(本白皮书由 AuPair Ren（仁互惠）发布，数据来源感谢行业同仁提供)(Published by AuPair Ren; we thank industry peers for data contributions)
引言
互惠生（Au Pair）源自法语，意为“平等互惠”。作为一种跨文化交流项目，互惠生指18～30岁的青年寄宿在海外家庭，通过帮助照看孩子、分担部分家务，换取食宿和少量零花钱[1]。这一模式在欧洲已有百年历史，并获得许多国家立法认可，保障了互惠生与寄宿家庭双方的权益[2][3]。本白皮书聚焦中国互惠生行业的发展现状和趋势，通过数据分析2024年度中国互惠生项目的运行情况，并展望未来机遇与挑战。
全球互惠生项目概况
互惠生项目在欧美国家十分成熟，每年有数以万计的青年参与其中。据美国国务院统计，2018年仅赴美的互惠生就超过2万人，互惠生来源地遍及100多个国家[4]。目前全球最大的互惠生输出国包括德国、巴西、哥伦比亚、墨西哥等[5]。例如，2019年在德国寄宿的外国互惠生接近1.5万人，比两年前增长约10%[6]。互惠生以女性为主（约占96%）[7]，多数在高中毕业至大学毕业这一人生阶段选择成为互惠生，以体验不同国家的语言和文化[8]。互惠生在寄宿家庭中的工作时间一般每周不超过30小时，并享有独立房间、食宿及少量零花钱等权益[9]。总体而言，互惠生项目在欧美被视为一种文化交流而非单纯雇佣关系，许多西方家庭把互惠生当作家庭成员对待[3]。
中国互惠生出国现状
中国青年加入全球互惠生行列始于本世纪初。2000年前后，第一批中国学生赴欧美国家做互惠生；2006年起也开始有外国互惠生来到中国家庭寄宿[10]。近年来，随着国内对海外文化交流项目认知度提高，中国输出的互惠生数量呈增长态势。据行业调查统计，2024年中国共输出约500名互惠生，其中赴美国约300人，约占美国当年互惠生总数的1%～2%，在各输出国中排名前十左右[5]。赴欧洲国家的中国互惠生约200人，主要目的地为法国和德国（分别约占数十人规模），其余分布于荷兰、比利时、西班牙等互惠项目开放国家。值得一提的是，中国互惠生联盟等机构反馈，2024年经由联盟输送赴美的中国互惠生约50人，这一数据与我们调研的总量基本相符。总体来看，中国互惠生海外输出规模仍然不大，与欧美主要输出国相比存在显著差距，但呈现稳步发展的趋势。
中国年轻人选择赴海外做互惠生，动机多样，包括提升外语能力、沉浸异国文化、节省留学开支等。一些赴德互惠生希望通过照顾孩子换取食宿并学习德语，也有赴美互惠生借此深入体验美国生活。由于互惠生项目费用相对低廉，仅需支付机票和中介服务费，相比正式留学项目经济负担小，因此吸引了部分工薪家庭的年轻人。需要指出，2020–2022年受全球疫情和出入境管制影响，中国互惠生出国项目一度大幅减少[11]。2023年后航班签证逐步恢复，赴海外互惠生项目重新启动，2024年的数据较前两年有明显反弹。展望未来，随着国际旅行的便利化和年轻一代对gap year（间隔年）接受度提高，预计中国出国互惠生人数仍将保持增长势头。
来华互惠生项目现状
在中国经济开放和国际交流增加的背景下，外国互惠生来华项目于近十余年间逐步兴起。2010年左右开始，有中介机构引入外国青年以互惠生身份入住中国家庭。2018年的统计数据显示，赴中国家庭的互惠生来源国主要为英语国家：来自美国、英国、加拿大等英语母语国家的互惠生占比高达71%，其次是西班牙等拉美国家（占约16%），反映出中国家庭对英语环境的强烈偏好[12]。从学历和年龄看，来华互惠生多数为高中至大学在读或毕业的年轻人，以18～25岁居多[8]。男女比例约为1:2，女性互惠生明显多于男性[13]。
中国寄宿家庭对互惠生有着独特的期望和定位：理想的互惠生被视作孩子的“外语哥哥/姐姐”而非保姆。绝大多数中国家庭邀请互惠生的出发点在于创造沉浸式的英语（或其他外语）环境，希望孩子在生活中与外国人大哥哥、大姐姐交流，从小培养国际视野和语言能力[14]。相比之下，家务和照看孩子被视为次要职责，一般仅要求互惠生协助接送孩子上下学、陪伴游戏、简单辅导功课，以及参与少量轻家务（如整理儿童房间等）[3]。不少家庭本身已经雇有本地保姆照料日常事务，引入互惠生主要是为了扮演住家外教的角色[15]。正因如此，互惠生项目在国内又被称为“住家外教”，每月约2000元人民币的零花钱成本远低于市场上外教家教的价格，却能全天候为孩子提供语言陪伴[15]。
