US Department of State proposes new Au Pair Program Regulations

The new US Au Pair regulations proposal – help us defend the program and its cultural exchange mission 

On October 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of State published proposed new Au Pair Program Regulations in the Federal Register. If enacted, these regulations could drastically alter the American Au Pair Program by imposing significant new obligations and restrictions on host families and au pairs, which could have a negative impact on the program’s cultural exchange mission.

It’s important to understand that at this point, these are only proposed changes. The existing regulations and obligations remain unchanged.

However, the proposal has entered a 60-day public comment period, which will end on December 29, 2023, and it’s imperative that we make our voices heard. After the comment period ends, there will be a lengthy period when the Department of State reviews all of the comments and makes adjustments to their proposal. That process could go on for months or longer. If finalized, the proposed regulations include a 180-day period before they would take effect and provisions for au pairs who are already in the US at that time to remain on the current regulatory structure.

While we understand that the US Department of State wants to update the Au Pair Program, the proposed regulations turn the program into a labor program, which deviates from the original congressional intent and undermines the US Department of State’s public diplomacy mission.

In the coming weeks we will provide updates on actions you can take to support this valuable cultural exchange program.