific situation. If you want to better understand the program side of this requirement, learn more about the au pair visa.

Hvordan fungerer uddannelsesgodtgørelsen?

Host families contribute up to $500 per year toward the six semester hours of coursework required by the J-1 visa program. You choose your classes at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution. Many au pairs select English language courses, early childhood education, or other subjects that interest them. If your total tuition exceeds $500, you pay the remaining balance. Full details are available in our au pair program requirements.

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

Skal jeg betale husleje eller forbrugsudgifter?

Nej. Din værtsfamilie stiller dit private værelse og alle husholdningsudgifter til rådighed uden omkostninger for dig.

Er der mad inkluderet på mine fridage?

Ja. Du har adgang til måltider i hjemmet under hele dit ophold, også på fridage og feriedage.

Kan jeg forhandle mig frem til et højere stipendium?

AuPairCare er 215 $ om ugen, hvilket er højere end det amerikanske udenrigsministeriums minimumsbeløb.*Nogle familier tilbyder mere end dette minimumsbeløb. Du kan drøfte lønnen under matchingsprocessen, og mange AuPairCare betaler mere om ugen.

Skal jeg tegne min egen sygeforsikring?

Rejse- og ulykkesforsikring er inkluderet i dit program. Du er dækket i hele opholdets varighed. 

Hvor mange timer om ugen skal jeg arbejde for at få mit stipendium?

Au pairs work a maximum of 45 hours per week and receive two weeks of paid vacation per year. See the full scheduling details for more information.

Er du klar til at arbejde som au pair? Vi hjælper dig!

At AuPairCare, we handle the logistics so you can focus on your experience. Visit our au pair program overview to learn how the program works, or apply to become an au pair to take the first step toward your year in the U.S.

Det amerikanske udenrigsministeriums beregning af det ugentlige minimumslønbeløb er baseret på den føderale mindsteløn med et fradrag på 40 % for kost og logi som modydelse for børnepasning. AuPairCare ugentlige AuPairCare er 215 $ om ugen, hvilket er højere end det amerikanske udenrigsministeriums minimum. Værtsfamilier og au pairer kan frit aftale en ugentlig løn, der er endnu højere end minimumet på 215 $ om ugen. Minimumslønnen for au pairer, refusion af uddannelsesudgifter og andre muligheder kan ændres i henhold til opdateringer af de føderale regler for au pairer. Værtsfamilier er forpligtet til at betale den ugentlige minimumsløn, og den må ikke tilbageholdes af nogen grund. Skulle der ske ændringer, AuPairCare underrette alle berørte parter.‍