需要关注的是，来华互惠生群体规模目前仍然很小。根据Aupair Ren调研多家中介的数据推算，2024年经中介安排来华的互惠生约300人，另有约600人通过网络平台或亲友介绍自行匹配家庭（DIY模式）。全年在华互惠生总人数不超过1000人，仅为欧美成熟市场的零头。在新冠疫情之前，来华互惠生数量曾逐年增长，但2020年后几乎停滞[11]。随着中国于2023年恢复签发签证并放宽入境政策，2024年的来华互惠生项目开始重启，但整体供需尚未完全恢复到疫情前水平。
行业法规与典型纠纷
法律定位的模糊是当前中国互惠生行业面临的突出问题。与美国、欧洲有专门签证和监管不同，中国尚无明确的“互惠生签证”类别。多数来华互惠生持X2短期学生签证，挂靠在语言培训项目名义下入境，再由中介安排寄宿家庭。这种操作使互惠生身份介于留学生和家庭帮工之间，存在合法性争议。根据中国法律，外国人不得在中国境内从事家政服务工作，否则属于非法就业[16]。2018年浙江宁波曾破获非法雇佣外籍保姆案件，33名无合法签证从事家政的外籍人员被遣返，相关雇主各被罚款1万元并承担遣返机票费用[17]。由此可见，如果严格按照现行法规，互惠生在家庭中从事照看儿童、做家务等行为可能被视为外籍家政服务，存在法律风险。这一灰色地带使正规中介也感到困扰：如何在不违反法规的前提下开展互惠生项目，值得主管部门关注和明确。
与法律地位不清相伴的，是互惠生项目各方权益保障不足。在欧美，互惠生薪资、工时由官方规定，但在中国由于缺乏统一监管，项目执行 largely 靠各机构和家庭自律。这导致纠纷多发。从国外情况看，美国和欧洲的互惠生纠纷多集中在薪资和劳动保障方面：例如2019年美国15家互惠生中介被指控合谋压低薪酬，最终集体诉讼和解，赔付6500万美元拖欠工资[18]。又如部分欧洲国家曾出现互惠生超时工作、待遇偏低的报道，这些问题通过立法逐步改善。相比之下，中国互惠生纠纷更多发生在寄宿家庭与中介机构之间。近年来多起法律诉讼显示，家庭支付高额项目费却未得到预期服务，是主要矛盾点。例如，有上海家庭花费12.6万元请来美国互惠生但不到3个月互惠生提前离开，引发家庭与中介的退款纠纷，最终法院判决中介退还4.1万元服务费[19][20]。又如北京一家庭支付6.6万元给中介但对方未能安排到互惠生，家长诉诸法院胜诉却发现中介已人去楼空、执行退款困难[21][22]。此类案例表明，目前国内互惠生市场缺乏有效规范，一旦服务未达承诺，家庭维权成本高、风险大。
行业挑战与待解问题
基于以上现状，我们认为中国互惠生行业要健康发展，仍有若干关键问题亟待解决：
- 签证合法性：亟需明确互惠生项目的法律身份。例如，可探讨设立专门的文化交流签证或许可，赋予互惠生合法的活动范围。现行短期学生签证变通使用的模式，长期看并非长久之计[17]。监管部门应制定针对互惠生的签证和就业政策，以消除法律灰色地带。
- 角色定位清晰：目前不少来华互惠生对于自己的职责范围缺乏清晰认知，有的认为自己是“文化交流者”而非劳工，不愿从事任何家务；有的寄宿家庭则可能把互惠生当保姆使唤，超出项目初衷。这种期望落差容易引发冲突。行业需要统一互惠生的定位——既非纯粹雇员，也非单纯游客，应明确其在家庭中承担的任务边界（如主要陪伴儿童、少量家务）和权益保障。
- 中介与家庭的责任划分：互惠生项目涉及中介筛选推荐、家庭面试匹配、签证办理、培训管理等多个环节。目前收费标准和责任界定不统一，部分中介收取高额费用却缺乏后续服务跟进。应建立透明的收费和服务标准，明确当互惠生提前离岗、双方不匹配等情况时，中介与家庭各自的责任和赔偿机制，保障各方权益。
- 纠纷调处机制：鉴于互惠生项目的特殊性质，建议行业协会或管理部门设立专项纠纷调解渠道，及时处理项目过程中出现的矛盾。例如，可成立互惠生项目仲裁委员会，提供法律咨询和调解，降低家庭和互惠生维权成本，提升各方对项目的信心。
行业趋势与展望
尽管目前中国互惠生行业体量不大，但其未来发展潜力值得期待。随着中国对外开放持续深化，一系列政策红利将为国际青年交流创造更便利条件：
- 签证政策优化：2025年起中国新增K字签证，专门签发给入境从事科技、教育、文化交流的外国青年人才[23][24]。K签证持有者在华可从事教育、科技、文化等领域的交流活动，这体现了中国欢迎年轻人才和促进民间交流的姿态。虽然互惠生项目侧重语言文化交流，未必全部符合K签证的科技人才定位，但这一政策释放的积极信号，预示未来针对文化交流类青年的签证政策可能进一步放宽。
- 国际吸引力提升：中国国际影响力和文化软实力日益增强。一方面，中国已与29个国家互免签证、对46国单方面免签，出入境便利度大幅提高[25]。另一方面，中国高校在全球排名持续上升——例如2025年QS世界大学排名中有71所大陆高校上榜，近一半进入全球前500强[26]。高等教育和科研实力的提升，使中国对外国年轻人的吸引力不断增强。越来越多海外青年希望来华学习中文、了解中华文化，这将为互惠生项目提供更大的候选人群体。
