Extension Information
Although the Extension Program is essentially the same as the regular full year program, there are some differences with which LCCs should be familiar.
Length
Au pairs can extend for either 6, 9 or 12 months. Au pairs can only extend one time and once the extension length is chosen and requested it can not be changed.
Deadlines
Au pairs extending with the same family must submit their extension application online 60 days prior to the end of an au pairs’ first year. Au pairs extending to a new family must apply online by 75 days prior to the end of the au pair’s first year. If an au pair or host family misses the deadlines mentioned, it still may be possible to extend and the au pair should contact our office at 800-333-6056 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800-333-6056 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or by email extend@culturalcare.com.
Au Pair Extension Fee
Au pairs must pay a $283 Extension Processing Fee, a non-refundable payment due when sending in Extension Enrollment paperwork. This fee will be paid to the U.S. State Department to request the program extension ($233 US Department of State fee + $50 Cultural Care administrative fee).
Host Family Program Fees 2011
Host families keeping their au pair pay discounted program fees:
- 6-month program fee with Extension Discount: $3,195
- 9-month program fee with Extension Discount: $4,445
- 12-month program fee with Extension Discount: $5,645
Host families are only eligible for the discounted program fee if the au pair with
whom they are extending arrived to the family’s home more than 30 weeks before the end of his or her first year legal departure date.
Educational Component
An au pair must complete his or her educational component requirement in their first year by the end of their 11th month. Au pairs who wish to extend do not have the full 12 months to complete the educational component. Cultural Care must submit all extension requests to the Department of State at least 30 days before the end of the au pair’s first year, and extension requests cannot be submitted without proof that the educational component is complete. There are no exceptions to this requirement, therefore au pairs who are thinking of extending should try to take classes as early as possible in the first year.
If an au pair is not done with classes by 60/75 day extension deadline Cultural Care must receive proof of registration to a course that ends by the end of the 11th month. If au pair’s 11th month date falls on Saturday or Sunday she/he must complete her/his education by previous Thursday. Once the classes are finished we must receive proof of completion so the extension request can be submitted to the US Department of State. Education Deadline Sheet
If an au pair is finishing classes close to the extension request deadline (30 days before au pair year end) and is waiting for the school paperwork, we may use a “verbal class completion confirmation” for the classes. Au pair must then send proof of completion before she/he is able to start her extension term.
9- & 12-month extension au pairs must take 6 credits in their extension program term, and the host family is responsible for up to $500. 6-month extension au pairs must take 3 credits in their extension program term and the host family is responsible for up to $250. Au pairs can not “carry over” extra educational credits earned from their first year into their extension term.
Vacation
9- & 12-month extension au pairs receive two weeks (14 days) of paid and 6-month extension au pairs receive one week (7 days) of paid vacation during their extension.
Travel
Because the visa is expired during the extension term the travel is restricted and extension au pairs can travel to Mexico, Canada and the adjacent islands without having to renew their J1 visa first. While it is legal for an au pair to extend without renewing the J-1 visa, travel is limited unless the visa is renewed in the home country (the j-1 visa cannot be obtained in the United States). Au pairs can travel outside of the continental U.S. during their second year as long as they travel to the US embassy in their home country to renew their J-1 visa before attempting to reenter the US. Au pairs must contact the Au Pair Services Team immediately if they are thinking about traveling and read the travel and visa renewal information on Au Pair InfoSource to ensure they are properly prepared and have all necessary documents before embarking on their trip.
Extended Insurance
Each extension au pair automatically has Basic Insurance during the extension term. However, we strongly recommend au pairs purchase the Extended Insurance. The Extended Insurance package must be purchased before the start of the extension period through the Au Pair store on their online account or by calling the Operations department.
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