Tag Archives: DS-2019

Travel Outside of the U.S.

7 Things to Know Before You Go

  1. There is always some risk with traveling outside of the U.S., as re-entry is at the discretion of the port of entry agent. APIA recommends that au pairs and host families discuss the risks and decide whether they are comfortable.
  2. Please review the appropriate checklist(s) from APIA, as you make your travel plans.
  3. All Au Pairs must email their scanned DS-2019 along with a Travel Validation Request Form to APIA, at least 1-2 weeks prior to international travel. Note: The travel validation ensures that you are in good standing with the program, it is not formal permission to travel. 
  4. Year 1 Au Pairs must have a valid visa to travel internationally and plan to return to the U.S. at least 2 weeks prior to the date their visa (inside their passport) says it expires. This can be different from the actual program end date.
  5. Year 2 Au Pairs may visit Canada, Mexico, and the adjacent islands due to the Automatic Revalidation Policy. No other international travel is allowed in Year 2.
  6. Travel Validation is good for the remainder of your current program year. If you have your Year 1 DS-2019 form validated for travel for one trip, you may use that same travel validation to take additional trips outside of the U.S. before Year 1 ends. Be sure to check the expiration date printed on your visa inside your passport, and return before that date.
  7. All Au Pairs must independently research whether they will need an additional visitor’s visa for their destination. This will depend on their nationality and travel destination.

Photo: Porapak Apichodilok from Pexels

Travel Outside of the U.S.

10 Things to Know Before You Go

  1. There is always some risk with traveling outside of the U.S., as re-entry is at the discretion of the port of entry agent. APIA recommends that au pairs and host families discuss the risks and decide whether they are comfortable.
  2. Please review the appropriate checklist(s) from APIA, as you make your travel plans.
  3. All Au Pairs must mail their original DS-2019 along with a Travel Validation Request Form to APIA, at least 3-4 weeks prior to international travel. Not sure how to mail this? Check out this blog post with step-by-step instructions. Note: The travel validation ensures that you are in good standing with the program, it is not formal permission to travel.
  4. Year 1 Au Pairs must have a valid visa to travel internationally and plan to return to the U.S. prior to the date their visa says it expires. This can be different from the actual program end date.
  5. Year 2 Au Pairs may visit Canada, Mexico, and the adjacent islands due to the Automatic Revalidation Policy. No other international travel is allowed in Year 2.
  6. Year 3 Au Pairs (special extension) are not permitted to travel internationally.
  7. All Au Pairs must independently research whether they will need an additional visitor’s visa for their destination. This will depend on their nationality and travel destination.
  8. Only fully vaccinated travelers will be admitted into the U.S. This means that all foreign visitors must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and must show proof of vaccination before boarding a U.S.-bound airline.
  9. All Au Pairs will need to get a COVID-19 viral test (regardless of vaccination status or citizenship) no more than 1 day before they travel by air into the United States. They must show the negative result to the airline before boarding the flight. This test is not for a medical reason, so it will not be covered by insurance and you will need to cover the cost yourself.
  10. When you return to the U.S. you should follow CDC and local guidelines regarding quarantine and testing.

Photo: Porapak Apichodilok from Pexels

How to Address an Envelope in the USA

The way people address mail around the world varies.  Here is an example to show you where to put the information when you are sending mail in the United States.

Other Mail Tips:

  • Use permanent ink, no pencil.
  • Print clearly and neatly.
  • Never mail cash. Money orders and checks are safer options.
  • Postage stamps can be purchased at the post office and some grocery stores. Your host parents may have a stamp they can give you.
  • One “Forever” stamp is enough to send a standard envelope with several sheets of paper inside anywhere within the U.S.
  • You place your stamped envelope in any big blue mailbox you see around town or at the post office. Find nearby post offices HERE.
  • Expect that it can take up to 5 days for regular mail to arrive. If you need to get something sent more quickly, look into faster options (Priority Mail, 2-Day UPS, FedEx).

What is a “self-addressed, stamped envelope”?

When you mail your DS-2019 in for travel validation, the first option is to send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. That means an envelope where you have written yourself as the delivery address and put a stamp on it. This allows them to sign your form and put it right into that envelope and send it back to you. This option is great when you send in your DS-2109 at least 3-4 weeks before your trip. If you have less time than that, you should select the 2-Day UPS option and pay the $15 to make sure you get it back in time.

Holiday & Vacation Reminders

With Memorial Day almost here, I wanted to remind everyone about program rules on holidays and vacations.

Holidays

  • Host families are NOT REQUIRED to give au pairs any specific holidays.
  • Each host family will make different arrangements on holidays, some au pairs will be off and others will be required to work.
  • Au pairs should NOT make plans for holidays without checking with your host family FIRST.

luggage maliasVacation

  • Au pair earns 2 weeks of paid vacation during the course of her year.
  • The host family can pick a week and the au pair can pick a week, if an agreement is not reached.
  • All vacation should be preplanned (at least 4 weeks in advance.)
  • All au pair’s friends and/or family visits/vacations should be pre-approved prior to purchasing a ticket.
  • If an au pair travels with their host family, it should be discussed UP FRONT whether this is the au pair’s vacation or if she is working.
  • If an au pair travels with the host family to work, the host family is required to pay for her transportation, lodging and meals.

Important: An au pair MUST have her DS2019 signed PRIOR to her departure from the US. More information about this can be found by selecting the Resources tab on the top of this page and looking under “Travel Links for Au Pairs.”

Travel Outside of the U.S.

Passport_stamps_18-19

If you are planning to travel outside the U.S. during your first year, your DS 2019 will need a travel validation signature.  See “Travel Links for Au Pairs” on the side of this page for link to the Travel Validation Request Form. At least 3 weeks before you travel, you should print this form and send it along with your original DS-2019 form and a self-addressed stamped envelope (so your signed DS 2019 may be returned to you) to the following address.

Au Pair in America
River Plaza
9 West Broad Street
Stamford, CT 06902
Attn.: Evelyn Blum

You will also need to check whether you need a visa to enter the country you intend to visit. I have a link for Visiting Canada. Other countries requirements can be found by doing a Google search such as “visitor requirement Mexico.”  Obtaining a tourist visa is solely the responsibility of the au pair.

Extension Au Pairs: In your extension year, travel outside the U.S. is restricted. Please contact me before making any plans to travel outside the U.S. in your extension year.

Have a great trip!