- 文化交流需求：后疫情时代全球人员往来反弹，“Z世代”青年对跨文化体验的兴趣浓厚。中国作为世界第二大经济体，本身对外籍人才和留学生有庞大需求。在研学旅行、留学交换等形式之外，互惠生作为一种低成本深度体验的方式，可能受到更多国内家庭和外国青年的青睐。如果未来中国能加大宣传推广互惠生项目，完善配套政策，预计来华互惠生数量有望稳步增长。
当然，行业的成长伴随着规范化要求。只有各方权责分明、保障有力，互惠生项目才能实现可持续发展。我们欣喜地看到，包括仁互惠在内的国内先行者们已在实践中积累了十年经验，也呼吁更多同行加强合作、信息共享，一起推动行业标准的建立。相信在不久的将来，互惠生将成为中外文化交流的重要桥梁之一，让更多家庭和青年从中受益。
结论
综上所述，中国互惠生行业正处于茁壮发展的起步阶段。无论是中国青年走出国门，还是外国青年走进中国家庭，互惠生项目都为个人成长和文化交流带来了独特价值。展望2025年及未来，在政策利好和市场需求的双重驱动下，中国互惠生行业有望迎来更多机遇。然而机遇伴随责任，只有在法律政策框架下规范运作、保障各方权益，行业才能行稳致远。我们期待政府相关部门、行业机构和参与家庭共同努力，推动建立健全的互惠生项目体系。在一个更加开放、自信的中国，互惠生文化交流之路必将越走越宽广，为增进中外民心相通发挥更大的作用。 [15][27]
[1] [9] 高歌互惠生：来华互惠生项目简介 – 哔哩哔哩
[2] [3] [8] [10] [12] [13] [14] [15] 每月花一两千元就能请到住家“外教”，你了解过吗？ – 互惠生——中谊互惠生中心
[4] [5] [7] Special Report | The Perils of Au Pairs | By the numbers
中国互惠生行业十年回顾与未来展望
[16] [27] 浙江33名非法外籍保姆被遣返，雇主被罚款一万并承担机票
[17] 33名非法外籍保姆被遣返 雇主被罚一万并承担机票_手机新浪网
http://news.sina.cn/2018-05-08/detail-ihaichqy4192538.d.html
[18] Au Pair Sponsor Agencies Settle Wage Lawsuit, Offer $65.5 Million In Back Pay : NPR
[19] [20] 互惠生入住中国家庭不辞而别 教育咨询公司退款4.1万元|支付|原告_凤凰资讯
[21] [22] 参加“互惠生”被坑 房主胜诉却难执行-信阳新闻网-信阳权威新闻门户
[23] [24] [25] K字签证来了！外国青年科技人才来华更便利_新闻频道_央视网(cctv.com)
[26] 2025QS世界大学排名公布！
Introduction
The term “au pair” originates from French, meaning “on equal terms.” As a form of cross‑cultural exchange, an au pair is a young adult aged 18–30 who lives with an overseas host family and, in exchange for room, board, and a modest stipend, provides help with childcare and some light household tasks. The model has a history of more than a century in Europe and has been recognized in law in many countries to protect the rights and interests of both au pairs and host families. This white paper focuses on the development status and trends of China’s au pair sector, analyzes the operation of Chinese au pair programs in 2024, and looks ahead to future opportunities and challenges.
