Coronavirus Updates & FAQs

At Cultural Care we want you to have all the information you need, and are here to support you on your au pair journey!

To help support you, our program participants, we have created this page to keep you updated and informed during this time.

We will share updates as they happen on this page, and have created some frequently asked questions to help you with the information you need.

Please refer back to this page as we will update it with any new developments!



Updates:


##### Update to COVID-19 testing requirements for entry to the USA June 13, 2022 COVID-19 testing requirements for entry to the USA have been updated. The American CDC no longer requires passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the USA.

We do recommend that au pairs test themselves with a viral test within 3 days of departure and delay travel if they receive a positive test result—if the result is positive au pairs should contact our local office immediately.


Update on U.S. travel restrictions being lifted for vaccinated travelers November 8, 2021

The White House has annouced that the travel ban will be lifted for fully vaccinated travelers, starting November 8, 2021. From this day forward, new travel requirements to enter the United States by air will come into effect as follows:

  • Required proof of being fully vaccinated: Persons are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks (14 days) after their dose of an accepted single-dose COVID-19 vaccine or their second dose of an accepted 2-dose series COVID-19 vaccine or when they have received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart. The last dose must have been given a full 14 days before the day a flight to the United States is boarded.

  • Approved COVID-19 vaccines are: Janssen/J&J, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Covishield, BIBP/Sinopharm, and Sinovac

  • Acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination is a vaccination certificate (digital or paper) with an official QR code. All certificates must have the full name and date of birth, the name of the official source issuing the record (e.g., public health agency, government agency, or other authorized vaccine provider), and the vaccine manufacturer and date(s) of vaccination.

  • Regardless of vaccination status, the USA also requires a negative COVID-19 viral test result (no older than 1 day before the flight's departure) or documentation of recovery (from within the last 90 days).

Please find the full overview and details by the American CDC here.


Update on NIE visa validity – extended to 12 months

The U.S. State Department has extended the validity of the National Interest Exception (NIE) visas from 30 days to 12 months from the date of approval and for multiple entries, as long as they are used for the purpose under which they were granted.

NIE means that if a host family qualifies for a special exception their au pair will be able to travel to the USA even with a travel restriction in place.

This new extension applies to travelers subject to current restrictions under the COVID-19 travel bans and retroactively to all existing NIE holders approved in the last 12 months. You can find more information here.


Previous updates

Update on travel advice for au pairs travelling to the USA

When travelling to the USA please follow these guidelines to keep yourself safe.

We advise all travelling au pairs to follow the advice as outlined by the CDC (check the advice here), or by their own country.

Make sure to follow these tips in particular:

  • Wash your hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds, especially if you have touched surfaces at the airport. It’s a good idea to carry hand sanitizer with you for when you cannot access soap and water
  • Keep a distance of 2 meters away from other people
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Use a face mask, you must use it throughout your entire journey
Update we’re here for you online!

We’re here to support you online to make sure your au pair dreams a reality. In this time of crisis our teams are working from home to continue our mission of making the world a better place through cultural exchange. Reach out to us by phone, email, Facebook or Instagram, our teams are waiting to hear from you!

Update on the US Government announcement on travel restrictions for EU/Schengen area individuals

On 11 March, the US Government announced that they would increase travel restrictions to include those who were in or had traveled to the Schengen area. The restriction was put in place for from Friday 13 March until further notice.

This has impacted some of our au pairs who we are in contact with while we try to rearrange their departure date.

Update to the Training School

We will be moving the Training School online from March 23! Our Online Training School gives you the chance to complete your au pair training in the comfort of your own home, while still receiving a world class training experience. You’ll have the chance to connect with au pairs arriving in the USA at the same time as you—and interact in real time with our teachers during the sessions.

Check out our FAQs:

I am due to travel in the coming months

I already have my visa can I travel to the USA if there are travel restrictions in place for my country?

You will be able to travel if you have a National Interest Exception (NIE), if not you will need to wait for any travel restrictions to be lifted, but we aim to get you to the USA as soon as you are able.

What happens to my visa if my travel date changes?

In the case of the visa every au pair’s experience is different. The impact on your visa depends on your new departure date, the appointment availability at your embassy and your travel plans during your au pair experience. Please contact us to talk more about your individual situation.

My visa appointment got cancelled, what now?

Follow the guidelines provided by the embassy to book a new appointment. Please reach out to your local office with the new appointment date.

My host family decided to break the match with me, what does that mean?

This doesn’t stop you from making your au pair dreams come true. There are still a lot of amazing host families out there looking for an au pair. Reach out to your local team who will support you in finding another great family that can welcome you.

How should I protect myself while I travel?

When you travel to the USA we recommend that you follow these guidelines to protect yourself:

  • Wash your hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds, especially if you have touched surfaces at the airport. It’s a good idea to carry hand sanitizer with you for when you cannot access soap and water
  • Keep a distance of 2 meters away from other people
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Wear a face mask–make sure to use it throughout your journey
What is the online Training School?

Our online Training School is a fun and interactive way to complete your au pair training. You will have interactive classes with our teachers, CPR training and one on one skills assessment, as well as virtual socials to connect with au pairs who will arrive to the USA at the same time as you.

What can I expect in terms of social distancing when I arrive to my host family?

