Program Costs
The program costs for the Au Pair Program are really a pleasant surprise for candidates. While a student planning to go on Work & Travel can expect to pay $2000+ and also pay for their room for the summer (average of $90 a week) plus pay for their food (about $50 a week average), the Au Pair pays a $100 application fee, $140 visa fee and a $35 SEVIS fee, for a total of $275.
The Au Pair’s airfare is paid for, their health insurance for the time in the States is paid for, and they don’t pay for their room or their food. All of these items are paid for by the host family.
Before the Au Pair leaves for America, they also pay a $400 deposit, which they get back when they return to Russia.
When the Au Pair arrives in their gateway city, (this is the city in America where you first arrive) usually Newark, New Jersey, you will have about a week of training before flying to the city where your host family will meet you. While in the gateway city, your room and meals will be paid for, but it is suggested that you bring about $200 as pocket money so that you can see the sights in these cities after training each day. New York city is less than one hour from Newark, New Jersey.
We think that you will agree that the Au Pair program is quite affordable and because you are not paying for your room or food, you have the potential to save a lot of your stipend each week.