Au Pairing in the UK After Brexit: Your Complete Guide 🇬🇧

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.

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:

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Option 1: Youth Mobility Scheme Visa 🛂 (Official Route)

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

• Application fee: £319 (With Nina.Care this cost is covered by your Host Family)
• 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

🕐Timeline

• You can apply up to 6 months before you travel.
• Most decisions take around 3 weeks after applying.
  

📅 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 2: 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.

Option 3: ETA (Visitor Entry)

Since 2024, many nationalities (including EU/EEA, Switzerland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Monaco, South Korea, and Singapore) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK. Many citizens are still entering the country for a 6 month stay with a family, but before you use this route it is fundamental to be aware of the regulations of the UK government. We don’t advise the route if you plan to be an au pair as it’s officially not the official way.

Note: This is not Au pairing but a cultural exchange and it’s important to follow UK regulations when entering the country

ETA details:

• Cost: £10 (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. 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.

⚠️ Important: The ETA does not allow you to legally work as an au pair. Some au pairs share that they entered this way and described their stay as cultural exchange or tourism. While this happens, make sure to always check official guidance before starting your travels.

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Option 4: 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.

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. We strongly advise following the legal Youth Mobility Visa route for peace of mind.

Quick Comparison: Youth Mobility Visa vs ETA 📊

Which Option Should You Choose?

💼 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.
🌍 ETA / Tourist Entry → Short stays only; not permitted for au pairing.
✨ UK/Irish citizens → Simple and flexible.

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.