Global Overview of Au Pair Programs
Au pair programs are well established in Europe and North America, engaging tens of thousands of young people each year. According to the U.S. Department of State, more than 20,000 au pairs entered the United States in 2018 alone, with sending countries spanning over one hundred countries. The world’s largest sending countries include Germany, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. For example, in Germany nearly 15,000 foreign au pairs lived with host families in 2019—an increase of roughly 10% compared with two years earlier. The au pair population is predominantly female (around 96%), and most participants choose the program between high‑school graduation and post‑college years to experience other languages and cultures. Working time in host families typically does not exceed 30 hours per week, with the right to a private room, room and board, and a modest stipend. Overall, in Europe and the U.S., au pair programs are treated as cultural exchange rather than ordinary employment, and many host families consider au pairs as members of the household.
Status of Chinese Au Pairs Going Abroad
Chinese participation in global au pair programs began in the early 2000s. Around 2000, the first Chinese students went to Europe and the U.S. as au pairs; from 2006 onward foreign au pairs also began living with Chinese host families. In recent years, as awareness of overseas cultural exchange has grown, China’s outbound au pair numbers have trended upward. Industry surveys indicate that in 2024 China sent about 500 au pairs abroad in total—approximately 300 to the United States (about 1–2% of the U.S. au pair intake that year, roughly within the top ten sending countries), and about 200 to Europe, with France and Germany as the main destinations (each in the dozens). Others went to the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and other countries with au pair schemes. Notably, the Chinese Au Pair Alliance reported around 50 au pairs placed to the U.S. in 2024, which aligns with our overall estimate. In short, China’s total au pair outflow is still small compared with major sending countries in Europe and Latin America, but it is steadily growing.
Motivations for Chinese youth to become au pairs are diverse: improving foreign‑language skills, immersing in another culture, and reducing study‑abroad costs. Some au pairs in Germany intend to learn German while exchanging childcare for room and board; some heading to the U.S. hope for deep, first‑hand exposure to American life. Because au pair programs are relatively affordable—typically covering airfare and agency services only—they are less costly than standard study‑abroad programs and thus attractive to families with modest means. It should be noted that outbound au pair placements dropped sharply during 2020–2022 due to the pandemic and border controls. As flights and visas resumed in 2023, programs restarted; the 2024 figures rebounded compared with the previous two years. Looking forward, with international travel becoming easier and wider acceptance of gap‑year experiences among younger generations, the number of Chinese au pairs going abroad is likely to continue to rise.
Inbound Au Pair Programs in China
Against the backdrop of China’s opening‑up and growing international exchange, inbound au pair programs have gradually emerged over the last decade. Around 2010, agencies began placing foreign youngsters as au pairs in Chinese host families. Sample data from 2018 show that the sources of au pairs coming to China were mainly English‑speaking countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada together accounted for as much as 71%, followed by Spanish‑speaking countries (around 16%). In terms of education and age, most inbound au pairs were high‑school to college students or recent graduates, predominantly 18–25 years old. The female‑to‑male ratio was around 2:1.
Chinese host families have distinctive expectations and positioning for au pairs: the ideal au pair is regarded as a child’s “language brother/sister” rather than a housekeeper. Most families aim to create an immersive English (or other foreign‑language) environment so that children can interact naturally with a foreign older brother/sister in daily life and develop global awareness and language abilities from a young age. Household chores and childcare are generally secondary: typical tasks include school pick‑up/drop‑off, playing with the child, light homework help, and minor chores (e.g., tidying the child’s room). Many families already employ local nannies/housekeepers for heavy chores; au pairs are brought in mainly to play the role of a live‑in language tutor. Accordingly, au pair arrangements in China are sometimes called “live‑in foreign tutors.” With a pocket‑money level of roughly RMB 2,000 per month, this option is far less expensive than hiring private tutors while providing all‑day language exposure for children.
