Au Pair Letter of Invitation

This au pair letter is suitable where a family wishes to invite someone to join their family as an au pair. The working times, allowance and other conditions meet the requirements of the official UK au pair scheme.

The host family should complete the letter of invitation and send it to the au pair who will then be able to use the letter to support his/her application for a visa. Even if the au pair does not require a visa to enter the UK as an au pair, this letter is still useful since it sets out the terms under which you are offering the au pair position and can therefore help avoid misunderstandings.

Please note, this letter is not suitable for use when employing a nanny: instead, see our Nanny Agreement.

An au pair is usually a foreign national who has entered the UK to live with a family while improving his/her knowledge of the English language. He/she is treated as a member of the family's household rather than an employee and, in return for limited childcare and housework duties (no more than 5 hours per day, 25 hours per week for non-EEC nationals), is given an allowance. The au pair must be given his/her own room with full-board in the family home, at least 2 days off work per week and adequate time to attend English lessons. An au pair is usually a young person with no formal childcare qualifications and should not be given sole care of children under the age of 3.

The recommended weekly allowance for an au pair is £55 (£65 in the London area). Any sum substantially higher could suggest that the au pair is filling the position of a domestic servant which might require a work permit and may result in the host having to register as an employer and pay National Insurance and PAYEE. The official definition of an au pair and the au pair scheme is available at the Home Office website.

Au pairs from certain non-EEC countries are able to apply to obtain a visa to enter the UK as an au pair. Au pairs from EEC countries do not need a visa to work as an au pair in the UK. Au pairs from Commonwealth countries may work as au pairs having entered the UK on a working holiday visa. Details of visa requirements for au pairs are available at the UK Visa Office website.

This letter is suitable for use in England, Wales and Scotland and covers:

• accommodation
• allowance
• duties (including babysitting)
• holidays
• holiday pay
• start date and duration of position
• working times.

Host families should ensure that their home insurance provides cover for the au pair as a member of their household.

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• Nanny Agreement - a contract of employment for a nanny