How to become an au pair in United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has 21 different programs for the different au pair citizenships.
Choose here which programs you want to see and compare.
prerequisites for au pairs
Student World | Free Movement EU/EEA/CH | Youth mobility Turks and Caicos Islands |
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age | The applicant must be 16 or over to apply for a student visa. The maximum age is not defined. Note: On behalf of the work as an au pair the minimum age is 18 for
(Pls see Immigration Rules, paragraphs 245ZV - 245ZY). | 17 to 30 | 18 to 30 | ||
language skills | When applying for a student visa, one needs to prove one's knowledge of the English language when applying. This usually means passing a secure English language test (SELT). Refer to Tier 4 visa knowledge of English Please note that the test needs to be from an approved provider. | An au pair can prove one's knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test with at least CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening | |||
education | Some host families may want to have an au pair who has first aid training, but that is a preference, not a requirement. Au pairs are NOT a substitute for qualified nursing assistance for families who require that service for themselves or children . | ||||
marital status | There are no restrictions found on the marital status regarding the work as an au pair. In generally your family members (dependents) might be able to apply, to join or remain with you in the UK if they’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. |
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children | Regarding the work as an au pair there have been found no restsrictions about the au pair being childless or not. But: Student visa holders may apply to bring a dependent to the UK if they’re:
Recommendation: In case the au pair wants to bring a dependent to the UK to stay with him / her that should be negotiated with the host family. | not relevant | The au pair cannot apply for a visa if he or she has:
this is stipulated at this U.K government site |
prerequisites for families
Student World | Free Movement EU/EEA/CH | Youth mobility Turks and Caicos Islands |
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definition of family |
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languages of family |
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citizenship of family | Generally at least 1 member of the host family has U.K. Citizenship |
prerequisites for agencies
Student World | Free Movement EU/EEA/CH | Youth mobility Turks and Caicos Islands |
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agency support | Find more information for au pairs and host families on the British Au Pair Agencies Association website. This link is from Gov.UK |
other restrictions
Student World | Free Movement EU/EEA/CH | Youth mobility Turks and Caicos Islands |
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other restrictions | An au pair must register with Ofsted or a childminder agency if the au pair wants to be paid to look after children under 8 for more than 2 hours a day in England - unless you’re exempt. There are 2 registers.
The Early Years Register is for children from birth up to the 31 August after their fifth birthday. An au pair must be on the Childcare Register to look after children after that, up to their eighth birthday. An au pair can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison or both if childminding or daycare services are provided without being registered. For more information about the process of registering process with Ofsted or a childminder agency please visit the homepage of Gov.UK, section "Register as a childminder or childcare provider (England)". Important: There are different rules for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Note: The registering usually takes up to:
So registering should be done before starting to work as an au pair. |

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