Dreaming of tea time, red buses, and weekend trips to London (yes please 🙋‍♀️)? If you’re wondering whether au pairing in the UK is still possible after Brexit, the answer is: yes! 🎉 But the rules have changed, and it’s important to understand your options before packing your bags.

Most of the UK families now choose to host a “friend of the family” who does not travel on the au pair visa as this is now so difficult and requires minimum wage. This ETA entry is only possible from European countries, US New Zealand and some more. Full list of countries velow.

Please note: we always recommend following the official guidance on the UK government website.

Watch this video for more information on au pairs and entering the UK after Brexit:

Quick overview of regulations in the UK

Official Au Pair Visa	No (Either ETA(most common), Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, or Visa free [only for UK or Irish citizens])
Typical Age	18-35
Working Hours	30-35 hours per week
Pocketmoney	£360 per month
Days off	2 continuous days per week
Holiday	2 weeks paid holidays for a 6 month placement
Accommodation	Private room with host family
Meals	At least 3 meals per day provided

Au Pair Requirements

Age: 18–35 years old
Hours: 30–35 hours/week
Days off: 2 continuous days per week
Holiday: 2 weeks paid holidays for a span of 6 Month placement
Room and food provided by family

Host Family Requirements

Spare private bedroom for Au pair
Provide at least 3 meals per day
Set up and sign contract with au pair (We provide a template)
Optional contribution to travel costs & language course

Visa Options for Au Pairs in the UK

There is currently no dedicated Au Pair visa in the UK. Instead, au pairs must enter using other visa routes.

The most common options are:

• Visitor Entry (ETA)
• UK or Irish citizenship

Other options also include:

• Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
• Skilled Worker Visa (for professional childcare roles)

Option 1: ETA (Visitor Entry)

Most families use this ETA entry. ETA Costs: £20 (apply here)

Stay: up to 6 months

Purpose: tourism, visiting family/friends, or short study

If you enter the country the border police will check if you have a return ticket, but it is allowed to have a flexible booking date. You can expect extra questions if you travel with big luggage and they will ask you where you want to stay and what your plans are to visit the UK.

Traveling to the UK as a visitor? Our free preparation guide includes a complete border entry checklist, real-life examples of successful and denied entries, and the exact phrases to use (and avoid) when speaking with UK immigration officers.

If you enter the country the border police will check if you have a return ticket, but it is allowed to have a flexible booking date. You can expect extra questions if you travel with big luggage and they will ask you where you want to stay and what your plans are to visit the UK. If you travel with other plans, then being a tourist and mention you will work but you dont have a work or au apir visa there is the risk you are sent back at the border so be aware of this. If you are literally just there for a cultural exchange and see the country then this is oke of course.

Traveling to the UK as a visitor? Our free preparation guide includes a complete border entry checklist, real-life examples of successful and denied entries, and the exact phrases to use (and avoid) when speaking with UK immigration officers. Be prepared and travel with confidence.

As of April 2026, the UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is now mandatory for all non-visa nationals.

If your country is on the list below, you do not need a traditional visa for a holiday, but you must apply for and receive an ETA before you arrive at the airport, or you will be denied boarding.

🌍 The Full List of ETA-Eligible Countries

As of the latest update on April 8, 2026, these are the countries whose citizens can travel to the UK with an ETA:

Europe All EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

Other European Nations: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican City.

The Americas North America: Canada, Mexico, United States.

Central America & Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Panama, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay.

(Note: Colombia was removed from the list in late 2024 and now requires a standard visa).

Asia & Middle East Middle East (GCC): Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.

Asia: Brunei, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Japan, Macao (SAR), Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan (with ID number).

Oceania & Others Oceania: Australia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu.

Africa: Mauritius, Seychelles.

🛑 Who is NOT on this list?

If your country is not listed above (e.g., India, China, South Africa, Nigeria, Colombia, or Venezuela), you generally need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa instead.

🔑 Final Reminders for 2026

Ireland: Irish citizens are the only ones exempt from the ETA requirement due to the Common Travel Area.

Transit: You need an ETA even if you are just transiting (changing planes) and going through border control.

Validity: Your ETA is valid for 2 years and allows multiple trips.

Here is the full list of countries whose citizens can travel to the UK using an ETA, as of April 15, 2026.

These are listed one under the other, organized by region.

Europe

Andorra

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Italy

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Monaco

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

San Marino

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Vatican City

The Americas

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

The Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Costa Rica

Grenada

Guatemala

Guyana

Mexico

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

St Kitts and Nevis

St Vincent and the Grenadines

United States

Uruguay

Asia & Middle East

Bahrain

Brunei

Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region)

Israel

Japan

Kuwait

Macao (Special Administrative Region)

Malaysia

Maldives

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

South Korea

Taiwan (Must have an ID number on passport)

United Arab Emirates

Oceania

Australia

Kiribati

Marshall Islands

Micronesia

New Zealand

Palau

Papua New Guinea

Samoa

Solomon Islands

Tonga

Tuvalu

Africa

Mauritius

Seychelles

⚠️ Important Recent Changes (2025–2026)

Botswana, Colombia, Nicaragua, St Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago have been removed from the ETA list. Citizens of these countries now require a Standard Visitor Visa.

Ireland: Irish citizens are exempt and do not need an ETA.

British Overseas Territories: If you hold a BOTC passport, you do not need an ETA.`

Option 2: Au Pairing as a UK or Irish Citizen 🇬🇧🇮🇪

If you hold UK or Irish citizenship, you’re in luck!

