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This guidance explains what the Immigration Rules say about au pairs. It is only a guide but aims to answer commonly asked questions.
- What is an au pair placement?
- How do I qualify to travel to the UK as an au pair?
- Which countries are included in the au pair scheme?
- Do I need a visa as an au pair?
- What is a visa?
- How do I apply for a visa?
- What do I need to make my application?
- What will happen when I make my application?
- What are public funds?
- Can I move to another host family?
- Can I apply to extend my stay as an au pair?
- Further advice and information
What is an au pair placement?
An au pair placement is an arrangement where a single person between 17 and 27 years of age comes to the United Kingdom (UK) to learn English and:
- Lives for up to two years as a member of an English-speaking family, with appropriate opportunities for study
- Helps in the home for up to five hours a day with at least two full days off a week, in return for a reasonable allowance and their own room
How do I qualify to travel to the UK as an au pair?
You must show that you want to come to the UK on an au pair placement and that you:
- are not married
- have no dependants
- do not plan to stay in the UK for more than two years as an au pair
- can support and accommodate yourself without help from public funds
- plan to leave the UK when you complete your stay as an au pair
Which countries are included in the au pair scheme?
An au pair must be a national of one of the following countries:
| Andorra |
Faroe Islands |
Monaco |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina |
Greenland |
Poland |
| Bulgaria |
Hungary |
Romania |
| Croatia |
Latvia |
San Marino |
| Cyprus |
Lithuania |
Slovak Republic |
| Czech Republic |
Macedonia |
Slovenia |
| Estonia |
Malta |
Turkey |
Although European Economic Area nationals are not included in the au pair scheme, they are free to come to the UK to take au pair placements.
Back to questions
Do I need a visa as an au pair?
Nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Turkey must get a visa before they travel to the United Kingdom.
Back to questions
What is a visa?
A visa is an entry clearance certificate that is placed in your passport or travel document by an Entry Clearance Officer at a British mission overseas. The entry clearance certificate confers leave to enter the UK.
If you have a valid UK visa you will not normally be refused entry to the UK unless your circumstances have changed, or you gave false information or you failed to disclose important facts when you applied for your visa.
When you arrive in the UK, an Immigration Officer may question you, so take all relevant documents in your hand luggage.
Back to questions
How do I apply for a visa?
You will need to complete a visa application form (VAF1 - Non-settlement). You can download the form from this website, or get one free of charge from your nearest UK Overseas Mission where there is a visa section.
You should check with your nearest UK Overseas Mission whether they can deal with your application. If they cannot they will tell you where to apply.
Applications may be made in a variety of ways, for example by post, by courier, in person or online. The visa section will tell you about the ways you can apply.
Back to questions
What will I need to make my application?
You will need:
- a completed
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Application form VAF1 - Non-settlement (PDF, 140K) - a valid passport or travel document
- two recent passport sized photographs (N.B. some visa sections may require three photographs - you can find out more by using the Do I Need a UK Visa? questionnaire)
- the visa fee, which is non-refundable, and must normally be paid in the local currency of the country where you are applying
- a letter of introduction from the host family
In addition to the documents listed above you may be asked for:
- evidence of your financial standing and funds
- evidence of any firm travel plans you have made, such as your ticket or a letter from a travel agent confirming that the cost of your ticket has been deposited
What will happen when I make my application?
The Entry Clearance Officer will check that he or she has all the information that is needed to make a decision. If more information is required you may be asked to return with additional information before your application is accepted.
Back to questions
What are public funds?
The Immigration Rules require that people who wish to travel to the UK as an au pair are able to support and accommodate themselves without claiming certain state benefits. Use the link below to see a list of these:
Public Funds
Back to questions
Can I move to another host family?
You may move to another family as long as the new arrangements continue to meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules.
Back to questions
Can I apply to extend my stay as an au pair?
You can apply to extend your stay as an au pair if:
- you were given permission to enter the UK as an au pair
- you have an au pair placement
- an extension would not take your stay beyond two years from the date you first arrived in the UK
FURTHER ADVICE AND INFORMATION
UKvisas
You can get further advice and guidance about visas from:
UKvisas
LONDON SW1A 2AH
General enquiries: (+44) (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: (+44) (0)20 7008 8308
E-mail: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1006977150196
IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY DIRECTORATE (IND)
You can get further advice and guidance about extending your stay once in the United Kingdom from:
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Immigration and Nationality Directorate |
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road
CROYDON CR9 2BY
General enquiries: (+44) (0)870 606 7766
Application forms: (+44) (0)870 241 0645
E-mail: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
IMMIGRATION ADVISORY SERVICE
The IAS is an independent charity that gives free and confidential advice, assistance and representation to persons who are applying for an entry clearance for the United Kingdom. Their address is:
|
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Immigration Advisory Service |
County House
190 Great Dover Street
LONDON SE1 4YB
Telephone: (+44) (0)20 7967 1200
Duty Office (24 hrs): (+44) (0)20 8814 1559
Fax: (+44) (0)20 7378 0665
E-mail: advice@iasuk.org
AU PAIR AGENCIES
If you want addresses of au pair agencies, please contact:
|
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Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) |
LONDON W1W 7RG
Telephone: (+44) (0)20 7462 3260
Fax: (+44) (0)20 7255 2878
|
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International Au Pair Association (IAPA) |
Bredegade 25 H
DK. 1260 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Telephone: +45 33 33 96 00
Fax: +45 33 93 96 76
(Please send a stamped address label or international reply coupon and say you want addresses of agencies in the United Kingdom)
DRUGS WARNING
The United Kingdom has severe penalties against drug smuggling. Drug traffickers may try to bribe travellers. If you are travelling to the United Kingdom avoid any involvement with drugs.
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE
Advice on importing personal effects and goods into the United Kingdom may be obtained from:
|
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HM Customs and Excise |
Stamford Street
LONDON SE1 9PY
Telephone: (+44) (0)845 010 9000
Website: www.hmce.gov.uk
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