Becoming an Au Pair & Visa
Becoming an au pair in Europe from Africa or the Philippines
AuPair Connect — Équipe Conformité · Last updated 12 September 2026 · Reviewed by TSO
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Thousands of au pairs move from South Africa, Kenya and the Philippines to Europe every year. The legal path depends on your nationality and destination: this guide explains the three gates to clear before you book anything.
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The three gates you must clear
Whatever your destination, three independent requirements decide whether you can legally start. Prepare them in this order, because each one can block the next.
- 1. A signed au pair hosting agreement with a verified family.
- 2. The correct visa or residence permit for your nationality and destination.
- 3. Exit clearance from your home country where it applies to minors.
The visa or residence permit
EU/EEA nationals do not need a visa for an au pair stay in another EU/EEA country. Non-EU/EEA nationals generally need a long-stay visa, and the required route (au pair, student, or another category) varies by destination country. Always verify on the official immigration portal of the country you are moving to.
- Check the destination country’s dedicated au pair visa route first.
- Apply from your country of residence, not after arrival.
- Budget time: processing can take several weeks to months.
- Documents usually include the hosting agreement, proof of accommodation and health cover.
Exit clearance for minors
Travelling as a minor involves home-country exit rules that are easy to overlook. South Africa requires parental consent and, in many cases, an unabridged birth certificate. The Philippines requires clearance from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) for certain au pair and exchange placements.
- South Africa: parental consent, unabridged birth certificate and possible travel documents.
- Philippines: CFO registration and pre-departure orientation where applicable.
- Kenya: check the current passport, age and guardianship requirements before booking.
- Get everything checked by the relevant authority, never by a paid “agent” alone.
Protect yourself from visa scams
Placements across continents attract fraud. No legitimate family or agency guarantees a visa, and no real visa route requires an upfront “processing” payment to a private individual.
- No one can guarantee a visa: it is granted by the state, not by an employer.
- Never pay a private “agent” to secure a visa or a family placement.
- Verify the family on video calls and ask for references before signing.
- Check every requirement on the official government website of the destination.
Prepared by AuPair Connect — Compliance Team
Every legal, tax or safety detail in this content is verified by the AuPair Connect Compliance Team against official sources and dated.
Notice anything inaccurate or out of date? Help us keep this content up to date by writing to hello@aupairconnect.app.