Au Pair Visa — Germany

The Germany au pair visa allows you to stay in Germany as an au pair under a defined immigration category.

German authorities process it through consular channels abroad, with a standard processing time of 4–8 weeks.

What the form is

The Germany au pair visa is an official visa category recognized by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge – BAMF).

You apply for this visa through the German consulate or embassy in your home country, which operates under the Federal Foreign Office.

It is distinct from other residence categories such as:

The au pair visa is not interchangeable with these categories.

You must apply under the correct purpose.

Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks, depending on the consulate and case volume.

If you plan to stay long term, the local Ausländerbehörde handles your residence permit after entry into Germany.

Basic purpose

The Germany au pair visa allows you to live with a host family in Germany under an officially recognized arrangement.

It supports structured cultural exchange while you stay in the country for a defined au pair placement.

Use this visa only if your primary purpose is to work as an au pair.

You cannot use it as a substitute for:

• A Student Visa for university studies
• A Working Holiday Visa for open employment
• A Voluntary Service Visa for organized volunteer programs
• A Vocational Training Visa (Ausbildung) for formal training

German authorities expect your application to match your actual activity in Germany.

If your purpose differs, apply under the correct visa category.

The Federal Foreign Office manages your visa application abroad.

After arrival, your local Ausländerbehörde oversees residence matters.

BAMF serves as the federal migration authority but does not process routine visa applications at consulates.

You pay a set visa fee and should plan for a processing period that can extend several weeks.

The exact timeline depends on where you apply and how the authorities classify your case.

Application fees

You pay €75 for a Germany au pair visa application.

The Federal Foreign Office collects this fee when you apply at a German embassy or consulate abroad.

If you apply for a residence permit inside Germany, your local Ausländerbehörde handles the process.

Other immigration categories—such as the Working Holiday Visa, Student Visa, Voluntary Service Visa, Internship Visa, or Vocational Training Visa (Ausbildung)—may have different fee structures.

Confirm the exact amount for your situation with the Federal Foreign Office or your local Ausländerbehörde before you apply.

If your host family provides a Form Verpflichtungserklärung or you submit an Form Aufnahmevereinbarung under a different residence purpose, fee rules may differ.

Always verify the current fee schedule with the responsible authority.

Typical processing windows

Under standard processing, au pair visa applications take 4 to 8 weeks.

processing times vary based on:

• The embassy or consulate where you apply
• Your nationality
• The volume of applications at the time of filing

If you apply from within Germany, your local Ausländerbehörde determines the timeline.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge – BAMF) handles asylum matters, not standard au pair visa issuance, but internal coordination can affect overall residence processing in some cases.

Check current processing times directly with the authority handling your application before you make travel plans.

Your au pair visa limits both how long you can stay and the type of host arrangement you can accept.

You must follow the age rules, duration limits, and host family requirements set by German authorities.

Age and duration limits

You must meet the official age requirements on the date you apply for the visa.

The Federal Foreign Office publishes the exact minimum and maximum age limits for the Germany au pair visa.

If you fall outside that range, you must consider a different residence title, such as a Working Holiday Visa, Student Visa, Voluntary Service Visa, Internship Visa, or Vocational Training Visa (Ausbildung).

Your stay is temporary and tied to the au pair purpose.

You cannot convert it into long-term residence simply by remaining in Germany.

Key restrictions include:

• You must stay within the approved validity period stated on your visa or residence permit.
• You must not take up employment outside your au pair duties.
• You must comply with the conditions issued by the local Ausländerbehörde after arrival.

If you want to change your residence purpose, you must apply for a new permit through the Ausländerbehörde before your current status expires.

Host family arrangement

Your residence status depends on a valid agreement with a host family in Germany.

You cannot stay as an au pair without an active host arrangement.

The host family must provide accommodation and integrate you into their household.

Your visa links directly to this specific placement.

You typically need:

• A written au pair agreement signed by you and the host family
• Proof of accommodation in the family home
• A formal commitment where required, such as a Form Verpflichtungserklärung, if applicable

If the placement ends early, you must inform the local Ausländerbehörde.

You cannot automatically switch to a new family without approval.

The au pair visa differs from permits based on an Form Aufnahmevereinbarung or employment contract.

Those apply to research or work-based residence titles, not cultural exchange placements.

Failure to maintain a valid host family arrangement can lead to cancellation of your residence permit.

You must meet Germany’s general conditions for obtaining a residence title before you apply for an au pair visa.

Authorities review both your personal eligibility and whether your intended stay fits within the German residence framework.

Basic legal requirements

Germany issues au pair visas as residence titles under national immigration law. Before applying, you need to confirm you qualify for a residence title at all.

At a minimum, you must:

• Apply through the Federal Foreign Office if you are outside Germany.
• Comply with the legal framework for residence titles in Germany.
• Make sure your stay as an au pair matches the permitted purpose of residence.

If you’re already in Germany, your local Ausländerbehörde handles residence permit applications. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) oversees overall migration policy but doesn’t process routine au pair residence permits.

Holding another German visa doesn’t mean you automatically qualify. Each residence title has its own legal basis and purpose.

Residence-title checks

Your current or planned immigration status must fit the au pair purpose. Germany grants residence titles for specific reasons, and you can’t mix categories without approval.

If you have or had a Student Visa, Working Holiday Visa, Voluntary Service Visa, Internship Visa, or Vocational Training Visa (Ausbildung), the authorities check whether a change of purpose is legally possible.

Residence titles based on agreements like an Form Aufnahmevereinbarung or supported by a Form Verpflichtungserklärung are also reviewed to confirm they match your intended activity.

Before applying, check:

1. The legal purpose of your current residence title.

2. Whether you must apply from abroad through the Federal Foreign Office.

3. Whether your case needs approval from the local Ausländerbehörde.

If you’re unsure, contact the Federal Foreign Office or your local Ausländerbehörde for guidance.