Au Pair Guide
&
Answers to Common Questions
Cassie Cortese,
Local Childcare Coordinator
West Chester, PA
Cassandra.Cortese@lcc.culturalcare.com
610-719-6064
CONTENTS
Immigration documents
3
Traveling Outside the U.S.
4
Health Insurance
5
Social Security Number
7
Driver’s License
8
Educational Component
9
Deposits
12
Extensions
14
Final Notes
15
2
IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS
What if I need to replace my passport or J-1 visa?
Passports are issued by your home country. To replace a passport, you should contact your home country's
embassy. You can find links to all the embassies for Cultural Care recruitment countries at my website
(http://ccortese.aupairnews.com). If a passport is lost, travel outside the U.S. during your year is restricted
unless you return to your home country to get a replacement visa. Only the passport--not the J-1 visa--can be
replaced in the U.S.
What is a DS-2019 form? Do I need to replace it at any time? How?
The DS-2019 form is printed on regular white paper and has a bar code on it. The heading at the top is
Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. It is the form used to verify that you have a legal visa to
be in the United States (it is NOT your visa, but it shows that you do have legal status and you must have this
with your other immigration documents). If you have lost this form, it has been stolen or you have changed
addresses here in the US, you must replace this form! To replace lost or damaged DS-2019 forms, you can
request a new form online by logging into your Cultural Care account. Once you’ve logged in, you can find the
online request form by going to the InfoSource section and looking under Visa Forms. If you cannot access this
form for any reason, you should contact Operations at Cultural Care at 1-800-448-5753 or email them at
aupair.operations@culturalcare.com to make your request.
What is the I-94 card? Do I need to replace it at any time? How?
The I-94 card is the small white card you filled out on the plane while traveling to the US. When you went
through immigration at the airport, the customs officer stapled it or put it in your passport. It should be kept
with your passport and DS-2019 form. It will be collected by the immigration officer when you leave the
country and you must have it so the US can officially record your departure. You could have problems
obtaining a future US visa without this card.
To replace an I-94 card, you must contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – www.uscis.gov.
You need to file the form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Non immigrant Arrival-Departure Document in
order to get a new I-94. You may incur a fee of about $300 to replace the card. Please check the website below
for further details regarding this.
All USCIS forms are available by submitting a request online, or by calling 1-800-870-3676. Please refer to the
following
web
address
for
further
information
about
replacing
the
I-94
card:
www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-102.htm
If your documents are lost or stolen, you must replace them immediately. All replacement costs are YOUR
responsibility!!!
Make copies of all important documents!!!
3
TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE U.S. DURING YOUR YEAR
What do I need to do if I want to travel outside of the U.S.?
You may travel outside of the United States during your 12 month stay. In order to be assured that you will be
allowed re-entry into the US following your trip, you must send your DS-2019 form to Cultural Care in Boston to
have it signed by a Responsible Officer. You should also include a note indicating the departure dates, as well
as a self-addressed stamped envelope. You should allow 3 to 4 weeks for processing.
What if I forget to send my form in early?
If you forget and need to send it less than 3 weeks from your departure date, you should send it through Federal
Express or US Postal Service Priority Mail. You should also include a pre-paid return FedEx or Priority Mail
envelope, so your form can be returned to you promptly. If you do not send along a pre-paid envelope, Cultural
Care will charge you the appropriate cost of sending it back to you ($10 if sending it to a US address, $20 if
sending it overseas.) This fee is payable by check or credit card.
Where do I send the form?
The DS-2019 form should be sent to:
Cultural Care Au Pair
ATTN: Travel Validation
1 Education St.
Cambridge, MA 02141
Can I travel any time I want to during the year?
Please note! Cultural Care does not recommend traveling outside of the US during the last 2 months of the
year. While technically you have a valid visa and should not have any problems getting back into the country,
