Can you hire an au pair without using a agency?

Answer 1

I wouldn't advise it and here's why:

1) The agency takes care of au pair recruitment, criminal background check, face-to-face interviews and reference checking in the home countries. I can't even begin to imagine trying to do all that on my own. I couldn't wager a guess at the cost of all that, not to mention the massive amount of time it would take, which as a busy mom, I don't have and I'm sure you don't either.

2) Plus, making all the arrangements for the au pair's visa and Immigration documents just makes my head spin. Do you have the expertise to do this and get it right? I sure don't! Then there's the international transportation from her home country to consider. This could cost you thousands, depending on where she's coming from.

3) Also, the agency fee includes health care insurance for the au pair during her year in the states. This alone is probably worth more than $1,000, and you might not be able to provide the level of insurance the agency can because they get it at the group rate, rather than an individual plan.

4) An agency offers you literally hundreds of au pair candidates to choose from. How many do you imagine you will be able to find on your own? And if you do go it alone and it doesn't work out, how are you going to replace your au pair? The agency is there to support you and will help you to find a replacement as quickly as possible with a pool of in-country candidates or a new overseas match.

5) Your local coordinator is one of the biggest assets to going with an agency, in my humble opinion. If you ever have a question, she is there. She provides you and your au pair with information, support, and a whole community of other au pairs to help give yours a social life outside of her day job - and an au pair with a healthy social life means a happy au pair which means a happy host family.

I consider the roughly $7k agency fee well worth it considering all that you get and would strongly advise against trying to find an au pair without an agency. I believe there are 12 au pair agencies designated by the US Department of State; the "big 3" are Cultural Care Au Pair, Au Pair in America and Au Pair Care, with roughly 8k, 5k and 4k current host families respectively. Some of the smaller boutique agencies have as few as 100-250 au pairs, which can lead to problems finding a replacement if it doesn't work out with your au pair since there is such a limited pool of candidates. Do your research because the fees and services can vary significantly among agencies.

And last but not least, hiring an au pair without an agency in the USA is illegal. Sure, she can be creatively brought over on a student or tourist visa, but she will not have a legal right to work in the USA for you.