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Au pair

You want to live as an au pair with a host family in the Netherlands. You need a residence permit in order to live in the Netherlands as an au pair. What are the conditions for this residence permit? And how does the application procedure work?

Other conditions may apply to persons with the nationality of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.

Conditions

There are certain conditions that apply to everyone. In addition to these conditions, you and your host family have to meet the following conditions:

  • You are going to live in the Netherlands temporarily under an exchange programme as an au pair via a recognised au pair agency.
  • You are 18 years of age or older, but younger than 31 years of age.
  • You did not sign a contract with a host family, Dutch or foreign intermediary agency or au pair agency under which you are obliged to pay money or a fine if you fail to perform all or parts of the contract.
  • You did not pay a sum of money as deposit to a Dutch or foreign intermediary agency or au pair agency.
  • You will not be carrying out work for people who are in need of more specialised care. More specialised care means care duties that require specific skills.
  • You and the host family are not family members in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree.
  • You did not pay more than €34 in costs for the preparations for your stay in the Netherlands.
  • You have not had a residence permit for exchange purposes in the Netherlands before.
  • You are going to live with the host family. You register with the municipality as living at the address of the host family.
  • Your host family is registered in the Netherlands in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP) of the municipality where they live.
  • Your host family is composed of 2 or more persons. These persons have Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit for the Netherlands.
  • You have not worked for the host family in the Netherlands or abroad before.
  • You work as an au pair for a maximum of 8 hours per day and a maximum of 30 hours per week. You have at least 2 days off per week.
  • You only perform light domestic work for the host family.
  • You and the host family draw up a daily work routine for all 7 days of the week. You and the family sign this daily work routine. The daily work routine must contain at least the following:
    • how many hours the au pair will do light domestic work;
    • which 2 days in the week the au pair is off;
    • who performs light domestic work in addition to the au pair. Another person must be stated.

  • Your host family must have an independent sufficient and sustainable income. 

Other conditions may apply for Turkish nationals and their family members.

Online application

Your au pair agency can submit this application online. Please use the Business Portal.

Online application

Costs

This application costs € 285.

Checklist for documents

The au pair agency has a list of documents that you need.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

 

Steps in the application procedure

1. Submit application and payment

To travel to the Netherlands, you need a provisional residence permit (mvv). The mvv is a sticker that the Dutch representation places in the passport. In some cases, you do not need an mvv.

Only a recognised au pair agency may submit the application for an au pair residence permit. A recognised au pair agency has made an agreement with the IND and is listed in the Public Register of Recognised Sponsors.

The au pair agency will check if you and the host family meet the conditions for the au pair residence permit. For this, the au pair agency will need documents from you and the host family. The au pair agency will store these documents. Some documents are sent to the IND.

The au pair agency applies for the mvv and the residence permit for you at the same time. For this, it uses the application form. Your au pair agency can find the form at the bottom of this page. In the application form, the au pair agency will state if you and the host family meet the conditions. Your au pair agency will send the application form together with the required documents to the IND by post. Or your au pair agency submits a digital application.

The IND collects the costs of the application from your au pair agency.

2. Receipt and check application

​Your au pair agency will get a confirmation letter once the IND has received the application. The confirmation letter states the date the IND has received your application. It also states the period within which the IND makes a decision. The IND will then check to see if the application is complete.

3. Decision

​The IND checks the application submitted by the au pair agency. The IND has to make a decision within a period of 90 days. The IND tries to process the application from a recognised sponsor within 2 weeks. In that case, however, your application sent by the au pair agency must be complete. If the application is not complete, it will take more than 2 weeks to process the application.

  • Negative decision
    If you, the host family or the au pair agency do not meet the conditions, you will not get an mvv nor a residence permit. This decision is given in the formal decision. The IND sends the decision by post. You can apply for a review of this decision.
  • Positive decision
    If you, the host family and the au pair agency meet all the conditions, you will get an mvv and a residence permit. The IND will inform your au pair agency about this decision. The IND also informs the Dutch representation.

4. Collect mvv

You collect the mvv from the Dutch representation that your au pair agency filled in on the application form.

You have 3 months to collect the mvv. Please make an appointment for this with the representation. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months on the day you get the mvv.

You have to give your biometric information upon collecting the mvv.

5. Travel to the Netherlands

​Once you have collected your mvv, you can travel to the Netherlands. The mvv is valid for 90 days. The validity is shown on the mvv sticker. The mvv sticker shows 2 dates:

  • Effective date: as of this date the mvv is valid.
  • End date: as of this date the mvv is no longer valid.
The mvv allows you to travel within the Schengen Area.

Steps in the application procedure

1. Submit application and payment

You do not need a visa to travel to the Netherlands. You can apply for the residence permit directly.

Only a recognised au pair agency may submit the application for an au pair residence permit. A recognised au pair agency has made an agreement with the IND and is listed in the Public Register of Recognised Sponsors.

The au pair agency will check if you and the host family meet the conditions for the au pair residence permit. For this, the au pair agency will need documents from you and the host family. The au pair agency will store these documents. Some documents are sent to the IND.

The au pair agency applies for the residence permit for you. For this, it uses the application form. Your au pair agency can find the form at the bottom of this page. In the application form, the au pair agency will state if you and the host family meet the conditions. Your au pair agency will send the application form together with the required documents to the IND by post. Or your au pair agency submits a digital application.

