Au-Pair UK
Au-Pair UK
Being an Au-Pair in the UK is still one of the most popular adventures that young people dream of. The UK is not only known for the Royals, the Beatles, the afternoon tea and Fish and Chips. All these British icons surely make the UK a great Au-Pair destination. But the country has so much more to offer: interesting and vibrant cities (London!), beautiful landscapes and a new culture to delve into. The best part: you will improve your English skills. Since Au-Pairs live with a Host Family during the stay, you will get a lot of exposure to British English. And you will get the chance to improve your skills in exchange with native speakers.
Did we convince you of pursuing your dream? Then keep on reading and find out more information about the requirements and the application for the UK program.
Facts about the program in the UK
- Age: 17 – 30 years for European Union Citizens, 18 – 30 other nationalities
Duration: 6 – 24 months- Working time: 30 hours per week
- Holiday: 4 weeks holiday for a 12-month stay. You will also have at least one day off per week. Once a month, this day must be a Sunday.
- Travel costs: paid by the Au-Pair.
- Insurance: If you are an EU citizen, you can apply for the European Health Insurance Card. If you have a different nationality, you will need private health insurance. Host Families must register their Au-Pair in the National Health Service (NHS).
- Pocket money: 75-80 GBP per week
You…
- are 17 – 30 years old
- speak English
- are healthy and don’t smoke
- can pay for your travel expenses
- are entitled to obtain a visa or to enter the country without a visa
Do not forget to verify all the information at the UK Embassy in your residence country.
1. Application
After sending your application, the agency will send you a confirmation e-mail with more information regarding the process. Once you have gathered all the documents, the agency will send your profile to their partners to start the search. Another option is to look for a family with AuPair.com, which is an online matching agency. In this case, you will need to register and create a profile online.
2. Looking for a Host Family
The agency in England will look for a great Host Family for you! They will send them your profile so be sure to make it appealing! On AuPair.com you will browse through the list of matching Host Families and get in touch with them on your own.
3. Placement
If the Host Family is interested, the agency will send you their profile. Afterwards, you can organize a video call to get to know each other better. If you reach an agreement, then do not forget to sign the contract! If you're working with an online matching platform, the Host Family will directly let you know if they are interested and schedule an appointment for a video call with you.
4. Visa
If you need a visa, be sure to apply in your country.
5. Departure
Once you have a Host Family, it's time to book the flight. Get ready for the adventure in the UK!
If you are a participant from one of the EU member countries, you do not need a visa for your stay. If you have a different nationality, you might be able to live the experience through the Youth Mobility Scheme or with a Student Visa for a long stay or with a work permit.
Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme
Citizens from: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong*, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea* and Taiwan* can apply for the Tier 5 Visa. This permit will grant them the chance to live and work in the United Kingdom.
*Citizens from these countries need to be sponsored in order to apply for the visa
Requirements to apply for a Tier 5 visa:
You…
- are between 18 and 30 years old
- have an interest in living and working in the UK for up to 2 years
- have never been in the UK with the Tier 5 program
- are not married and do not have children of your own
- can prove you have an amount of 1,890 pounds in saving
Student Visa
If you are a candidate from another country you can be part of the program through a Student visa. This permit will make it possible to study and work in most jobs – depending on the course’s level and the sponsor they have.
Please be sure to check all the details regarding visa regulations in the UK’s visas and migration website.
If you are a citizen of the European Union you can get the European Health Insurance card. Remember that you need to apply for this benefit in your home country. If you come from another country, please apply for private insurance. A good option might be PROTRIP-WORLD.
Testimonial
“England has always been fascinating for me because of the friendly and nice atmosphere and the wonderful accent!” – Karolin, Au-Pair in the UK
Au-Pair Workshops
If you are interested in the Au-Pair program, you can always search for the workshops organized by local agencies. There you will be able to find out more about the program.
To help you get ready for your Au-Pair year, agencies also organize workshops in which you will learn more about the daily life of an Au-Pair in the UK, get ideas for children games and activities and some tips on how to deal with homesickness. The staff will also provide you with some tips about how to adapt to the British lifestyle.
The workshop is also the best opportunity to ask your questions. You can share your concerns and doubts and find people who will work as an Au-Pair just like you! Use your chance to find like-minded friends even before the program starts!
