Want to know when you can depart or what type of visa you will be issued with? All your questions are answered here.

Deadlines and departures
You can fly to America any week of the year except for December, so you can choose the date that suits you the best. We recommend that you apply at least three or four months before you want to travel so we have enough time to find you the perfect host family and apply for your visa.

Departure cities
Cultural Care Au Pair's flights to the USA leave from Sydney and Melbourne. If you live in another part of the country you will need to make your own way to either Sydney or Melbourne to meet your international flight.

Visa and health certificate
Cultural Care Au Pair is authorised by the US government to issue a J-1 exchange visitor visa valid for one year. There is also an opportunity for you to extend your stay by a further six, nine or 12 months, which can be arranged towards the end of your year in America.

We require a Cultural Care Au Pair Health Certificate completed by your doctor, as well as a criminal background check from the Australian Federal Police. We provide all the necessary forms and will help you complete them. Please note that fees charged in relation to these documents will be your responsibility. Please see our fee page for a full outline of all fees.

Educational Component
All au pairs and host families must abide by the educational component, mandated by the US State Department. As an au pair, you must earn at least six academic credits or its equivalent (72-90 hours) at an accredited post-secondary institution. Your host family will assist you in enrolling in and attending your classes, and they will pay up to US$500 towards the cost of your classes. This is a really fun component of the Cultural Care Au Pair program allowing you make American friends from your college!

Deposit and completion bonus
Cultural Care Au Pair holds a deposit on your behalf which is returned to you upon the successful completion of your program. You will receive your deposit back in the form of your flight home after you complete your 12 months as an au pair and fulfill your educational component. If you choose to return home early or if you fail to complete the education component, you will lose your deposit, insurance, J1 visa and be responsible for the cost of your flight home.

Cancellation insurance
Cultural Care Au Pair's cancellation insurance covers you if you are unable to become an au pair due to:
a) Illness;
b) Death or serious illness of a family member; or
c) If you enroll in a course of study that lasts for one year or longer.
With this insurance, any fees paid will be refunded to you, minus the cancellation insurance premium.