Visto n' Visa

Do I need to have the children’s vaccination cards as an Au Pair?

The J-1 visa for Au Pair does not require children''s vaccination cards, but families may request them; maintain open dialogue and follow local regulations for a safe exchange.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on March 7, 2026
2 min read
Share

Many people who want to participate in the Au Pair program often wonder about responsibilities related to the health and care of the host family”s children. These doubts are completely normal, and it is important to clarify that, in general, the J-1 visa requirements for Au Pair do not include the obligation to present the children”s vaccination cards.

Generally, the focus of the Au Pair program requirements is to demonstrate that the candidate meets the specific eligibility criteria for cultural exchange and for assisting the family. This does not imply that you, as an Au Pair, need to possess or present the vaccination records of the host family”s children.

However, it is common for some host families to ask that the children be up to date with their vaccinations, mainly for health reasons, school requirements, or recommendations from the local health service. Therefore, the recommended approach is to have an open conversation with the host family from the beginning to understand their expectations and requirements regarding the care and monitoring of the children”s vaccination history.

Furthermore, it is worth emphasizing the importance of complying with United States immigration laws and the public health regulations of the state where you will work. For this, it is essential to get information through official sources and reliable institutions, avoiding falling for miraculous promises of quick results or approaches by companies or individuals that do not offer transparency and proven experience.

Finally, whenever doubts arise about responsibilities within the Au Pair program or immigration aspects, seek guidance from official sources and specialized professionals to ensure that all requirements are properly and safely met. In this way, you contribute to your own peace of mind and to a more harmonious and successful exchange.

Learn more about J-1

Type
Cultural exchange
Duration
Program duration
2-year rule
Applies in some cases
Processing
2-6 weeks
All about J-1

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.

Victoria's tips

Do I need to have the children’s vaccination cards as an Au Pair?

The J-1 visa for Au Pair does not require children''s vaccination cards, but families may request them; maintain open dialogue and follow local regulations for a safe exchange.

Recommended reading about J-1

More content about J-1