UNITED KINGDOM
The age to be an au pair in the United Kingdom must be between 17 and 27 years old.
The au pair must not be married and must not have children.
The au pair must have sufficient financial resources to be able to maintain herself during her stay as an au pair and she should not use public funds in Britain.
The main purpose of the au pair in the United Kingdom is to study English.
In exchange for food, lodging and pocket money the au pair must take care of the children of the host family and must give a hand in the household.
The host family must live in Britain and must speak the English language.
The duration of stay in the UK is between 6 and 12 months, but the maximum duration is two years.
Travel costs are always in charge of the au pair, but the host family may assume half the costs of the return flight if the girl has worked in the family for at least half the stipulated time or for at least 3 months.
The au pair must have the opportunity to attend an English language course and the course fees are generally in charge of the au pair unless otherwise agreed with the host family.
Regarding the duration of the holidays most families allow at the au pair one or two weeks of holidays for a stay of 12 months.
The au pair is, however, entitled to two full days off per week and once a month a day off should be on Sunday.
Working hours cannot be higher than 25 per week.
Weekly pocket money is about 55 pounds.
Au pairs from non-EU countries can only work as a "traditional au pair."
Au pairs of Member States of the European Union can work as an Au Pair Plus or Mother's help, which implies a greater number of hours worked per week, about 35, and a weekly pocket money ranging between 60 and 75 pounds a week. An au pair plus has the right of a day and half off per week.
It is very important that between Great Britain and the country of origin of au pairs there are bilateral agreements on au pair placement to be able young to stay legally in Britain as an au pair.
Citizens of an EU member state or Switzerland, Norway and Iceland do not need a visa to be an au pair in Britain.
All others will need a visa. To obtain a visa, the au pair must fill out the form "VAF1 - Non-settlement" to apply for a visa for tourism at the British Embassy in his/her country of origin.
Au pairs who want to stay in the United Kingdom beyond 6 months should make contact with the competent authority "Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND)" at the Home Office about 6-8 weeks during the first 6 months of stay. If the au pair needs a visa, it will usually be issued for a period of 2 years. In this case, it is necessary that the au pair contacts the Competent Authority Home Office passed the 6 months. If an au pair was subject to a visa requirement, she must register at the local police within 7 days of his arrival in the United Kingdom.
The au pair can register on the National Health Service NHS without paying fees for it. Emergency medical care is free for all au pairs. The host family should inform before the arrival of the au pair what insurance coverage she/he already has and if this insurance coverage extends to the United Kingdom. In some cases it would be an advantage if the au pair gets private loans before leaving her/his country of origin.
The au pair from Australia, New Zealand, Canada or Japan or British citizens or those of British overseas territories may participate in the Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme).
Since 2008 the British government introduced the Youth Mobility Scheme Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) which replaces the Au Pair program and Working Holiday Program.
The au pairs from these countries will have to apply for a visa under the Tier 5
For more information see: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/tier5youthmobilityguidance.pdf
Read the information concerning the other countries
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