sometimes immigration officers question why you are traveling outside of the country so close to the expiration
date of your visa.
What if I am traveling to Canada or Mexico? Do I still need to do this?
Previously, au pairs did not need to send the DS-2019 form in if they were traveling to Canada or Mexico. While
this has not changed, some au pairs have had trouble at the border because the form was not signed.
Therefore, it is advisable that you send in the DS-2019 form, even when traveling to Canada or Mexico. Many au
pairs from countries outside of Western Europe are required to obtain a tourist visa to visit Canada, Mexico, and
the Caribbean. You should contact the closest embassy of the country or countries you plan to visit for
information and visa applications. If you travel without the appropriate documents, you may be denied re-entry
into the U.S. and may be prohibited from boarding the plane.
Can I travel to another country in my 13th month?
You may not travel outside of the U.S. during your 13th month. Your J-1 visa does not permit this. If you leave
the continental U.S. during this month, you will not be allowed to come back in the country. Cultural Care has
no authority to change or alter this rule, as it is a US government regulation. The only exception to this rule is if
you travel to Hawaii; you do have permission to travel to Hawaii.
What if I have an emergency back home and have to leave right away?
If this situation arises, send your DS-2019 form via Overnight Delivery to the address listed above. Make sure to
also include your travel dates and your address in your home country, so that the Operations staff can get your
form to you in your home country before you leave to return to the U.S.
What will happen if I travel outside the U.S. without my form?
You will most likely be allowed back into the U.S., but your visa status will be changed to a 30-day tourist visa.
You will be given the form I-515A by the immigration officer at the port of entry. You will need to complete this
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form and send it along with her original DS-2019 form and her original I-94 card to U.S. Customs and
Immigration Services. This process usually takes approximately 4-6 weeks. You should always contact the
Boston office if they traveled without the DS-2019 form and have received the form I-515A. You may be
charged over $100 to have your status changed back. This would be your responsibility to pay.
If you have further questions regarding travel, please call Account Services at 1-800-333-6056. They will be able
to answer you more quickly and accurately in regards to your specific situation.
HEALTH INSURANCE
I need to see a doctor. What do I do?
Your insurance provider, Erika Travel Insurance, is now a member of the AETNA Student Health Insurance
network. This means that if you need to see a doctor at any point, you can visit any doctor who works with this
insurance provider. It is quite a large network, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a doctor to meet your
needs. If you choose to see a doctor that is NOT part of the AETNA network, you should expect to pay a higher
deductible.
Do I need to pay money to see a doctor? How much?
You are required to pay a deductible for every doctor or hospital visit. This means you must pay some amount
of money when you visit someone for medical care. The amount you pay is based on which health insurance
plan you have.
All au pairs have the Basic Policy. This is provided as part of the program. However, some au pairs do choose to
pay an extra amount for the Extended Policy. This is up to you whether you choose to purchase this or not.
BASIC POLICY DEDUCTIBLE: $65 for Aetna providers; $95 for non-Aetna providers
EXTENDED POLICY DEDUCTIBLE: $35 for Aetna providers; $65 for non-Aetna providers
How do I find a doctor?
To find a doctor near you who is part of the Aetna network of providers, go to my website at
http://ccortese.aupairnews.com/. Scroll down and look for “Medical Information” along the right side of the
page. Under that heading, choose the link for “Find A Doctor.” Once you’ve opened the page, click the “Enter
DocFind” button. This will take you to a search page. Enter your zip code, select “Medical Provider” under
Category, choose the type of doctor you want to see under Type and under “Plan,” select “Student Health.”
After you submit, you should get a list of several doctors to pick from. Ask your host family to help you select a
doctor; perhaps their regular health care provider is listed and you could see them.
Does my plan also cover dental visits?
The basic insurance plan does not cover dental work. The extended plan covers necessary dental work up to
$200.
