Planning ahead can really make a dream vacation here in the USA possible. Here are some reminders about program rules regarding holidays and vacations.
Holidays
- Host families are not required to give au pairs any specific holidays. If a family chooses to give time off, it can be a nice reward for an Au pair!
- Each host family will make different arrangements for 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 their host family first.
- Start a discussion about which holidays might be good to coordinate a weekend off for a mini-vacation. Google National holidays for the USA.
Vacations
- An Au pair earns 11 days of paid vacation during her year.
- Splitting up the 11 days of vacation time into two separate vacations can be useful. Taking 5 days of vacation in the first 6 months- Mon-Fri and using a weekend off for the month will give a 7 day vacation. This can be repeated in the last half of the year. This leaves 1 vacation day to use. This can be coordinated with a holiday and your weekend off for the month for another mini vacation.
- Vacation time should be mutually agreed upon before it is taken.
- All vacations should be preplanned (at least 4-12 weeks in advance.) This can allow time to coordinate the au pair’s weekend off for the month and her vacation days.
- 12 weeks lead time is suggested if An Au Pair is planning on using a lot of vacation days altogether to return home. Taking more than one week away is more complicated for the host to arrange for another source of childcare. The DS should be signed for travel to return to a home country. All travel should be completed 45 days before the end of the J-1 visa.
- All au pairs’ friends and/or family visits/vacations should be pre-approved before purchasing flight tickets. Some host families will not be comfortable with guests visiting during work hours. It might be best to coordinate the Au Pair’s vacation with the guests’ plans to visit.
- If an Au Pair travels with her host family, it should be discussed in advance whether this is the au pair’s vacation or if she is working. A schedule is necessary for work during the host family’s vacation. Off time should be clearly known. Responsibilities for childcare change on a vacation. It’s good to ask how this will look in a different environment.
- If an au pair travels with the host family to work, the host family must pay for her transportation, lodging, and meals. Her Lodging should ensure her privacy.
- Meals and activities during time off during the host family’s vacation are the responsibility of the Au Pair ( just like at home).
- The traveling time for a car ride or air flight would not be counted in the schedule unless the Au Pair is in charge of the children during this time. Au Pairs who work together with a family to ensure that the children are safe and happy during the hectic travel moments are really appreciated!
- An Au Pair cannot be away from the host family’s primary residence for longer than 3 weeks.
- Year 2 Au Pairs cannot travel internationally except for Canada, Mexico, and some adjacent Caribbean islands. The specific islands allowed are listed on the Automatic revalidation checklist below.
Important: If an au pair is traveling outside of the U.S., she must have her DS2019 signed (travel validation) before she departs from the US. Even if the travel is to their home country. This can take up to 4 weeks to process. A visitor’s visa may also be needed for the country you are visiting. The ability to re-enter the USA is up to the border agent. APIA has no control over this decision, even with a travel signature.
More information about international travel may be found with these resources:
Year 1 International Travel Checklist