How to Sponsor a Live-in Nanny

Live-in nannies from countries outside the United States can provide the host family not only with child care services, but she can also help bring the world outside the United States a little closer to home. Since 1985, the U.S. government's au pair exchange program lets a nanny enter the U.S. with a J classification visa, live with a host family for up to a year, provide a designated number of hours a nanny can work per week, and pursue post-secondary education. The best way to sponsor a nanny is to work with a State Department-approved nanny agency and to follow immigration law during the process.

Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure that you have the financial resources to sponsor a nanny and that your family meets host family requirements for the nanny exchange program. You must be able to provide your nanny with at least minimum wage, a private bedroom, and all adults in the family must pass a background check. Nannies can only work up to 45 hours per week. You must also pay up to $500 towards your nanny's educational expenses. The State Department's EduCare program allows nannies to work up to 30 hours a week, but they must complete 12 hours of post-secondary courses. You must contribute up to $1,000 towards educational expenses for this program.

    • 2

      Choose an approved State Department nanny agency to work with. These agencies help facilitate the immigration and screening process, as well as provide basic child care training for nannies. Some of the approved agencies include Au Pair Foundation, Inc., International Exchange Au Pair, and Cultural Homestay International.

      Contact the sponsoring agency and begin the process of finding your nanny. You may be able to extend your nanny's the stay under certain conditions. Contact the agency you're working with to find out more details about extensions.

    • 3

      Apply to be a host family, and interview your selected nanny candidates. The nanny agency will work with you to help you determine the best nanny for your family. Factors such as your children's ages, your schedule, and your family's interests will be considered in choosing a nanny. For example, Au Pair International's application process for host families involves the family first filling out an application that details these factors, going through a home visit from the agency, and choosing and interviewing a nanny from the agency's available candidates. The potential au pair then has the opportunity to accept the family's offer of employment.

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