Are you qualified to become an au pair?

Are you between 18
and 26 years old?


Are you a secondary school graduate or equivalent?


Do you have a driver’s license or the ability to get one?


Do you have at least 200 hours of childcare experience?


Are you excited about spending at least 12 months abroad?


Can you have a simple conversation in English?

6 simple steps to become an au pair

Create an account

by downloading the app or registering online

Complete your profile & interview with us

to start chatting with host families

Find your host family

and agree on your arrival date

Secure your visa 
& flights

knowing we’ll help you with the visa process and cover the flights

Attend au pair workshops

to prepare for your time in the USA

Travel to
the USA

to join your host family and start your au pair adventure!

We’re here for you every step of the way

Cultural Care offers support from day one, at home and in the USA.

Staff in your home country

  • Help you find your host family

  • Provide training and preparation

Staff in 3 U.S. offices

  • Offer support while in the USA

  • Provide 24-hour emergency service

A local representative in your area

  • Completes an in-person orientation

  • Checks in regularly and plans au pair
meet-ups

We provide a tailored program to prepare you for the au pair experience

CPR & First Aid course
provided by the American Heart Association

Virtual meet-ups to connect with other au pairs in your cohort

Ready for a new adventure?

Create a profile to begin your au pair journey!

Becoming an au pair FAQs

To legally travel to the USA as an au pair, you must go through a designated agency, like Cultural Care Au Pair. To get started, just download our app, register for free and create a profile. You’ll also join an Info Meeting and interview with a Cultural Care staff member so they can get to know you better. Once your profile is complete, you can search for and connect with host families. When you find your match, we’ll help you prepare for your visa appointment at the U.S. embassy. You’ll also attend our Au Pair Training School and helpful pre-departure workshops before traveling to the U.S. to start your adventure as an au pair.

To be an au pair in the USA, you need to be between 18 and 26 years old and a secondary school graduate (or the equivalent). Cultural Care au pairs must have at least 200 hours of childcare experience and a driver’s license (or the ability to get one). You should be able to have a simple conversation in English and, above all, be excited about spending a year abroad with an American family!

Yes, all Cultural Care au pairs must have a valid driver's license from their home country to be accepted onto our program. If you don’t have one right now, we recommend that you register and complete the rest of your profile while you work towards earning your license. Once you’ve passed your driving test and your profile is complete, you can start matching with families.

First, we have 35+ years of experience and the largest number of host families to choose from. (Your perfect match is waiting for you at Cultural Care!) Our insurance coverage is the most comprehensive around, and we have support staff in 3 U.S. offices and local representatives in 48 states who want to help you have an incredible experience. We offer online support sessions, fun in-person events and an Au Pair Ambassador community that au pairs are invited to join during their time in the U.S. and stay part forever. For even more on why Cultural Care is the most popular choice for au pairs, explore our website and follow us on our social media channels @culturalcare.

Cultural Care does have male au pairs, and they make excellent caregivers for their American host kids! It often takes longer for them to find a host family match, however, and there are times when we recommend our male applicants delay their plans to join our program due to a high volume of interest. Be in touch with your local office to learn more.