Author Archives: Simmy Wolfe

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Return Flights Home

  • I am returning home and am required to have a negative COVID test result to board my flight, what happens if the test is not received in time? Prior to leaving for the airport, if you are still waiting for your results,  contact the lab directly to see what can be done about receiving the results more quickly. In some cases, the customer service rep can move things along and get the results pushed through. If you are stil unable to get the results back in time, please call the APIA Stamford office or contact the emergency line (800-928-7247) after office hours/weekend so that your flight can be rescheduled as needed.

  • Can I get tested at the airport ? Yes, some US airports offer COVID testing on site. These links list the US airports that are currently offering testing on site:  Travel/Leisure and Afar. After locating the airport, go to the airport’s main website for additional information. Please be reminded that COVID testing requires accurate planning in advance so that the results are returned in an appropriate time frame. Often the testing at the airport can return results same day at a higher cost than most local testing found in your communities.
  • My home country requires a COVID test and/or quarantine on arrival, is the cost of the test/quarantine covered? Please note that Cultural Insurance Services International/Aetna only covers the cost of testing when prescribed by a medical professional and does not cover tests as part of travel or quarantine requirements.
  • I have additional baggage or overweight bags, can APIA pay for that cost? APIA is not responsible for baggage costs or excess weight for bags. This should be part of your planning process when getting ready for their return home.
  • When will I receive my flight? To avoid airline cancellations and the need to rebook a flight, APIA is currently booking flights about 3-4 weeks prior to the departure date.
  • Travel Insurance refund? If an au pair purchased stand-alone travel insurance and no longer needs the travel month insurance, there is a possibility for a refund of the travel month insurance payment with advanced notice please email apiainsurance@aifs.com for consideration. **Please note a refund in travel month insurance means the au pair would lose the upgrade baggage coverage.

COVID-19 Information About Repatriation Flights for APIA Au Pairs

Various foreign governments are organizing repatriation flights for their citizens. Every country is different, but the first several steps are the same.

Step 1 – Au pairs must register with their embassies in to receive information directly from their embassy re: repatriation flights and in order to get on the list for a flight home

 Step 2 – Au pair should communicate with both her host family and community counselor on the flight she is being offered by her embassy

Step 3 –  Au pair needs to complete process with embassy to book flight and make payment for the flight directly through the embassy*

*For most countries the au pair has to pay and will be reimbursed by the agency. South Africa is highlighted because payment must come from a South African bank account. Please note that repairs in their first year going home early are NOT eligible to be reimbursed for the flight.

Step 4 – Au pair submits receipt to Au Pair in America for proper reimbursement upon return to her home country. Ask your community counselor for the agency contact.

Step 5 – Communicate your departure date with your community counselor for agency documentation of when the au pair is departing the US.

Key: EV – represents – Exchange Visitors i.e. au pairs

Country

Update

Albania

EVs should email their information (name, location, contact info, exchange program) to the Albanian Embassy at: embassy.washington@mfa.gov.al

Argentina

EVs should contact the embassy or closest consulate: https://eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar/en;

Bahrain

EVs should contact the Cultural Office of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain via email at: cultural@bahrainembassy.org

Cambodia

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: https://www.embassyofcambodiadc.org/covid19updates/press-release-of-the-embassy-requesting-information-from-cambodian-students-in-the-us

Colombia

EVs should contact the Embassy at: 202–885-9279;

cwashington@cancilleria.gov.co

Croatia

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: http://us.mvep.hr/en/news/notification-for-croats-abroad,60419.html

Czech Republic

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: https://www.mzv.cz/washington/cz/konzularni_informace/urgentni_cr_vypravuje_specialni_let_z.html

Ecuador

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: http://www.ecuador.org/nuevosite/

Greece

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: https://www.mfa.gr/en/current-affairs/statements-speeches/ministry-of-foreign-affairs-announcement-on-the-impact-of-the-coronavirus-situation-on-the-movements-of-greek-citizens-abroad.html

Hungary

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: https://washington.mfa.gov.hu/eng/news/szijjarto-peter-kuelgazdasagi-es-kueluegyminiszter-koezlemenye-a-hazaterni-szandekozoknak

Kosovo

EVs should contact the Kosovo Embassy via email:  frymezim.isufaj@rks-gov.net

Kyrgyzstan

EVs should send their data and questions to these email addresses: kgconsul@kgembassy.org  and kgembassy.usa@mfa.gov.kg. The 24/7 emergency telephone number is +1-202-256-2924

Mongolia

EVs should contact the embassy via: http://mongolianembassy.us/contact-us/#.XoTD9ZNKiu4.

Montenegro

EVs should register with Embassy of Montenegro’s website: http://www.mvp.gov.me/en/sections/Missions/Embassies-and-consulates-of-Montenegro/united-states-of-america.

Pakistan

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: http://embassyofpakistanusa.org/

Peru

EVs should complete the form at this link if they are interested in returning home: http://www.consulado.pe/paginas/Inicio.aspx;

https://www.embassyofperu.org/infocorona2

Russia

EVs should reach out to the embassy or consulate.  For the NY Consulate – The consulate has said that Russian citizens should contact at mailny@mid.ru.

The general consular section email contact at the Russian Embassy in DC: russconswdc@gmail.com

Saudi Arabia

EVs have until April 10 to apply for return to the Kingdom on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ e-service platform (http://www.mofa.gov.sa/es), with priority given to Saudi citizens in countries most affected by COVIID-19, the elderly, and pregnant women.  All returning Saudis will be subject to 14-day mandatory quarantine in hotels throughout the Kingdom.

Slovakia

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: https://www.mzv.sk/en/web/washington-en

Slovenia

EVs should visit the Embassy’s website: http://www.washington.embassy.si/index.php?id=51&L=1

Somalia

EVs should send their details to Abdirahman Bashir at: a.bashir@somaliembassydc.net

South Africa

EVs should reach out to the Embassy (http://www.saembassy.org/) if they are interested in returning home.

Thailand

Embassy of Thailand closed their acceptance of applications for travel clearance until April 18. More information can found at:

https://thaiembdc.org/th/infoforthais/

Here is more detail on El Salvador

https://sv.usembassy.gov/information-for-salvadoran-citizens-in-the-united-states-during-the-covid-19-emergency/

Please email your community counselor with any questions you may have.

On account of COVID-19 several modifications have been made on a temporary basis to accommodate program requirements for au pairs.

Education requirement: 72 hours of learning documented/6 credits/7.2 CEUs (continuing education units

The Department of State has relaxed the “in-person” learning requirement – which opens up a range of possibilities.  This is a temporary exception.  The course and certificate need to come from a United States accredited post-secondary institution. *Please check with your Community Counselor if you have any questions and to confirm course approval

Several online options (NOT ALL COURSES OFFERED ARE APPROVED)

Reference – Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs