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.
step by step to get to United Kingdom
Student World | Free Movement EU/EEA/CH | Youth mobility Turks and Caicos Islands |
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find family / au pair, sign contract | Follow our tips on how to find the perfect au pair / the perfect host family with connectAuPair. | ||
invitation letter | When applying for a student visa, the applicant must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor. This is a so-called "confirmation of acceptance for studies" (CAS). Note:
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insurance | In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) is responsible for public health care. This includes hospital stays, medical care and ambulance services. (Pls see "The NHS in England" on the website of nhs.uk) au pairs from EEA states: Citizens of these countries are entitled to benefit from NHS services throughout their stay in the UK. However, to do so, the au pair is required to provide their European health insurance card (EHIC)* . Otherwise, they may be charged for healthcare services in the UK. Visits to the doctor and ambulance services are free of charge, whereas hospital treatment, prescription costs, dental treatment, eyesight tests and ophthalmic products are subject to fees, unless the person in question is exempt from charges. Note:
| In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) is responsible for public health care. This includes hospital stays, medical care and ambulance services. (Pls see "The NHS in England" on the website of nhs.uk) au pairs from EEA states: Citizens of these countries are entitled to benefit from NHS services throughout their stay in the UK. However, to do so, the au pair is required to provide their European health insurance card (EHIC)* . Otherwise, they may be charged for healthcare services in the UK. Visits to the doctor and ambulance services are free of charge, whereas hospital treatment, prescription costs, dental treatment, eyesight tests and ophthalmic products are subject to fees, unless the person in question is exempt from charges. | |
visa | Within six months after the au pair has received the "confirmation of acceptance for studies" (CAS) he / she has to apply for the visa. Therefore the au pair has to follow the directions on the website of gov.uk "Tier 4 (General) student visa". One must apply online for a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
Important: Read the guide and appendix for the full list of documents and how much money you’ll need. |
| The au pair must apply online for the visa. The au pair will need to have his or her fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of your application. The au pair will need to have to collect the biometric residence permit within 10 days of expected arrival in the UK. The au pair must still be from one of the eligible countries to get this visa, even if applying from another country. |
further documents |
You need a page in your passport that’s blank on both sides for your visa. Your documents will usually be sent back within 14 days | Officially, the following documents are required:
The au pair needs a page in their passport that is blank on both sides for the visa. The au pair needs to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh. Read the guide for a full list of documents. The au pair may be required to provide additional documents depending on the circumstances. | |
organize trip | The trip will normally be organized by the au pair, of course in accordance with the host family. Even when everything is clear and all questions are asked, it's good to stay in touch until the journey starts - it's important that also the children get to know that a new au pair is coming and communicating from time to time through Skype is a good way to get used to each other. | ||
start journey | What to take with you as au pair? In our community you can find tips from other au pairs! Please note: Border authorities may examine whether the prerequisites for entry continue to apply. This examination is international practice. The au pair might be refused entry even though (s)he is in the possession of a valid visa, if the prerequisites for entry no longer apply. Therefore the au pair should carry with him/her documents giving evidence to the purpose of the stay - in particular proof of sufficient funds (au pair contract) and health insurance. |
step by step once you're in United Kingdom
Student World | Free Movement EU/EEA/CH | Youth mobility Turks and Caicos Islands |
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arrive | Although it's not mandatory, normally the host family picks up the au pair from the airport or train station (or organizes a pick-up). The first days should then be reserved for getting to know each other and introducing the au pair to the family's daily routines. You are not sure how to welcome your au pair and which rules you should define? Have a look at our tipps and discuss with other families in our community! You are feeling homesick, the kids don't seem to like you and you just feel like returning home asap? Get comfort and tipps from other au pairs in our community! | ||
residence registration | Applying for a residence card can:
You can find more information by clicking on the links below: | ||
work permit | An au pair is not classed as a worker or an employee in the U.K., if most of the following apply (pls see: Employing someone to work at your home on the website of Gov.UK):
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bank account | The au pair must have at least £1,890 in savings Learn about IAS's (individual savings accounts) here Eligibility;
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driving a car | If the au pair is from an EU or EEA* country, he or she can drive in the UK with his/her home country license. From most other countries, provided his/her full license remains valid, the au pair can drive for up to 12 months. To carry on driving after 12 months, one must have obtained a provisional British license and passed a driving test before the 12 months elapses. For more information visit www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence Before the au pair drives in the UK for the first time, it is vital to be sure that the host family has arranged insurance cover for the au pair with their motor insurer, so that you are legally covered when you drive their car. Issues of insurance and liability should be clarified in advance. Should any damages result from an accident, it should be clear who pays for them. The host family should contact their own insurance company. | ||
social welfare system | Au pairs typically earn less than the amount required to pay national insurance contributions: For more info, please see |
step by step to change family in United Kingdom
Student World | Free Movement EU/EEA/CH | Youth mobility Turks and Caicos Islands |
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find new family | Have a look at our tips, how to change family! | ||
insurance | In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) is responsible for public health care. This includes hospital stays, medical care and ambulance services. au pairs from EEA states: Citizens of these countries are entitled to benefit from NHS services throughout their stay in the UK. However, to do so, they need to provide their European health insurance card (EHIC)* . Otherwise, they may be charged for healthcare services in the UK. Visits to the doctor and ambulance services are free of charge, whereas hospital treatment, prescription costs, dental treatment, eyesight tests and ophthalmic products are subject to fees, unless the person in question is exempt from charges. | ||
residence registration | See above info with regard to residence registration. Pls see also "UK visas and registering with the police" on the website of Gov.UK. | ||
work permit / residence permit | see above with regard to "work permit" |
step by step to leave United Kingdom
Student World | Free Movement EU/EEA/CH | Youth mobility Turks and Caicos Islands |
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other | Also consider the following, especially when the au pair leaves earlier than planned:
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Hi, my name is Davide Contu
and I’m responsible for this country information
I have thoroughly researched the information on this page, still I can’t give a guarantee that everything is correct and up-to-date.
If you should find any mistakes, please send me a message.
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