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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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The Trump administration has unveiled proposed changes to the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program that could affect thousands of au pairs and the American families who host them, with new requirements for program extensions and stricter rules governing participants' status in the United States.
The proposal, put forward by the U.S. State Department, would update decades-old regulations governing J-1 visa holders. Among the most significant changes for au pairs, sponsors would be required to seek extensions at least 90 days before a participant's program expires, replacing a separate au pair-specific process that currently allows requests as little as 30 days before the end of an initial stay.
The proposed rule forms part of a broader Trump administration effort to tighten oversight of temporary visa programs while streamlining regulations that officials say are outdated and designed for a paper-based era before the creation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
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Newsweek reached out to the State Department and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment.
What Is Changing for Au Pairs?
The proposed changes would:
- Require au pair extension requests to be filed 90 days in advance.
- Keep existing 6-, 9-, and 12-month extension options.
- Require sponsors to verify completion of educational requirements.
- Allow termination for unauthorized work, false information, or visa revocation.
- Give participants 10 days to challenge certain termination decisions.
- Create stricter administrative tracking and compliance requirements through SEVIS.
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Au pairs are granted status in the U.S. through the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, which allows young people from abroad to live with American families while providing childcare and engaging in cultural exchange.
Under the proposed regulation, the State Department would eliminate a standalone extension provision that currently applies only to au pairs and instead place them under the same extension framework used across the wider J-1 program. Sponsors seeking an extension beyond an au pair's initial year would have to submit requests through SEVIS and provide supporting documentation at least three months before the desired extension period begins.
The agency said the change is designed to create consistency across exchange visitor categories and aligns with President Donald Trump's broader deregulation and government-efficiency initiatives.
Although the separate extension provision would be removed, au pairs would still be able to seek six-, nine- or 12-month extensions beyond their initial year, provided sponsors submit the required paperwork and verify that educational requirements have been completed.
New Compliance and Status Rules
The proposal also gives the State Department expanded authority to terminate a participant's exchange program in certain circumstances.
Under the new rules, exchange visitors could face termination if they engage in unauthorized employment, provide false information during the application process, or if their visa is revoked by the State Department or Department of Homeland Security. Participants would receive written notice and have an opportunity to challenge a proposed termination before a final decision is issued.
Officials said the updates are intended to strengthen "visitor welfare, program integrity, and national security."
The proposal would also introduce new definitions for "unauthorized employment" and "valid program status," while creating a streamlined process for correcting administrative errors in SEVIS records. Sponsors would generally have 30 days to fix record issues before needing to seek formal reinstatement from the State Department.
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Why It Matters to Host Families
The changes arrive after a period of uncertainty for the au pair program under the second Trump administration.
In 2025, the State Department temporarily paused some visa processing for J-1 exchange visitors as officials reviewed screening procedures. The move raised concerns among families relying on foreign au pairs for childcare and among exchange-program advocates who warned that delays could disrupt travel plans and leave parents scrambling for alternatives.
According to figures previously cited by Exchange Visitor Program advocates, more than 21,000 au pairs participated in the U.S. program in 2023, while roughly 348,000 people entered the country through various J-1 categories that year.
Supporters argue the program provides a crucial childcare option for many working families while promoting cultural exchange. Critics have called for stronger oversight and compliance measures within parts of the broader J-1 system.
What Happens Next?
The State Department is accepting public comments on the proposal for 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register on Thursday, before deciding whether to finalize the rule.
If adopted, the changes would affect designated sponsor organizations that administer the au pair program, current participants seeking extensions, and host families planning for a second year with an au pair.
For families considering an extension, the biggest practical impact could be the new 90-day filing timeline, which would require decisions about extending an au pair's stay significantly earlier than under the current rules.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gabe Whisnant and Sam Wilson.
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