The IND will collect the fees from your au pair agency.

2. Receipt and check application

​Your au pair agency will get a confirmation letter once the IND has received the application. The confirmation letter states the date the IND has received your application. It also states the period within which the IND makes a decision. The IND will then check to see if the application is complete.

3. Decision

The IND checks the application submitted by the au pair agency. The IND has to make a decision within a period of 90 days. The IND tries to process the application from a recognised sponsor within 2 weeks. In that case, however, your application sent by the au pair agency must be complete. If the application is not complete, it will take more than 2 weeks to process the application.

  • Negative decision
    If you, the host family or the au pair agency do not meet the conditions, you will not get a residence permit. This decision is given in the formal decision. The IND sends the decision by post. You can apply for a review of this decision.
  • Positive decision
    If you, the host family and the au pair agency meet all the conditions, you will get a residence permit.

Are you still abroad? Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you have to go to an IND desk to give the biometric information.

Application forms and costs
Application form for the purpose of residence of Exchange - au pair7502

The au pair agency uses this form to submit your application. Your au pair agency can also start the application online.

Checklist documents

The au pair agency has a list of documents that you need.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

Costs application

This application costs € 285.

  • Are you from San Marino or Israel? Based on the Benelux Treaty you do not pay for the application.
  • Do you have the Turkish nationality? Your application costs € 66.​​​​​

Apply online  Download  

Application forms and costs
Application form for the purpose of residence of Exchange - au pair7502

The au pair agency uses this form to submit your application. Your au pair agency can also start the application online.

Checklist documents

The au pair agency has a list of documents that you need.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

Costs application

This application costs € 285.

  • Do you have the Turkish nationality? Your application costs € 57.​​​​​

Apply online  Download  

After the application

Collect your residence permit

The IND aims to have your residence permit ready within 2 weeks following your arrival in the Netherlands. The IND will send your au pair agency a letter to inform you when you can collect the residence permit. For this, you have to make an appointment online at the IND desk stated in the letter. Keep in mind that it is not always possible to visit an IND desk at short notice. Therefore, please schedule an appointment in time, but at least within 4 months after having received the letter.

Check to see if the information on the residence permit is correct while you are still at the IND desk. If something is incorrect, inform the IND staff member at once.

The residence permit for a stay as an au pair is valid for 1 year.

Registration with the municipality

Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you must register in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BPR)  in the municipality you are going to live.

To register with the municipality you need a legalised and translated  birth certificate. Take this therefore with you when you travel to the Netherlands.

TB test

You have indicated your intent to undergo a tuberculosis test (TB test) when you applied. You have to make an appointment for this with the Area Health Authority (GGD). You do this within 3 months after having received your residence permit. Please take the 'TB test referral form' with you to the appointment.

In some cases you are exempt from taking a TB test.

Take out health insurance

Anyone living in the Netherlands must take out health insurance. You do this within 4 months following your arrival in the Netherlands.

Validity residence permit

The residence permit for a stay as an au pair is valid for 1 year. 

Right to work

The back of your residence permit shows if you are allowed to work. With the au pair residence permit, you are only allowed to work as an au pair in the host family and at the address of the host family. You are not allowed to work for a second host family or an employer. Your residence permit states 'TWV niet vereist voor specifieke arbeid, andere arbeid niet toegestaan'.

Legal obligations / complaints

There are a number of legal obligations that apply to you, your host family and your au pair agency. 

The IND monitors your compliance with these legal obligations. Failure to meet these legal obligations may have consequences.

Do you have a complaint about your host family? For example, do you not hold your own passport? Or do you have to perform (light domestic) work other than agreed upon or for more hours than agreed upon? Try to solve the problems in consultation with your host family first. If this is unsuccessful, contact your au pair agency. If the au pair agency is unable or unwilling to help you, you should call the au pair information line. The telephone number is +31(0)6-10 82 35 94.

In serious cases, e.g. in case of abuse or exploitation, you can also call the information line directly. Or you go to the police.

Further applications (extend or change) / return visa

Replacement of residence permit

Is your residence permit damaged, lost or stolen? In that case, have the residence permit replaced.

Extend residence permit

You cannot extend your au pair residence permit.

Change residence permit

Has something changed in your situation that influences your residence permit? Please report this immediately to the IND. It may mean that, due to the changes in your situation, the residence permit has to be changed.

Return visa

If you are awaiting a procedure, you do not have a valid residence document at present and you wish to travel outside the Netherlands, you may need a return visa to re-enter the Netherlands. This could be the case if your current residence permit is no longer valid or your current residence permit will expire during your stay outside of the Netherlands. To apply for a return visa you must meet certain conditions. ​

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Family members in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree

​Family members up to and including the 3rd degree are parents, children, brothers and sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles and aunts, nephews and nieces, cousins, great-grandparents and great-grandchildren.

Provisional residence permit (mvv)

​The provisional residence permit (mvv) is a visa you need if you wish to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days. For more information, check Regular provisional residence permit (mvv).

Dutch representation

​This is the Dutch embassy or consulate.

formal decision

​A formal letter with the decision on your application.

TWV

​A TWV is a work permit. The employer applies for a TWV with UWV (Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency). UWV examines among other things if there is no employee with the Dutch, EU/EEA or Swiss nationality that is qualified for the job.