What is the difference between basic and extended insurance?
For the most up-to-date information regarding your insurance coverage, please visit www.erikainsurance.com.
This will give you the most information. You were also provided with a policy booklet before your departure
and you should also refer to this if you have questions. As of the most recent update (April 2007), you get the
following benefits:
BASIC POLICY (No cost to you—this is provided for you automatically)
$65 deductible for Aetna providers, $95 for non-Aetna providers
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$150 deductible for emergency room visits, in addition to the standard deductible ($65 or $95)
Medical expenses covered up to $50,000
Home repatriation up to $7500
No dental coverage
EXTENDED POLICY (Can be purchased for an additional fee; see details below)
You may choose to purchase this policy if you wish. It is not required and is completely up to you. If you didn’t
buy the policy in your home country, you still have the option to pay for it within the first month you are here
for an additional $465. You must contact Account Services to find out more about this.
$35 deductible for Aetna providers; $95 deductible for non-Aetna providers
$50 deductible for emergency room visits, in addition to the standard deductible ($35 or $95)
Unlimited medical coverage
Coverage for baggage or property loss
Coverage for legal costs
Dental expenses up to $200 (necessary dental work—does not include routine cleanings)
INSURANCE FOR YOUR EXTENSION YEAR
If you are planning to stay an additional 6, 9 or 12 months, you are again automatically covered under the Basic
Policy. You do have the option of purchasing the Extended Policy, but this must be done prior to the start of
your second year. Your fees for this will vary depending on the length of time you will stay.
12 month extension = $475
9 month extension = $370
6 month extension = $250
To purchase this, you will need to fill out the Extension Year Insurance form and submit that and your payment
to the Operations Department. You can also pay over the phone with a credit or debit card by calling 1-800448-5753.
Do I need to pay any money right away?
This can vary from doctor to doctor. Some will require you to pay only your deductible, others will bill you so
you can pay later, some may require you to pay the full amount and then submit a claim form. This means you
will get your money (minus the deductible) paid back to you. It would be a good idea to check with the doctor’s
office staff when scheduling an appointment. Keep all of your receipts, bills and any other documentation
regarding your visit!!! If you must file a claim, only YOU can fill out the form. Claim forms are available to print
out from your Au Pair account at http://www.culturalcare.com.
Am I covered during my 13th month?
If you plan to stay for your 13th month, you will not be covered under an insurance plan automatically. Cultural
Care strongly suggests that you purchase an additional month of insurance if you plan to stay and travel, should
anything happen to you. To purchase an additional month of insurance, send a check or money order to the
Cultural Care Operations Department, including a note with your name and stating that the check is for
additional 13th month insurance. This can be purchased up to two weeks prior to the end of your program year.
If you do not purchase it and you stay, please know that you will not be insured and any medical costs you incur
could be quite expensive and will be your responsibility to pay.
What should I or my host family do in case I am badly injured?
If you are seriously hurt, are sent to the hospital or require surgery, I need to be contacted right away. I will also
need to contact Cultural Care right away as well. For Germans and Austrians the emergency contact number is
Ineter Partner at 800-847-3948. All other Nationalities will call Euro
6
Assistance at 800-871-9211.
If you have more questions…
For more information on coverage, refer to your Erika Travel Insurance General Conditions booklet. If you have
questions about the policy, you should contact Chickering directly at 1-800-783-7447. Cultural Care staff is not
trained to answer these questions.
For non-emergency insurance issues, contact Cultural Care.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
What is a Social Security number and why do I need one?
A Social Security number is a U.S. government-issued identification number. You will need this to obtain a
Pennsylvania Driver’s License. Some banks may also require you to have one when you open a bank account.
There is no cost in obtaining this number.
How do I apply for one?
You will need to take the following items to a Social Security Administration office:

