But What About the Kids? Work Permits for Nannies and Au Pairs

Au pairs can participate in an exchange visitor (J-1) program for up to 12 months in the U.S. During this time, they can provide up to 45 hours/week of child-care services to their host family. Participation is limited to high school graduates between the ages of 18 and 26 who are proficient in spoken English. The au pair must be placed through one of the several program sponsors designated by the United States Information Agency (USIA). Host families must pay a stipend of at least $115/week and must pay up to $500 for academic courses for the au pair. A listing of au pair agencies designated by the USIA can be provided upon request.

Full-time nannies and other domestic workers, on the other hand, generally benefit from no such specific visa category. To obtain authorization for permanent employment in the U.S., a nanny's employer would have to test the labor market through a labor certification application, in a process similar to that required for Professionals. However, because the number of visas issued to domestic workers is severely limited and therefore backlogged, there is a waiting period of at least five years.

A nanny who is accompanying her employer while on temporary assignment in the U.S. may be eligible for a temporary status in order to continue providing those services during the U.S. assignment of her employer.

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