What to do if au pair can’t go home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a 2nd year AP from South Africa. She's on a 6 month extension now, due to go back in January. The only flights are the repatriation flights which are very expensive. She can't pay for it, and I certainly don't want her to have to stay any longer as she really wants to go home after 2.5 years. I guess this means we will just have to fork over the $$. Right? What can we expect the agency to do, if anything, to help?

To be clear, we'd love for her to stay. Just not sure it's what she would want at this point, and we want to support her decision. She is also super bummed she can't do her travel month. I feel horribly that her AP experience has ended in this way, as she's been a real gift to our family.

Doesn't the agency pay for her flight home?

[Anonymous]

The agency has to get her home. I have heard that au pairs (or host families) need to pay for repatriation flights up front but they will be reimbursed by the agency.

In any case - why not ask the agency?

Despite closed borders the process to get our Colombian au pair home was quite simple.

[Anonymous]

Is she from Thailand?

If that the case, have her write directly to the Thai embassy and Call the Thai embassy hotline.
Explain in the letter that her employment has come to an end, as well as her visa. This is a good reason for her to be on the priority list. ( she can email in Thai) .