A general guide explaining what Immigration Rules say about au pairs

 

What is an Au pair placement?

An au pair placement is an arrangement where a single person aged from 17-27 (inclusive) comes to the UK to study English and lives for up to two years as a member of an English speaking family.

The au pair helps in the house for a maximum of 5 hours per day, with at least two full days off per week (generally weekends). In return she is provided with her own room, full board and a reasonable allowance (no less than £55 per week as by the Immigration Office rules). An au pair is not a domestic servant, but helps with childcare, baby-sitting (maximum of two per week) and light housework.

 

Which countries are included in the au pair scheme?

An au pair must be a national of one of the following countries:

· Andorra

· Bosnia-Herzegovina*

· Bulgaria*

· Croatia*

· The Faeroe Islands 

· Greenland

· The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*

· Monaco

· Romania*

· San Marino

· Turkey*

 

Nationals of the European Economic Area can, of course, enter the United Kingdom to work or study without any restrictions or formalities.

 

* Nationals of these countries have to obtain a visa or entry clearance at the British Consulate before travelling to the UK.

 

Nationals of some non EC countries will need to register with the police within seven days of their arrival to the United Kingdom, this requirement will be stamped in their passports when entering the country. They will require to register at Overseas Visitors Records Office, Brandon House, 180 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LH (if staying in the Metropolitan Police area) or at the local police station. Au airs will have to provide the following: passport, two passport sized photographs and a registration fee (currently £34).

 

The official Immigration Rules and Guidelines are available on the IND website.

 

Who can qualify as an au pair?

An au pair must show that she/he is:

· unmarried

· has no dependants

· does not intend to stay in the UK for more that two years as an au pair

· intends to leave the UK on completion of their stay as an au pair

 

Can the au pair visa be extended?

An au pair can apply to extend her/his stay if:

· she/he were given permission to enter the UK as an au pair AND

· the extension would not take their stay beyond two years from the date they were first given permission to enter.

 

Permission to remain as an au pair will not be granted to anyone who did not enter the United Kingdom as an au pair.

 

                                                                 Hours of work and duties:

An au pair works 25 hours a week (5 hours per day), plus two evenings of baby-sitting. The hours can be arranged according to the requirements of the host family. An au pair is entitled to two full days off and must be allowed adequate time to study, attend English classes and religious services, should she choose to do so.

An au pair’s responsibility is to help with the school aged children and light housework. This normally includes:    

· Taking and collecting from school

· Simple cooking for the children

· Bathing children and putting them to bed

· Playing with the children

· General tidying up after the children

· Washing up

· Vacuum cleaning

· Dusting

· Ironing

 

Au pairs usually leave families if they feel they are being overworked and taken for granted. It is in the interest of a host family to work out the schedule in the form of a written plan and then stick to it.

 

National Insurance and Health issues:

National Insurance contributions are not required for au pairs. Au pairs from the EC countries are eligible for NHS health care. Most non-EC citizens are also eligible for NHS treatment under the reciprocal agreement between the two counties but it is best to check with your local GP or with the relevant Embassy. Check what insurance, if any, your au pair has on her/his arrival. Dental treatment is usually not a part of the NHS. For further information and advice visit the Department of Health.

 

Au pairs and Driving:

Standards of driving vary considerably from country to country so it is recommended that you give your au pair one or two driving lesson to asses her/his driving.

Note that au pairs from some European countries can only drive in the UK for one year before they have to take the UK test, check with the DVLA.

 

 

 

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Last modified on 1 October 2007                                                                                                       

Created and maintained by Claudia Donegan