• No visa required
• No savings requirements
• No travel restrictions

This is the simplest option for exploring different regions of the UK while enjoying cultural exchange with a host family.

Option 3: Youth Mobility Scheme Visa 🛂

This is the official route for au pairing in the UK.

Who can apply?

Citizens of:

• Australia (18–35)
• Canada (18–35)
• New Zealand (18–35)
• South Korea (18–35)
• Andorra (18–30)
• Iceland (18–30)
• Japan (18–30)
• Monaco (18–30)
• San Marino (18–30)
• Uruguay (18–30)

If you are a citizen of India, you hold an education qualification equal to or above RQF level 6 or have a minimum of three years’ work experience in a professional role equivalent to an eligible occupation listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations.

What to Expect

✅ A formal employment contract
✅ Host family as your legal employer
✅ At least UK minimum wage (labour law applies)

12–24 month Pocket money

👉 Translation: this option makes au pairing more like a “real job,” with rights and protections on both sides. Perfect if you want structure and security.

Costs of the Youth Mobility Visa 💸

• Application fee: £319 (Some host families offer to cover this cost partially, but usually the au pair pays this visa fee)
• Healthcare surcharge: £776 per year
  • This must be paid upfront
  • At Nina.Care we encourage your Host Family to cover part of the costs
  • Good to know: If you stay less than 2 years, you can reclaim the difference
• Savings requirement: at least £2,530 in your account when applying
• Travel costs: Optionally the host can (partially) cover the arrival and departure travel costs of the au pair
• Room & Meals: Au pair needs to have their own private room and access to at least 3 meals per day
• Optionally the host can offer to cover costs for a language course
• Optionally the host can offer to contribute to a monthly local transport subscription

How Long Can You Stay?

Standard stay: up to 24 months

Australians, Canadians, and New Zealanders can extend for an extra year.

👉 Great option if you want stability, longer stay, and full work rights.

Requirements for a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

In order to qualify for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You are aged between 18 and 30 (or 18 and 35 for Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and Republic of Korea nationals) on the date of the application.
• You are a citizen of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Iceland, Monaco, Andorra, Uruguay, Taiwan, or San Marino or are a British Overseas citizen, British Overseas Territories citizen or British National (Overseas).
• If you are a citizen of India, you hold an education qualification equal to or above RQF level 6 or have a minimum of three years’ work experience in a professional role equivalent to an eligible occupation listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
• You have funds of £2,530 which you have held for a 28 day period within the 31 days before your application.
• You do not have any children under 18 who are living with you or are financially dependent on you.
• You have not previously been in the UK on the Youth Mobility Scheme route.
• You have paid the visa application fee and Immigration Health Charge and provided any required biometric information.
• You have taken a tuberculosis test, if required.
• You do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.
• The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
• To discuss your Youth Mobility Scheme visa application with one of the immigration barristers, contact the Youth Mobility Scheme visa lawyers on 0203 617 9173 and read more here on the government website.

Option 4: Skilled Worker Visa (Childcare or Nanny Roles) 💼

Some au pairs and nannies are now sponsored by families or agencies through the UK Skilled Worker Visa. This visa allows foreign workers to live and work in the UK if they have a sponsoring employer and a job that meets certain requirements.

What You Need to Know

✅ Your employer (family or agency) must be a licensed UK sponsor
✅ The job must meet the minimum salary threshold (usually £23,200+ per year for childcare roles, depending on duties and hours)
✅ You’ll need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
✅ You can apply for up to 5 years and extend

Costs

Application fee: usually £719–£1,500 depending on stay length (apply here)

Healthcare surcharge: £776 per year

You may also need to prove savings or accommodation support from your sponsor.

👉 This option suits experienced au pairs, nannies, or childcare professionals who want a more formal career role with a longer-term stay.

⚠️ Note: Most typical “au pair” placements don’t meet Skilled Worker requirements unless the host family or agency is a registered sponsor. Always check with your prospective employer and verify their sponsor licence on the official list.

Timeline of the Process 🕐

FAQs & Grey Area Experiences

Some au pairs shared their experiences when entering on an ETA or tourist status. Again, this is not an official recommendation, just what others reported:

What questions do border officers ask?

• “Do you have a ticket to leave the country?”
  👉 Many au pairs booked a return flight with a flexible date and later changed it. Officially, this is not allowed.
• “Why are you visiting?”
  👉 Au pairs often said “tourism” or “visiting friends/family” rather than mentioning work. Calling yourself an au pair at the border can raise red flags.
• Luggage checks:
  👉 Large suitcases may suggest you’re staying long-term. This can lead to extra questioning about your visa status.

How risky is it?

Some au pairs reported smooth entry, while others faced long interviews. Experiences can differ depending on the officer.

Quick Comparison: Youth Mobility Visa vs ETA 📊

Which Option Should You Choose?

🌍 ETA / Tourist Entry → Short stays only; not for au pairing.
✨ UK/Irish citizens → Simple and flexible.
💼 Youth Mobility Visa → Best for young people seeking a cultural and work experience.
👩‍👧 Skilled Worker Visa → Best for professional childcare roles and long-term stays.

At Nina.Care, we want to make sure your au pair journey is safe, smooth, and fun. That’s why we recommend following official UK government regulations, so you can focus on the exciting part: starting your UK adventure.