Polityka i handel międzynarodowy · 12/10/2007

Exchange Visitor Program-Au Pair Requirements

As a component of its Public Diplomacy and people to people exchanges, the Department of State oversees the Au pair Program whereby foreign nationals are afforded the opportunity to live with an American host family and participate directly in the home life of the host family. All au pair participants provide child care services to the host family and attend a U.S. post-secondary educational institution. Au pair participants provide up to forty-five hours of child care services per week and pursue not less than six semester hours of academic credit or its equivalent during their year of program participation. Some au pairs participate in the EduCare program. These au pairs provide up to thirty hours of child care services per week and pursue not less than twelve semester hours of academic credit or its equivalent during their year of program participation. Approximately 15,000 foreign nationals begin participation in this program each year. In February 2004, the Department announced a pilot program whereby Department designated au pair sponsors could request the extension of program participation beyond the original 12-month maximum period afforded au pair participants. In June of