Is J1 visa is the right visa for an Aupair/nanny job?Is it in-need of a lawyer?

Question

I apply as an AuPair/Nanny via internet.I got lots of job offers but still scared in job scams that are happenings todays.Luckily i chose the righr one.She bought me a ticket (from Philipppines to Chicago) and sent the contract to me.I quited my job at Singapore due to the reason that I need to go back to my native country to pick-up my documents at the embassy here onced it arrives.We're on the near of the procession of my documents but the US law mandated,on the Department of Homeland Security (according to the agent) that I need to provide a lawyer who will going to stand for securing of my J1 visa,and the payment cost is US$2000.I'm very confused,why do I need to send the payment at UK if the agency provided by my family host is at the US? Is it really in-need of a lawyer for securing of my visa? Please give me some tips and advise on what is the right thing to do regarding this matter,on what to do in the right processing of US working visa.

Answer 1

J-1 is the correct visa for the Au Pair program, but something smells bad about your situation. First of all, an individual cannot hire someone as an au pair on a J-1 visa. There are certain approved organizations (approved by the US State Dept) who are able to sponsor people to come to the States on this program. There is no such thing as a lawyer "securing your visa" in this situation and besides, there is also no "picking up of documents" at the Consulate. You would have to be sponsored by one of the approved agencies, then appear at the Consulate for your visa interview.

    There are only 12 agencies in the US that are authorized to bring workers to the US on the Au Pair program, you can check them out at the following link: http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/in... You can also read about the Au Pair program on the official US State Dept site: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jex...

    I think that you are being scammed and have been smart to ask about this. Read about the program and check out the only authorized agencies (you cannot obtain a J-1 visa without an approved US sponsor agency) and think twice before doing anything foolosh like sending $2000 to a lawyer.

     Ask the agent in America to send you a copy of their US State Dept approval.