A completed Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5), available for download at the S.S.A.
website (http://www.ssa.gov).

Your passport

Your DS-2019 form

Your I-94 form

Letter of Participation from your au pair account. You can print this yourself.
Where do I go to apply?
You must apply in person with all the above documents at a Social Security Administration office. There are
several locations throughout the state. **You may be asked to wait 10 days after arriving in the country to
apply for a Social Security Number.**
SOCIAL SECURITY
1101 WEST CHESTER PIKE
WEST CHESTER, PA 19382
MONDAY - FRIDAY:09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Except Federal Holidays
If you do not know how to get there, use an online site such as www.mapquest.com, maps.google.com or
something similar to find driving directions. Your host family should also be able to assist you in getting where
you need to go.
FROM NORTH OR SOUTH USING RT 202, TAKE THE PA ROUTE 3 EXIT
FOR NEWTOWN SQUARE. AT THE 2ND TRAFFIC LIGHT, TURN LEFT
INTO THE WEST GOSHEN TOWN CENTER (APPLEBEE'S AND SHOP RITE)
AND MAKE FIRST LEFT. FOLLOW ROAD BEHIN D APPLEBEE'S. BEAR
LEFT AT THE STOP SIGN. OFFICE FACES WEST CHESTER PK. FROM THE
7
EAST, TAKE PA ROUTE 3 TO THE WEST GOSHEN TOWN CENTER WHICH
IS 3 MILES WEST OF RT 352. MAKE RIGHT TURN INTO SHOPPING
CENTER AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS ABOVE.
DRIVER’S LICENSES
Can I drive in PA with my Foreign License?
Non-U.S. Citizens are defined as Immigrants (Resident Aliens), Non-Immigrants (Non-U.S. Citizens
granted temporary entry into the U.S.), Refugees and Asylees. If you hold a valid driver’s license from
France or Germany you may transfer your valid driver’s license to a PA Non-Commercial Driver’s License.
If you hold a valid driver’s license from a Canadian province or territory you may transfer a valid noncommercial
driver’s license to a PA Non-Commercial Driver’s License and a valid CDL to a PA CDL. If you hold a valid foreign
driver’s license with a valid International Driving Permit you may drive up to one year in Pennsylvania before
obtaining a PA Driver’s License. Pennsylvania law requires Non-U.S. Citizens to provide a Social Security number
unless you have written documentation from the Social Security Administration that you are not eligible for the
number.
Many car insurance companies also require that drivers be licensed in the state, but this can vary and it’s best to
discuss with your host family.
If you plan to extend your time in the United States and plan to stay in PA, you will need to
apply for a PA license in order to drive during your extension year.
What must I do to get licensed?
What kind of tests must I take? What do I need to take with me?
After you have your SS number, you need to get a medical physical done. Print out this form and see a doctor
to confirm that you are in good health. http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/dl_forms/dl-180.pdf . Visit the
how to find an Aetna doctor link on my home page for physicican information.
You must then
obtain a Driver’s Permit, which requires you to pass a written exam. This exam tests your
knowledge of driving laws. The test will be multiple-choice, which means you must select the correct answer
out of the given possible answers. All material that you will be tested on is taken from the Pennsylvania state
driver’s manual. You can download a copy of this at www.dmv.pa.gov or pick up a booklet from the
Department of Motor Vehicles office. You can also find some sample questions on the site as well. The permit
test is administered in English or Spanish. You may not bring anyone along to translate for you.
In addition to taking the written permit test, you will also be required to take a vision test, pay a fee and provide
the following documentation:




Passport
Social Security Card
Letter of Participation (from your Au Pair account)
A bank statement or some “official” mail that shows proof of your Delaware residency
Once you have successfully obtained your Driver’s Permit, you must wait 10 days until you can test for your
license. To successfully obtain a license at this time, you must take a road test with a DMV employee. S/he will
rate your driving skills and observance of driving laws and determine whether you pass or fail. You will want to
schedule this test in advance as there is sometimes a long wait. The scheduling number is: 1-800-423-5542.
What if I don’t pass either the written or driving test?
8
If you fail any part of the exam, you must repeat the test. The DMV will tell you when you may take the test
again. There is a waiting period.
EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT
What is the educational component? What do I need to do?
The State Department requires that all au pairs complete six academic credits or the equivalent (72 non-credit
hours) in order to successfully complete the program. You must complete this requirement by registering for
classes at a community college or university. I recommend that you begin thinking about these courses
immediately. If you wait until the last minute, it is often difficult for you to complete the requirement as classes
can fill up or be cancelled. If you plan to extend you MUST have your educational requirement completed by the
end of your 11th month! Even if you are not planning to extend, this is a good guideline to follow. Your course
must be taken at an accredited post-secondary institution. Before enrolling, please make sure
that your institution is still accredited. Online courses will NOT be accepted. Cultural Care
Au Pair will not release your deposit and/or book your return flight unless you have
completed your educational requirement and attended 10 out of 12 meetings.
What is the difference between a credit and a non-credit course?

