Information about au pairs

If you need general advice about au pair arrangements, one of the organisations listed at the end of this page may be able to help. What is the au pair scheme? The scheme allows a single person between 17 and 27 to come to the United Kingdom to study English. You can live for up to two years as a member of an English-speaking family. You help in the home for up to five hours a day. You get at least two full days off a week. In return you get an allowance and your own room. An allowance of £55 a week is recommended. Which countries are included in the au pair scheme? An au pair must be a national of one of the following countries.

Andorra	Faroe Islands	Romania
Bosnia-Herzegovina	Greenland	San Marino
Republic of Bulgaria	Macedonia	Turkey
Croatia	Monaco

Do I need a visa?

From 1st January 2007 citizens from Bulgaria and Romania will not require leave to enter or remain to reside legally in the UK.

All Bulgarian and Romanian citizens will have a right of residence in any EU Member State for the first 3 months of residence on an unrestricted basis and remain legally resident in that state as long as they wish, providing they are exercising a treaty right as a student, a self-employed person, or if they are self-sufficient.

They will not however, have an automatic right to reside as a worker (unless they are exempt from work authorisation requirements).

What should I do if I have problems? If you are having difficulties with your host family, you may ask your agency for help. If you feel that you have been unfairly treated by your agency and want advice, you should contact the Employment Agency Standards Office at the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI). Their helpline number is 0645 555105 or you can write to them at: 1 Victoria Street London SW1H OET. The following organisations may be able to help you if you are in difficulty. Those marked with a star (*) can also help you find a family who want an au pair. You can contact: your consulate (your country's representative in the United Kingdom); your local Citizens' Advice Bureau; your local Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA); and your local Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). reliable aupair agency *