Au pairs have the opportunity to extend their program term through the extension program for 6, 9, or 12 additional months.  In order to extend, an au pair must be in good standing with the program including completion of the required educational requirement:

Not less than 6 semester hours (or their equivalent) of academic credit at a post secondary accredited institution - 22 C.F.R. Part 62.31 K (1)    

The Department of State regulations state that au pairs have 12 months to complete their educational component.  However, Cultural Care is required to submit to the Department of State all extension requests 30 days prior to the end of the au pair’s first year.  Based on recent clarification from the Department, all au pairs who plan to extend their program term 6, 9, or 12 months must now have their educational component COMPLETE by this deadline.  This means that extending au pairs will NOT be able to complete or take any classes in the 12^th month of their first year in order to fulfill their educational requirement.  All classes must begin and conclude prior to the end of the au pair’s 11^th month. 

Cultural Care Au Pair will now require verbal or written confirmation from au pairs wishing to extend that his/her course has been or will be completed by the end of their 11^th month in order to submit the extension application to the Department of State for approval. Final confirmation must be in the form of a certificate, transcript or letter from the school showing that the required credits have been obtained and this must be submitted to Cultural Care before the end of the 12^th month.  Please note that final approval of any extension application is subject to the sole discretion of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs and cannot be guaranteed by Cultural Care.   

We have been informed that further clarification on the educational component is forthcoming from the Department of State and we will share that information with you as soon as it is made available

We encourage au pairs to take steps to explore educational opportunities in their communities immediately upon arrival to the U.S.  The educational component is an important part of their program experience as well as a condition of their visa.  Fulfilling the requirement as early in the year as possible will help to keep au pairs in compliance and will leave open the possibility for participation in the extension program without complication. 

Please be reminded that au pairs who are not planning to extend their program term are, of course, required to complete their educational component and noncompliance with this requirement will result in forfeit of deposit and return flight.