How to Sponsor a Nanny or Domestic Worker for a US Visa

Moving to the United States can be an exciting adventure, but it also means dealing with complicated immigration rules, especially if you want to bring along trusted domestic help like a nanny or housekeeper.

Many people find it challenging to understand US visa requirements and wonder if options like the J-1 Au Pair program or the B-1 domestic worker visa are suitable for their situation and visa category.

At Deel, we are here to help. We guide employers and their reliable home support through the process with our expertise in US immigration. In this straightforward guide, we will cover:

• Hosting Au Pairs under the J-1 visa for US citizens and green card holders
• Bringing nannies and domestic workers on a B-1 visa for temporary non-immigrant visa holders (like O-1, H-1B, and L-1 visas)

With Deel’s expertise, you will gain a clear understanding of how to streamline this process. We aim to give you peace of mind, confidence in your compliance, and the ability to smoothly include essential household support as you settle into your life and career in the US.

Pathway 1: Hosting an Au Pair on a J-1 visa (for US citizens & green card holders)

Who can host?

Only US citizens or legal permanent residents (green card holders) are eligible to host an au pair through a J-1 visa program.

Requirements to host an au pair include:

• Reside in one of the designated service areas (cluster areas) in the the US
• Provide a private room, three meals a day, and including the au pair in family life
• Limit childcare hours (45 hours/week standard, 30 hours/week for EduCare)
• Provide paid vacation and meeting education and cultural exchange components
• Include the au pair in family activities, meals, holidays, and events
• Enroll the au pair in monthly meetings and participate in an annual host family workshop
• Have a parent or responsible adult home during the first three days of training
• Ensure the au pair does not care for children under three months of age alone

Important: Non-immigrant visa holders (such as O-1, H-1B, L-1, etc.) cannot host an au pair under this program.

See also: A Guide to US Permanent Residency with an Employment-based Green Card

Pathway 2: Sponsoring a nanny or domestic worker on a B-1 visa (for temporary visa holders)

Who qualifies?

Non-immigrant visa holders in categories B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q, or TN (including O-1A visa holders) may be eligible to bring domestic help (such as a nanny) to the United States on a B-1 visa, provided certain conditions are met.

Employer requirements

• The employer must be temporarily in the US on a non-immigrant visa
• The domestic worker must have worked for the employer for at least one year, or the employer must show a history of regularly employing domestic workers
• A signed employment contract must be provided, including:
  • Payment of the higher of the minimum and prevailing wage for domestic workers in the area, as set by the Department of Labor
  • Free room and board
  • Coverage of the domestic worker’s travel expenses to the United States and their return

Employee requirements

• The domestic worker must maintain a permanent residence outside the US that they do not intend to abandon
• They must have at least one year of experience as a domestic worker

Length of stay

The B-1 visa allows domestic workers to stay in the United States for one year before they must return to their home country.

B1 visas for domestic workers are usually extended to match the employer’s nonimmigrant status, but USCIS often limits them to six months.

A US citizen employer must have a job that requires frequent international transfers of at least two years, confirmed by their employer, and be returning to the US for no more than six years.

See also: How to Get a US Green Card if You Have a Temporary Work Visa

Permanent immigration options

If your domestic worker wants to obtain a green card to live and work in the US permanently, they may need to apply for an EB-3 immigrant visa. This process requires legal expertise and careful preparation.

• Employers must begin the process months prior to the intended move date, ensuring all paperwork meets the Department of Labor’s requirements
• To sponsor a nanny for a green card, employers must prove a legitimate need for a domestic worker and comply with all labor certification rules

Deel can support EB-3 cases, helping your domestic worker navigate the immigration process with the right legal guidance.

See also: What is the EB-3 PERM visa?

Bring your essential household support to the US with Deel

With a 98% approval rate, Deel is the leading US immigration provider, making the visa application process stress-free. Here’s how we help:

• Dedicated case manager: Get expert guidance from an experienced immigration attorney from start to finish. Need help? Schedule a call in one click
• Real-time tracking: Stay updated with in-app status updates and direct notes from your case manager
• Effortless renewals: Renew visas in minutes, with no need to re-enter information

Start your visa process today. Book a free consultation and let our immigration experts handle the details.

Schedule your free consultation