Credit Course: Generally any course that is offered to a full time student which a school has assigned a
set credit value that the student will receive upon completion. Cultural Care will count the credits that the
school assigned to the course.

Non-Credit Course: A non-credit course is a course that a school has not assigned a set credit value to.
These are usually offered through the community or continuing education departments of colleges and
universities. Cultural Care will count the classroom hours of the course since no credits are assigned to the
course and go by the educational standard that 12 hours = 1 credit.

Auditing Courses: Some schools allow students to take a credit course, but the student can elect not to
receive a grade or be awarded transferable credits. This is usually referred to as auditing a course and some
schools allow auditing for discounted rates. Not all schools allow people to audit courses and it is often at the
discretion of the teacher and based on space available. If an au pair chooses to audit a course, Cultural Care will
count the credits that the school assigns the class (even though the au pair is not being graded or actually
receiving transferable credit.) Au pairs cannot count hours for an audited class that has credits assigned by the
school.
How much do I have to pay for this?
Your host family is required to pay up to $500 to help you complete your credits. It is important to keep this in
mind when choosing a course to take. If you choose to take a very expensive class and only receive 3 credits for
it, it will be up to you to pay to complete the other 3 credits. If your course is 6 credits, but costs $500 and there
are books you are required to have, you will need to pay for the books. Any costs over the $500 limit will be your
responsibility. Find out the cost before you register—some classes can be quite expensive!!!
What kind of courses must I take?
You can take any course that you want, provided that it is a course that will give you credits or hours
towards the completion of your requirements. Many au pairs opt to take English as a Second
Language course to help improve their English. Other au pairs have taken other languages, law
courses, art courses…whatever you are interested in! Make sure to contact the school first to see if
this course is right for you before you register or pay for it!
Where can I take classes?
9
There are many schools where you can take courses; some schools have campuses in different parts of the
state, so be sure that the course you are interested is offered at the campus closest to you. Please check the
group website http://ccortese.aupairnews.com/ for updates on and links to educational options. The most
popular option in this area is:
Delaware Community College
www.dccc.edu
Are there weekend courses I can take?
Yes! Right now, there are two options for weekend courses. There may be more to come in the future!
♦ CW Post Campus of Long Island University
720 Northern Boulevard
Brookville, New York 11548
516-299-2359
This is a special weekend program for au pairs. At each session, au pairs arrive on Friday evening at 5:00pm and
conclude on Sundays by 4:00pm. The cost is approx. $300 and includes tuition, room, meals and class
materials. Classes offered include: American Culture, American History, Computer Studies and a TOEFL
Preparation Course.
For class description, information and registration forms go to:
www.cwpost.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/aupair.
♦ SILVER BAY
Silver Bay is a weekend camp for au pairs located on the scenic banks of beautiful Lake George, New York. (The
courses are sponsored by The College of Saint Rose.) It’s offered multiple weekends a year and features a
variety of fun activities and workshops. It’s a terrific way to meet other au pairs from around the country. Each
weekend costs about $250 and earns you 3 credits.
For more information go to
www.culturalcare.com/silverbay or contact:
Mike D’Attilio
dattilim@strose.edu
(518)454-5115 ext.7114.
What if I don’t complete all six credits?
Not completing your credits can have severe consequences. First of all (and, to many au pairs, most
importantly), the deposit you paid back home will not be returned to you, as you did not fulfill all the
requirements of the program. You will also not be allowed the option to extend for an extra 6, 9 or 12 months if
that was something you were considering. Please note that even if you did not pay a deposit, you are still
required to complete the Educational Component and attend your au pair meetings as these are part of the
State Department Regulations. Not complying with these regulations could result in immediate termination of
your au pair year and you having to book your own return flight home. Again, if you plan to extend, you MUST
complete this requirement by the end of your 11th month.
How will I get to my classes?
Taking a class is considered being “on-duty.” Therefore, your host family needs to allow you access to a car (if
you are normally allowed to use a car), or they must be willing to drive you there or make other arrangements
to get you there. Please discuss how you will get to class with your host family before you sign up! If you plan
to take a class that takes place in another state (such as one of the weekend course options), it is your
responsibility to figure out how to get there as Cultural Care does not provide transportation for this. If you
10
have used up your $500 allotment from your host family, you will also be financially responsible for your own
transportation to this location (such as bus, train, plane, gas expenses).
DEPOSITS
Why did I pay money before I came?
Unless you are from South Africa, you paid a deposit in your home country that will be refunded to you at the
end of your year if you successfully complete all requirements of the au pair program. The amount you paid
may vary from your friends from other countries. The deposit amount depends on the structure of that
country.
What must I do to make sure I get my money back?
To get your deposit back, you must complete the following requirements:

