State Department Nixes New Au Pair Visa Program Sponsor Groups

The State Department will reject new au pair program sponsor organizations or program expansions for existing sponsors, according to a public notice released Thursday.

The moratorium will restrict the summer exchange program to its existing calendar year 2019 participant levels, and will be effective immediately upon the notice’s publication in the Federal Register, which is scheduled for Friday. There are 15 organizations on the State Department’s current designated sponsor list.

The J-1 visa is supposed to promote cultural exchange between the U.S. and other countries. In addition to au pairs, J-1 visas also go to camp counselors, physicians, teachers, ...