The Collective Public Policy Voice of the Exchange Community

Au Pair Program

The Au Pair Program, a category within the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA (also known as the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP)), has been promoting daily cultural exchange in American homes for more than 30 years. Through the Au Pair Program, participants and host families take part in a mutually rewarding, intercultural opportunity. Each year, au pairs care for over 50,000 children across 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Recently, there have been a number of efforts to strengthen the Au Pair program, such as a bill that would include Au Pair as a reimbursable expense for active duty families. There are also some challenges, including efforts to reclassify this Federal cultural exchange program into a domestic worker program, as well as a recent moratorium on program growth.

Please see below for key resources relating to these efforts, including actions taken by the Alliance to support and strengthen the Au Pair program.

Program & Policy Updates

Au Pair Program Clarifying Regulation

Background: On October 30, 2023, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the Department of State (DOS) released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) outlining significant regulatory changes to the federal au pair cultural exchange program. These...

Au Pairs are Essential During Pandemic and Beyond

As published in Medium on September 14, 2020. Families are managing challenges with their children going back to school in a world that certainly looks different than it did last September. Many school districts have returned to classes virtually and parents continue...