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.
rules & regulations
Student World | Free Movement EU/EEA/CH | Youth mobility Turks and Caicos Islands |
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minimum stay | No restrictions found | |||
maximum stay | Depending on the length of course an au pair entering the UK with a "Tier 4 Student Visa" can stay
For more details hereabout please see "Tier 4 of the points based system: policy guidance" (page 28: How long can a Tier 4 (General) student come to UK?) | 24 months | ||
working hours | An au pair entering the UK wwith a "Tier 4 Student Visa" can in generally work
For more details hereabout please see "Tier 4 of the points based system: policy guidance" (page 26: Student union sabbatical officer, last paragraph) | An au pair usually works up to
with a maximum of 30 hours / week Please visit "Employing someone to work in your home" (section: Au pairs) for more information. An au pair plus may work an
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days off | 2 days/week Please visit "Employing someone to work in your home" (section: Au pairs) for more information. | |||
holidays |
UK Public Holidays: These are included in the recommended holiday and au pairs can either be given the day off or have a day off in lieu as part of their holiday allowance. Pocket money will be paid during this time. The au pair should not be forced to take holidays to coincide with the family holidays. Holidays should be mutually agreed between host family and au pair. | |||
allowed work |
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forbidden work | List of tasks considered unsuitable for an au pair –
*These duties can be included where there is less childcare and the children are out of the house for most of the day, if this is agreed in advance. Which work should and can be done by an au pair? Which work an au pair definitely doesn't have to do? Discuss with others in our community! | |||
pocket money | £70 to £85 | £70 to £85 | ||
board and lodging | Being considered a family member for a defined period of time, the au pair is entitled to his or her own room in the host family's home. The au pair should be given free access to food and drink in the home and share meals with the host family. The au pair continues to be entitled to board and lodging in case of illness. Please visit "Employing someone to work in your home" (section: Au pairs) for more information. | |||
room | The room should have a size of at least 9 square metres, be lockable and have a window. It should, of course, also be furnished and heated. | |||
language course | Besides the fact that the host family has to give the au pair the option to attend English language classes at a local college in the au pair's spare time an au pair entering the UK with a "Tier 4 student visa" has to first follow the requirements for obtaining the "Tier 4 student visa". Please visit "Employing someone to work in your home" (section: Au pairs) for more information. 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. For more information regarding one's knowledge of English please see the eligibility criteria for the | The host family has to give the au pair the option to attend English language classes at a local college in the au pair's spare time. Please visit "Employing someone to work in your home" (section: Au pairs) for more information. 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. For more information regarding one's knowledge of English please see the eligibility criteria for the ExceptionsAn au pair will not need to prove knowledge of English if the au pair is a national of one of the following countries:
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travel expenses | The au pair is required to pay their own travelling cost to and from the UK, unless the family chooses to fund this. | |||
health, accident and liability insurance |
Note:
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social welfare system | One needs a National Insurance number before paying National Insurance contributions. If the au pair earns between £113 and £157 a week, his/her contributions are treated as having been paid to protect your National Insurance record. (reference: weekly thresholds of National Insurance, here: LEL = Lower Earnings Limit) This will not apply to most au pairs as they typically earn less than this amount. (Pls see also: Employing someone to work in your home) One pays National Insurance contributions to qualify for certain benefits including the State Pension. One pays National Insurance if you’re:
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tax | Au pairs may have to pay Income Tax and National Insurance, depending on how much pocket money they get. For more information hereabout please visit section "Employing someone to work in your home" on the website of Gov.UK. | |||
cost for host family |
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ending of contract | The legal period of notice is 14 days, leaving enough time for the au pair to help your host family find a replacement au pair and either organise a return trip for yourself or find a new host family. Discuss with others in our community what one can do should problems arise with your au pair / family! |

Hi, my name is Davide Contu
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