Can I be an Au Pair and then change to an H-1B visa?

Yes, it is possible to go from the Au Pair program (a category under the J visa) to the H-1B, but this is not an automatic transition. The J-Au Pair exists to promote cultural and language exchange, allowing young people to live temporarily in the United States, while the H-1B is aimed at professionals in specialty occupations.

To make the switch, you need a job offer from an employer willing to sponsor you and file the H-1B petition, with the position qualifying as a specialty occupation. In other words, the transition depends on factors beyond your own desire to change status.

There is also a requirement specific to the J visa: depending on the program and how it was funded, the visa holder may be subject to a requirement to return and reside in their home country for a period before assuming certain statuses in the U.S. When this applies, obtaining a waiver is typically necessary before moving forward.

• The transition depends on sponsorship and a petition from an employer.
• The position must qualify as a specialty occupation.
• A waiver of the home-country residence requirement may be needed.

Since every case is unique, it is worth planning ahead and confirming your situation with USCIS and an immigration professional before counting on the change.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.