Stay 12 months as an au pair or 12 months plus the agreed extension period.

Attend 10 out of 12 monthly meetings. If you miss more than that, it is up to your LCC to determine if
you had valid reasons for missing so many meetings.

Fill out the Program Completion Form. You can do this online yourself from your Au Pair account. I
will still have to verify that all information on the form is correct before Cultural Care will authorize release of
your deposit. You should do this the month before you leave, so we have time to process it.
Can I get my money back while I’m in the US or do I wait until I get home?
If you are from a country that allows you to either get the deposit back in the US or in their home country,
you will need to fill out the Authorization of Agreement: Deposit Refund Form with your bank information
and send it to Operations before you go back home. You have two options and you must indicate your choice
by completing the appropriate section of this form:


You may choose to have the deposit returned in your home country via bank transfer (usually no fee
applies), or;
You may choose to get the deposit back in the U.S. via bank transfer. A minimal service fee applies for
U.S. bank transfers (usually $5-10). The deposit money will be transferred approximately two weeks
before the program or extension period is up, as long as Operations has received the above forms. A
voided check must be attached to the form if the deposit is to be transferred into a checking account.
The finance department will not transfer any money without proper authorization and evidence of a
valid bank account. If the au pair does not have checks OR if the au pairs wants the deposit transferred
into a savings account he/she will need to provide a letter from his/her bank stating the au pair’s name,
the account number, and the routing/ABA number. If the au pair does not have a personal bank
account, the deposit may be transferred into a bank account of the host family or a friend. Cultural Care
Au pair does not assume any responsibility for ensuring that the au pair will receive the deposit from
the host family or friend and cannot retransfer the deposit.
Special information for au pairs recruited through agents:
In countries where Cultural Care has agents, there are special arrangements with these refunds. Agent au pairs
can get the deposit back in the U.S. for only a $5 fee. They may have to pay a bank transfer fee to get the
deposit back in their home country. We recommend all agent au pairs to get their deposits back in the US.
Special information for Australian au pairs:
If you are from Australia, you have the option to use your deposit to cover your return flight home. You must
choose either the flight or the deposit—you will not get both. This information is detailed in the letter
accompanying your flight request form. In some cases Australian au pairs choose to fly to Europe after their au
pair year. In this situation, you will receive a flight to Europe and the difference in cost ($250) between the
European flight ticket and the deposit will be refunded to you.
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Special Information for au pairs from Germany:
If you are from Germany and you are completing your au pair program on or after October 1, 2008, you will no
longer have the option to receive the deposit in the U.S. Upon successful completion of your program, you will
only be able to receive your deposit back in your German bank account (approximately 2 weeks prior to end of
your year provided that all forms have been received on time). You will also be asked to provide their German
bank account information online.
Special information for au pairs from Russia, Poland, Romania, Moldova, Thailand, Ukraine, and ALL of
Latin America:
If you are from any of the above countries, you CANNOT receive your deposit back while in the U.S. You may
request it once you have returned to your home country by contacting your local office and presenting the
boarding pass from your return flight as proof that you have returned home. The deposit must be requested no
later than 2 months after the end of your au pair year. If you are from the above countries and you do not return
to your home country after the 13th month, you will forfeit your deposit.
Special information for South African au pairs:
If you are from South Africa, you did not pay a deposit. You paid a flight fee, which is only refunded in case you
could not be placed and therefore did not travel. Once you confirm the final match with a host family, this flight
fee becomes non-refundable.
EXTENSION AU PAIRS
How long can I stay during my extension time?
Au pairs have the option to stay in the United States for an additional 6, 9 or 12 months, provided that they
have satisfactorily completed their first year. They may choose to stay with the same family or they may
choose to go with a new family.
How long do I have to decide if I want to do this? Do I need to pay anything?
