This is an immigration category made especially for nationals of certain countries who intend to learn English language by living with an English speaking family. There are certain conditions of this scheme, which needs to be fulfilled in order to, make a successful Au pair entry clearance application.

2. Essential Conditions to fulfil for a successful Au Pair application

• Only nationals of following countries can apply under this scheme:
  1. Andorra
  2. Bosnia-Herzegovina
  3. Bulgaria
  4. Croatia
  5. Faroe Islands
  6. Greenland
  7. Macedonia
  8. Monaco
  9. Romania
  10. San Marino
  11. Turkey
• The person must be aged between 17-27 years, unmarried and without any dependants.
• The applicant must intend to come to the UK to live as a member of an English speaking family with appropriate opportunities to learn English language.
• The person can help in the household works for a maximum of five hours per day in return for a reasonable allowance.
• The applicant must get at least 2 days off in a week.
• The applicant must intend to leave the UK on the expiry of leave to remain.
• The applicant can maintain and accommodate himself without recourse to public funds or taking any employment.

3. What Documents to Submit?

An au pair entry clearance application must be accompanied by certain documentary evidences to prove that the applicant meets all the necessary requisites of this scheme. These documents may be:

• A letter of invitation by an English speaking family in the UK who invites the applicant to come and join them as an Au pair.
• Any other documentary evidence that all arrangements are made regarding the availability of an English speaking family who is willing to accommodate the applicant.
• Any documentary evidence of improving English Language skills during the time to be spent as an au pair.
• A contract to live and reside with the family and assisting in their household works for no more than 5 hours a day in return of a fixed amount of money.
• Any documentary evidence to prove strong family, financial or social ties to prove that the applicant would return to his home country on the expiry of leave to enter / remain.

This is not an exhaustive list and the British Diplomatic post may need to ask for further information / documentary evidence. However, in addition to the above documents the applicant needs to provide the following:

• Original Passport of the main applicant and those of dependants, if any.
• Two Pictures of the main applicant and the dependants, if any.
• Fees for the application
• Original bank Statements for the last 3 months.

4. Duration of Visa

The maximum period for which an entry clearance for an Au Pair could be sought is 2 years.

5. Work Allowed

An au pair is not allowed to take up any employment apart from helping in the home for a reasonable amount of money.

6. What is not allowed?

Au Pairs are not allowed to take any sort of (full time or part time) employment paid or unpaid while remaining in the UK or engage themselves in business.

7. Extension of Leave to remain

An au pair can apply for an extension of leave to remain provided he continues to meet the requirements of this scheme. But the extension can only be given for the remaining period of two years.

The maximum duration for which a person can remain on this scheme is a total time period of two years.

8. Spouse / Children

Au pair visas are only issued to those persons who are not married and do not have any dependant children.

9. Switching Rules

Since 01^st of October 2004, there have been some major changes in the switching rules. Au pairs can now only switch their immigration status to the following immigration categories without leaving the UK provided they qualify for the specific category:

• Spouse Visa (Provided the applicant has been issued a visa for more than 6 months initially and he has got more than 3 months of his current leave to remain).
• Religious Minister (provided they have lived as an Au pair for 12 months and fulfil all the requirements to apply as a Religious Minister.
• Turkish Nationals who are in the UK on this scheme can change their status to Businesspersons while remaining within the UK, relying on the "standstill clause" and have their case determined by reference to the 1973 rules.

10. Settlement Prospects

Au pairs have no prospects for permanent settlement and they have to leave the UK at the end of their leave to remain. They can only apply for settlement if they successfully switch into spouse visa or religious minister while remaining within the UK.