United States (J-1): Au Pair Rules
The au pair category of the J-1 exchange visitor program is governed by a single federal regulation, 22 CFR § 62.31, and administered by the U.S. Department of State through designated sponsors. The rules below are the same in every state; what differs between states is wage-and-hour law, which the state pages cover.
The rules
- Child care hours
Not more than 10 hours of child care per day and not more than 45 hours in any one week. EduCare participants: not more than 10 hours per day and not more than 30 hours per week.
- Time off
A minimum of one and a half days off per week, in addition to one complete weekend off each month.
- Paid vacation
Two weeks of paid vacation for each 12-month exchange term.
- Weekly stipend
A weekly rate based upon 45 hours of child care per week, paid in conformance with the Fair Labor Standards Act as interpreted and implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor. EduCare participants are paid 75% of that weekly rate.
- Education requirement
Not less than six semester hours of academic credit or the equivalent at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution; the host family pays that course work up to $500. EduCare: not less than twelve semester hours, paid up to $1,000.
- Education during an extension
For a six-month extension: three semester hours, paid up to $250 (EduCare: six semester hours, up to $500). For a nine- or twelve-month extension the same obligation as the initial year applies.
- Age
Between the ages of 18 and 26, a secondary school graduate or equivalent, and proficient in spoken English.
- Program length
Participation is limited to one year. The Department of State may approve an extension of six, nine or twelve months; the application must reach the Department not less than 30 calendar days before the end date on the DS-2019.
- Infants and children under 2
No placement with a family having a child less than three months old unless a parent or other responsible adult is present in the home, and no placement with a family having children under the age of two unless the au pair has at least 200 hours of documented infant child care experience.
- Training before placement
At least eight hours of child safety instruction, of which no less than four are infant-related, plus at least 24 hours of child development instruction, of which no less than four cover children under the age of two.
- Sponsor and paperwork
Placement runs through a sponsor designated by the Department of State. The au pair travels on a J-1 visa; the sponsor is named on the Form DS-2019 and is the first contact for problems during the stay.
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (checked 17 Sep 2026)
- Grace period after the program
After the program — the period defined on the Form DS-2019 — ends, USCIS allows a 30-day travel period, the grace period. The participant is no longer in J-1 status and may not work; travelling beyond the borders of the United States is not recommended, because re-entry may be refused.
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (checked 18 Sep 2026)
- Admission period (rule postponed)
A DHS final rule (91 FR 44976, 17 July 2026) would replace admission for duration of status with a fixed admission period and was due to take effect on 15 September 2026. On 14 September 2026 the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts postponed its effective date pending further order of the court or resolution of the case on the merits, and barred DHS from taking further action to implement it.
What we could not verify
These figures are missing on purpose. We found no official source stating them, and an estimate on a page about rules is worse than a gap.
- The stipend in dollars. The regulation sets the method (45 hours, Fair Labor Standards Act, EduCare at 75%) but names no amount, and we found no current figure on a Department of State page. Ask your sponsor for the amount they apply, and see the state page for your state’s published minimum wage.
- Program and visa fees charged to host families or au pairs. Sponsor fees are set by each sponsor, not by the regulation.
Sources
- 22 CFR § 62.31 — Au pairsU.S. Government Publishing Office (Code of Federal Regulations) · 22 CFR Ch. I (4-1-24 edition) · checked 17 Sep 2026
- Au Pair Program — BridgeUSAU.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs · checked 17 Sep 2026
- Adjustments and Extensions — BridgeUSA ParticipantsU.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs · checked 18 Sep 2026
- Preliminary Injunction Order Postponing Effective Date of Final Rule, Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, No. 1:26-cv-13799-FDS (D. Mass.), ECF 51U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts · filed 14 September 2026 · checked 18 Sep 2026
This page is a summary of published rules, not legal advice. Rules change, and an authority can read its own rules differently in an individual case. Check the linked source, and ask your agency or the responsible authority before you sign.
Other countries
Germany
30 hours a week, €280 pocket money a month, €840 towards a German course, six to twelve months.
France
25 hours a week, at least €320 pocket money a month, French course, long-stay visa “jeune au pair”.
Netherlands
30 hours a week, 8 hours a day, two days off, one year maximum, recognised agency only.
Austria
16.5 hours a week including on-call time, at least €551.10 a month, notified to the AMS in advance.
United Kingdom
No au pair scheme: an au pair is an employee entitled to the National Minimum Wage.
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