If you choose to extend with your current family, you must submit your extension application online 60 days
prior to the end of your first year. If you are extending with a new family, you must apply online by 75 days prior
to the end your first year and you must be placed with a family by 45 days prior to the end of your year. If you or
your host family misses the deadlines mentioned, it still may be possible to extend and you should contact the
Extension Program Director.
You must pay a $246 Extension Processing Fee, a non-refundable payment due when sending in Extension
Enrollment paperwork.
Must I complete another 6 credits if I extend?
If you are extending for 9 or 12 months, you must take 6 credits during your extension program term, and your
host family is responsible for up to $500. If you extend for 6 months, you must take 3 credits during your
extension program term and your host family is responsible for up to $250. You may not "carry over" extra
educational credits earned from their first year into their extension term.
How much vacation time do I get?
9- & 12-month extension au pairs receive two weeks (14 days) of paid and 6-month extension au pairs receive
one week (7 days) of paid vacation during their extension.
Can I travel outside of the U.S. during my extension period?
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Extension au pairs can travel to Mexico, Canada and the adjacent islands without having to renew their J1 visa
first. Au pairs can travel outside of the continental U.S. during their second year as long as they travel to the US
embassy in their home country to renew their J1 visa before attempting to re-enter the US. Au pairs should
contact the Operations Team immediately if they are thinking about traveling.
You may travel to your home country during the second year. Embassy posts around the world have been
informed about the second year extension program for au pair participants. However, please note the
following items:
▪
If you wish to travel to your home country and to return to the United States, you must have your J-1
visa renewed while at home before attempting to resume participation in the program in the United States. If
you do not renew your J-1 visa, you risk the possibility of not being allowed to re-enter the United States. You
would then not be able to continue the program.
▪
Be aware that it can sometimes take six to eight weeks to obtain an appointment to renew a J-1 visa at
U.S. embassies around the world. You must schedule appointments for J-1 visa renewals well in advance of your
travel dates as waiting times for appointments vary greatly depending on time of year and demand at specific
U.S. embassy posts. Cultural Care recommends contacting the U.S. embassy no later than six to eight weeks
before traveling home.
Contact information for U.S. Embassies abroad can be found at
http://usembassy.state.gov/.
▪
Cultural Care Au Pair is not able to book appointments at the U.S. embassy on your behalf and has no
ability to affect scheduling appointments at the U.S. embassy in any way.
▪
Cultural Care Au Pair cannot guarantee the renewal of a J-1 visa. Although you may have been
approved by the U.S. Department of State to participate in the extension program, the decision to renew the
visa is at the discretion of the consular officer who interviews you.
▪
In order to renew the J-1 visa, you must bring the proper documentation with you to the U.S. embassy
in your home country. You must bring your passport and the original copy of the DS-2019 form renewed by
Cultural Care Au Pair at the time of enrollment in the second year extension program. The DS-2019 form will
reflect the dates of your second year. Cultural Care Au Pair will also provide you with a letter of good standing
and a copy of the U.S. Department of State cable regarding the second year extension program.
▪
In addition, you will need to complete and bring forms DS156 and DS158. Male au pairs have to
complete a third form as well, which is form DS157. Form DS156 can be filled out online and then printed. It is
available at www.evisaforms.state.gov. Forms DS157 and DS158 are available to be downloaded and printed at
www.visapro.com/Department-State-Forms.asp.
Please contact Account Services if you have any questions about this before you make any travel
arrangements!!!
Final Notes
Please refer to this booklet first if you have any basic questions. You could save yourself a lot of time!
When in doubt, ask your host family. If they don’t know, ask your LCC! If your LCC doesn’t know or can’t help,
call Account Services at 800-333-6056 press 4! Always ask if you are unsure about ANYTHING!
Check my website for more of this and other useful information –http://ccortese.aupairnews.com/.
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Be positive, be open-minded, be flexible and have a WONDERFUL year!!!!
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