It is very important that all au pairs and host families understand this.  An au pair must complete the educational requirement and show proof of completion.  Please read the following and understand that they are serious requirements direct from the U.S. Department of State:

  • An Au Pair who is in his/her first year or extending for 12 or 9 months, must complete either 6 credits or 72 hours at an accredited institution.  If an Au Pair is extending for 6 months, they must complete 3 credits or 36 hours.  At the end of their year, they must get an official transcript (or letter if class was an audit) from the school and fax, mail or email a copy of this to the Cultural Care office in Boston.  
  • They must show their LCC (me) the transcript as well so I can approve their flight and deposit release.  I cannot sign the release without seeing the proof.
  • Once the proof has been received by the office in Boston, they will schedule the Au Pair’s return flight to their home Country
  • If an Au Pair does not send this in, they will be locked out of their on line account and will not have access to their flight itinerary until proper documentation is received.

If an Au Pair is wishing to extend the following must happen:

  • The education component MUST be completed by the end of the Au Pair’s 11th month.  I would highly recommend that they have it completed by the middle of the 11th month to be on the safe side
  • All proof of completion (official transcript or letter on school letterhead) must be received by the Boston office no later than the end of the 11th month.  If we do not have this, the Au Pair cannot extend.  

If an Au Pair does not complete the educational component he/she will lose his/her flight home and any deposit paid in the home Country.  Au pairs who do not pursue their educational requirement are also at risk of being removed from the program since they are not compliant with the regulations of their visa.  All Au Pair’s are issued a J1 visa which is a student visa.  If they do not attend school they are in violation of their visa and due to State Department regulations, will be sent home.