Every host family will have their own response to social distancing–which is why you should talk to them before you travel. When you are picked up at the airport, you may not be greeted by the whole family, but don’t worry your host family will still be excited that you have arrived! Different states have different social distancing rules that your family will need to follow. Also be aware that some families may expect you to have a period of self-isolation when you first arrive whether in their home or at a hotel. We encourage you to ask your host family about their plan for self-isolation so you can prepare.

Can my host family ask me not to take vacation before arriving in the US?

No, however remember that the host family is concerned about your wellbeing and that this is an unexpected and unusual situation for everyone. Whilst they are still very happy to welcome you, they probably have some concerns about their children's health.

Can my host family ask me not to take vacation while in the US?

No, however remember that the host family is concerned about your wellbeing and that this is an unexpected and unusual situation for everyone, and they will have some concerns about their children's health. Keep an open communication with your host family and bear in mind that the situation will most likely change while you are in the US.

Can the US State Department extension program impact my travel?

Due to the extension program currently being offered to au pairs and host families in the USA, you may wonder if your departure will be affected.

We have sent an email and are reaching out to all au pairs whose host family have this option - if we are not in touch with you it means your travel plans are not impacted.

For those impacted, we recommend to talk to your host family to see what they are planning with their current au pair. Some host families may use this option to bridge the gap between your ability to arrive due to your own visa or travel restrictions.

If your match would cancel, we would support you matching with another great host family.

We will be in touch with you soon if you are impacted, but if you have questions, please contact us.

I am currently in matching

Am I still able to match with a host family if there are currently travel restrictions in place for my country?

Yes! We still have many families looking for an au pair! Our host families plan ahead, so you can start talking to them already for a departure in the future.

Starting matching early means you have more chance to find a family that best suits you, and you can get to know them before you depart. We encourage all au pairs to match as early as they can!

Due to the current situation, can I move my requested earliest departure to a later date?

Yes, if you feel uncertain about your earliest departure date, please contact us to update your application.

What should I do if I am close to matching with a host family, but they don’t want to make a decision yet due to the current situation?

Keep in close contact with us at this time and continue communicating with your host family connections. This is an uncertain time for everyone so please be patient and spend the extra time getting to know each other better!

My exams have been postponed due to my school closing – can I still match with a host family?

Yes, if you are planning to join a host family after your rescheduled exams take place. Please be aware that it’s a US State Department requirement that all au pairs have graduated high school before joining their host family, so keep us updated regarding your new exam dates.

I am applying to be an au pair

Can I still apply as an au pair?

Yes you can! There are a lot of amazing host families out there looking for an au pair. We are still accepting applications and we will support you to make your au pair dream come true.

Are you still running information meetings?

Yes! We run online information meetings on a regular basis and you can check out the next dates on our website. We’re looking forward to talking with you!

My exams have been postponed due to my school closing – can I still send in my application?

Yes, if you are planning to join a host family after your rescheduled exams take place, please continue working on your application and keep us updated regarding your new exam dates. Take this extra time to work on your application, add a few more photos, or make an even better video!

Can I still apply even though my driver’s license test has been postponed?

Yes, please reach out to your local office and let them know about your new test date. Continue to work on your application while you wait, take the extra time to work on an even better video for your application!

I can’t get a medical note because my doctor is not available – what do I do?

Please continue to work on your application while you wait for the doctor to have an available appointment. Add a few more photos, or take all this extra time you have and work on an even better video for your application!

I am a parent

My daughter or son is travelling in the coming months, I have questions.

Please refer to the section above called I am due to travel in the coming months.

My daughter or son is currently in the US, I have questions!

We understand this is an uncertain time for you and your child. Cultural Care US is reaching out to all au pairs in the US to support them. This is information that has been provided to our au pairs in the USA:

Travel

We strongly discourage travel at this time. As you may be aware travel advisories and restrictions continue to be issued and updated, therefore, areas that are possible to travel to today may not be in the days and weeks ahead. In addition, please note that if you travel to an affected area (even with host family support) you may be subjected to new restrictions or conditions upon your return that could affect your ability to re-enter the country and successfully complete your program term. We encourage you to continue to monitor the websites below for up to date information.

Most importantly, speak with your host family about any travel plans you are considering. Discuss together if there are any considerations and risks that traveling would present including the inability to re-enter the U.S. It is also important to remember that your host family may have additional concerns and your decision to travel may have implications on having you continue to be their au pair.

Educational Requirement

We know that many educational courses already in progress will likely transition from classroom to online and that you should continue to attend the online classes and complete the course. If you successfully complete the course, it will count towards your educational requirement. It will temporarily be allowed for you to enroll in online classes if there are no other options available to you in your community. Please note that this is NOT a permanent change in policy on the educational component but is merely a temporary modification until such time as classroom offerings resume.

Monthly Contact

Our LCCs will reach out to you each month to make sure program regulations are being followed and check on your well-being. LCCs may offer a mix of virtual or in-person interactions (as a group with other au pairs or just one-on-one). This monthly contact is a great opportunity to get to know your LCC better and talk about any problems and challenges you may be facing. Should you or your host family have any concerns due to COVID-19, your LCC may exclusively offer video chats or phone calls. We encourage you to speak with your LCC if you have any questions.

Does my child's travel insurance cover medical costs associated with the Coronavirus?

Our au pairs medical costs are covered with their insurance plan. Please ask your child to reach out to Aetna directly with any specific coverage questions – they can find the details on Au Pair Help.