Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't know. My friend in DC said try to find one that is leaving a family that already has friends and a network. I of course want to do it the correct way! Appreciate any advise on this matter!!

I know this thread turned into a discussion about people staying illegally, but if your friend is suggesting the legal way then that makes sense too - she could be suggesting finding an AP who will be extending for one year but is looking for a different family. However, I haven't run into one who was extending in the same geographic region who didn't stay with the current family. APs that extend (legally) tend to look for another part of the country to try out a new experience.

If you are interested in an AP, go through an agency and the process is pretty neat - you will search and interview candidates who would be right for your family and the ages you're looking for childcare for. An AP who is right for a friend's family isn't necessarily right for mine - so just figure out what you are looking for and you will hopefully find the right person!

Ours haven't ever been extension APs with friends already, and it all works out fine - they make friends here.

Anonymous wrote:last time our au pair got a MD driver's license (about a year ago) it was only valid for the time on her visa.

That is the standard way states issue driver's licenses. Maryland is one of 12 states that has a work around for people in the US illegally. The issue is that the state has their name, address, and for the employer there is documentation you were hiring an illegal worker (if AP uses your address) which can mess up any federal job or contracting position/security clearance you may want.

Totally not worth the hassle or messing up a job you may want in 5 to 10 years to save 8k.

last time our au pair got a MD driver's license (about a year ago) it was only valid for the time on her visa.

Note that the OP maybe looking at an extension au pair (which is legal, but yes, she will need to go through an agency) or an au pair that wants to overstay her visa and go 'off-book' (which isn't legal). If it is the second instance, knowingly helpful could potentially get the host family in trouble. If the first, yes there are families that seek out an au pair first and then join the appropriate agency and state they have pre-arranged the agreement.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to go though an agency.
If your friend is suggesting you take an AP over staying her visa that is a terrible idea. Will save you money, but AP cannot drive legally or anything else. And Current president does not appear to like expired visas and working on them.

Of course they can drive legally if they have a drivers lic. Out staying a visa is illegal as far as immigration is concerned but that doesnt mean they cant drive.

Not sure what state you are in - Virginia your license is only valid as long as your visa. APs on travel month cannot legally drive here.

Really? In MD when you get a license its for the normal duration, 5 years I think.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to go though an agency.
If your friend is suggesting you take an AP over staying her visa that is a terrible idea. Will save you money, but AP cannot drive legally or anything else. And Current president does not appear to like expired visas and working on them.

Huh? People do this all the time. You get an extension AP or a rematch. We just brought on an extension AP for 6 months to get is through the summer before we are done with the program.

So how do you get their visa extended? you send them back to home country and bring them back? Or do you just do it illegally on an expired visa?

Its a whole rigmarole because they come in a J1 Visa and have to study while they are here. All done thru the agencies. Unless you are ok with her being here illegally you will end up paying a fortune in fees.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to go though an agency.
If your friend is suggesting you take an AP over staying her visa that is a terrible idea. Will save you money, but AP cannot drive legally or anything else. And Current president does not appear to like expired visas and working on them.

Huh? People do this all the time. You get an extension AP or a rematch. We just brought on an extension AP for 6 months to get is through the summer before we are done with the program.

So how do you get their visa extended? you send them back to home country and bring them back? Or do you just do it illegally on an expired visa?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to go though an agency.
If your friend is suggesting you take an AP over staying her visa that is a terrible idea. Will save you money, but AP cannot drive legally or anything else. And Current president does not appear to like expired visas and working on them.

Of course they can drive legally if they have a drivers lic. Out staying a visa is illegal as far as immigration is concerned but that doesnt mean they cant drive.

Not sure what state you are in - Virginia your license is only valid as long as your visa. APs on travel month cannot legally drive here.

Anonymous wrote:You have to go though an agency.
If your friend is suggesting you take an AP over staying her visa that is a terrible idea. Will save you money, but AP cannot drive legally or anything else. And Current president does not appear to like expired visas and working on them.

Of course they can drive legally if they have a drivers lic. Out staying a visa is illegal as far as immigration is concerned but that doesnt mean they cant drive.

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't know. My friend in DC said try to find one that is leaving a family that already has friends and a network. I of course want to do it the correct way! Appreciate any advise on this matter!!

Your friend is telling you to hire someone who is supposed to be leaving the country and therefore staying in the US illegally. Not judging that but thats what it sounds like youre trying to do.

Anonymous wrote:You have to go though an agency.
If your friend is suggesting you take an AP over staying her visa that is a terrible idea. Will save you money, but AP cannot drive legally or anything else. And Current president does not appear to like expired visas and working on them.

Huh? People do this all the time. You get an extension AP or a rematch. We just brought on an extension AP for 6 months to get is through the summer before we are done with the program.

You have to go though an agency.
If your friend is suggesting you take an AP over staying her visa that is a terrible idea. Will save you money, but AP cannot drive legally or anything else. And Current president does not appear to like expired visas and working on them.

Check out these FB groups:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/409410569222891/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Aupairrematchandextension/

I honestly don't know. My friend in DC said try to find one that is leaving a family that already has friends and a network. I of course want to do it the correct way! Appreciate any advise on this matter!!

Don't you have to go through an agency for an Au pair?

Looking for AP...moving in the next month to Arlington or McLean. We have 2 girls ages 4 and 3. Would appreciate any feedback/reference for your AP. Please email me at Susannehjones@gmail.com or post on this forum.

Thank you!