UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

To be an au pair in the U.S. your Country must have diplomatic relations with it.
Conditions to be an au pair in the USA:

1. to be aged between 18 and 26 years
2. to not be married
3. to have a driving license
4. to have a clean criminal record
5.to have 200 hours of experience in child care
6. to have a high school diploma
7. to not repeat the same program a second time
8. to work for 12 months in the au pair program
9. to understand and speak English

Conditions for the host family:

1. be U.S. citizens or residents in the country
2. provide the au pair with a private room and her meals
3. make sure the au pair does not work for more than 45 hours per week
4. make sure the au pair has at least one and a half days off per week, plus a weekend per  month. For a stay of 12 months with the same family the au pair is entitled to two weeks of paid vacation.
5.  give the au pair pocket money of around $ 200 per week
6.  give the au pair 2 weeks of vacation

In order to work legally in the U.S. as an au pair you must obtain a visa J-1, which you will be able to get it in one of twelve agencies which are authorized by law to issue these types of visas. At these agencies you can also get the form DS-2019 with which the visa application can be made.
The family has to pay the agency so that they will take care of the travel expenses of the au pair.  The au pair will lay a deposit at the agency chosen by the family. This deposit will be maintained during the stay of the au pair, to which the money deposited will be returned upon her return from the U.S.. If the au pair should leave the host family before the stipulated date, she/he will bear the cost of the return journey and not the money deposited will be returned. Before leaving the au pair must attend an 8-hour course on safety of children and a course of 24 hours in the development of children. Moreover, the au pair must attend secondary education during his stay in the U.S.. The host family must contribute to the cost of these courses up to an annual sum of $ 500. Besides this, some agencies offer language courses that may be required to attend. The host family must provide a health insurance for the au pair. It is recommended that the au pair provide herself an accident insurance and liability insurance valid for the duration of stay abroad.
For more information about J-1 visa, please visit http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/programs/aupair.html

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