What Host Families Need to Know About the J-1 Visa

What Host Families Need to Know About the Au Pair J-1 Visa

When families first explore hosting an au pair, the J-1 visa is often one of the first questions that comes up. What is it? Who handles it? What does it mean for your family?

The good news is that AuPairCare manages the visa sponsorship process on your behalf — but understanding how the J-1 visa works helps you set the right expectations from the start. Here's everything host families need to know.

What Is the J-1 Au Pair Visa?

The J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued by the U.S. Department of State for participants in approved cultural exchange programs. For au pairs, it's formally known as the Exchange Visitor Visa, and it allows young adults from abroad to live and work as au pairs in the United States for up to 12 months, with the option to extend.

The J-1 visa is what makes the au pair program legal. Without it, au pairs cannot work in the U.S. — and only designated sponsor organizations approved by the State Department, like AuPairCare, can issue J-1 visas for au pairs.

This is an important distinction from hiring a nanny or a private caregiver. An au pair on a J-1 visa is part of a federally regulated cultural exchange program, which means there are clear rules governing hours, compensation, and responsibilities — providing structure and protection for both families and au pairs.

What Are the Host Family Requirements?

To participate in the au pair program and host a J-1 visa au pair, families must meet requirements set by the U.S. Department of State. These exist to ensure au pairs are entering safe, supportive homes.

Host families must:

• Be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents
• Speak English as the primary language in the home
• Provide a private bedroom suitable for an adult — not a shared space
• Pass a criminal background check
• Be committed to a year-long program placement
• Treat the au pair as a cultural exchange participant and member of the household

AuPairCare will walk you through each of these requirements during your application process. If you have questions about whether your home or situation qualifies, our [program advisors](/host-families/request-more-information) are happy to help.

For a full overview of what the program involves, visit our [host family program overview](/host-families/program-overview).

What Does AuPairCare Handle for Host Families?

One of the biggest advantages of working with AuPairCare is that we manage the visa sponsorship process entirely on your behalf. As a State Department-designated sponsor organization, we handle:

Visa sponsorship and DS-2019 issuance

AuPairCare issues the DS-2019 form — the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status — which your au pair needs to apply for their J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. Without a sponsor like AuPairCare, au pairs cannot obtain this document.

Au pair screening and eligibility verification

Before your au pair ever applies for their visa, AuPairCare has already verified that they meet all State Department requirements — age, health, English proficiency, secondary school graduation, childcare experience, and background checks. We require a minimum of 200 hours of documented childcare experience, significantly more than the federal minimum.

Pre-arrival orientation

All AuPairCare au pairs attend our exclusive in-person orientation at AuPairCare Connect in New York City before arriving at your home. This orientation covers program rules, cultural adjustment, childcare best practices, and what to expect in their first weeks with your family.

Year-round local support

Every AuPairCare family is assigned a local Area Director — an experienced program professional who provides in-person support throughout your placement. Many of our Area Directors were au pairs or host parents themselves, so they understand the program from both sides.

How Long Can an Au Pair Stay?

The standard J-1 au pair visa allows for a 12-month placement. At the end of that year, both you and your au pair have the option to extend the placement for an additional 6, 9, or 12 months — up to 24 months total.

Extensions must be requested through AuPairCare before the original visa term expires. If you're happy with your au pair and want to continue, we make the extension process straightforward.

If your family needs a shorter-term placement, AuPairCare can also connect you with au pairs who are already in the United States and available for a shorter remaining term.

What Happens to the J-1 Visa During a PCS Move?

For military families, one of the most common questions is what happens to the au pair program — and the J-1 visa — during a permanent change of station move.

The J-1 visa is issued to the au pair, not tied to a specific address. When your family relocates due to a PCS move, your au pair can move with you to your new duty station. AuPairCare coordinates the transition with your new local Area Director to ensure continuous support and a smooth handover.

This is one of the reasons au pairs are such a strong military family childcare solution,  childcare moves with you, and the program structure supports that flexibility

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J-1 Visa FAQs for Host Families

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Do host families apply for the J-1 visa, or does AuPairCare handle it?

AuPairCare handles the sponsorship. We issue the DS-2019 form that your au pair needs to apply for their J-1 visa at their local U.S. embassy or consulate. Host families do not apply for the visa directly — your role is to complete the host family application and matching process with AuPairCare.

Can my au pair work for anyone other than our family?

No. The J-1 au pair visa limits work authorization strictly to the host family listed in the program agreement. Your au pair cannot babysit for neighbors, work for other families, or take on any outside employment. This is a federal requirement — violations can result in removal from the program and impact your au pair's future visa eligibility.

What are my responsibilities as a host family under the J-1 program?

Under the State Department's [au pair program regulations](/department-of-state-au-pair-regulations), host families are responsible for providing room, board, and the weekly stipend. You must also ensure your au pair works no more than 10 hours per day and 45 hours per week, has at least one and a half days off per week, and receives two weeks of paid vacation annually. AuPairCare provides a host family agreement that outlines all of these responsibilities clearly before your au pair arrives.

Does hosting an au pair affect my taxes?

The weekly stipend you pay your au pair is subject to reporting requirements. Au pairs on J-1 visas are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes, but the stipend is considered taxable income for the au pair. Host families are not required to withhold taxes from the stipend.

For a full breakdown of costs and financial considerations, visit our au pair program costs page. We also recommend consulting a tax professional for your specific situation.

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Ready to Get Started?

Understanding the J-1 visa is an important first step — and now you know that AuPairCare handles the sponsorship process so you don't have to navigate it alone.

If you're ready to explore hosting an au pair, request more information and a program advisor will walk you through the next steps. Or, if you're ready to start browsing candidates, search au pair profiles to see who might be the right fit for your family.

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