Au-Pair Visa: Everything You Need to Know

Do I Need a Visa as an Au-Pair?

Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and destination country. On this page, we give you an overview of the most important visa regulations for au-pairs worldwide.

AuPairMatch has a built-in visa checker: as soon as you create your profile, the platform automatically shows you whether you need a visa for your desired country and what steps are required.

EU Citizens Within the EU

If you're an EU citizen and want to become an au-pair in another EU country, you don't need a visa. You can enter freely and register locally. In some countries, you need to register at the local registration office.

This also applies to citizens of the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland.

Non-EU Citizens to Germany

If you're not an EU citizen and want to come to Germany as an au-pair, you typically need an au-pair visa. Exceptions apply to nationals of certain countries (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and the USA), who can enter visa-free and apply for a residence permit directly in Germany.

Requirements for the German Au-Pair Visa

  • Age: 18–26 years
  • Basic German skills (at least A1)
  • Valid au-pair contract with a host family
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Clean criminal record

Processing time is 4 to 12 weeks. Plan early — at least 3 months before departure.

USA: J-1 Au-Pair Program

Special rules apply in the USA. An au-pair stay is only possible there through the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa — and this visa may only be applied for through an agency approved by the US State Department (a so-called "designated sponsor").

Requirements for the au-pair: 18–26 years old, childcare experience, good English skills, completed secondary schooling.

Other Popular Destination Countries

  • United Kingdom: Since Brexit, EU citizens need a visa. The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa applies to some nationalities.
  • France: EU citizens don't need a visa. Non-EU citizens need a Long-Stay Visa with a Convention d'Accueil.
  • Australia: The Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417/462) is often used for au-pair stays. Age: 18–30/35 depending on nationality.
  • Canada: International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday Permit. Places are limited and allocated by lottery.

The AuPairMatch Visa Checker

You don't have to research all of this yourself. AuPairMatch automatically shows you visa requirements as soon as you create your profile and select a destination country. Our system considers your nationality, age, and destination country.

Create your profile now and use the built-in visa checker.