It is worth noting that the inbound au pair population remains very small. Based on AuPair Ren’s interviews with multiple agencies, we estimate that in 2024 about 300 au pairs came to China through agencies, with another roughly 600 placed via online platforms or personal networks (DIY). The total number of au pairs in China that year was below 1,000—only a fraction of mature European markets. Before the pandemic, inbound numbers had increased year by year, but they were nearly stagnant after 2020. As China resumed issuing visas and eased entry policies in 2023, programs restarted in 2024, though overall demand and supply have not yet fully returned to pre‑pandemic levels.
Regulatory Status and Typical Disputes
Ambiguity about legal status is a prominent challenge for China’s au pair sector. Unlike the U.S. and Europe—where there are dedicated visas and clear oversight—China currently has no specific “au pair visa.” Most inbound au pairs hold the X2 short‑term student visa attached to a language‑training program and are then placed with host families by agencies. This leaves the au pair’s identity somewhere between student and domestic helper, raising legality concerns. Under Chinese law, foreign nationals are not permitted to work as domestic workers in China; otherwise it is considered illegal employment. In 2018, Ningbo, Zhejiang, investigated illegal employment of foreign domestic workers, resulting in the deportation of 33 individuals and fines for the employers, who also bore the repatriation airfare. Strictly interpreted, childcare and household tasks performed by au pairs in a family setting could be viewed as domestic work, thus creating legal risk. This grey area also troubles legitimate agencies, and it warrants attention and clarification by competent authorities.
Another consequence of unclear status is insufficient protection of the parties’ rights. In Europe and the U.S., au pair pay and working hours are defined by regulation, but in China the execution of arrangements is largely based on agency and family self‑discipline, which leads to more disputes. Internationally, au pair disputes often focus on pay and labor protection: for example, in 2019, fifteen U.S. sponsor agencies were accused of colluding to suppress wages; the class action was eventually settled with US$65.5 million in back pay. In Europe, there have been reports of overtime and low allowances, with gradual improvements through legislation. In China, disputes are more often between host families and agencies. In recent years, several lawsuits indicate that families paid high program fees but did not receive the promised services. For example, in one Shanghai case a family paid RMB 126,000 to host a U.S. au pair, who left in less than three months; the court ordered the agency to refund RMB 41,000. In another Beijing case, a family paid RMB 66,000, but the agency failed to place an au pair; although the family won the lawsuit, the agency had closed and refund enforcement was difficult. These cases highlight the lack of effective standards in the domestic market and the high cost and risk of protecting rights when services fall short of commitments.
Key Challenges and Issues to Address
• Visa legality: Clarify the legal identity of au pair arrangements in China. One option is to explore a dedicated cultural‑exchange visa or permit that explicitly defines the permitted scope of au pair activities. Reliance on short‑term student visas is not a long‑term solution. Regulators should formulate policies on visas and permissible work for au pairs to remove the legal grey area.
• Clear role definition: Many inbound au pairs lack clarity about their responsibilities—some regard themselves as cultural participants rather than workers and are unwilling to do any household tasks, while some families may treat au pairs as housekeepers beyond the program’s intent. A unified definition is needed—neither ordinary employees nor casual visitors—and the boundaries of tasks (e.g., child companionship as primary, light chores as secondary) and rights should be clearly defined.
• Responsibility split between agencies and families: The au pair process spans screening and recommendation, interviews and matching, visa processing, and training/management. Currently, fee standards and responsibilities are not uniform; some agencies charge high fees without commensurate follow‑up service. Transparent pricing and service standards are needed, with clear rules on each party’s responsibilities and compensation in cases of early exit or mismatch.
• Dispute resolution: Given the program’s specificity, an industry‑level or government‑supported mediation mechanism is recommended to handle conflicts promptly. For example, an Au Pair Program Arbitration Committee could provide legal consultation and mediation to reduce the cost of rights protection and build confidence among all parties.
Trends and Outlook
Although the sector is small, the growth potential is notable. As China continues to deepen opening‑up, a series of policies will facilitate international youth exchanges:
• Visa policy optimization: Beginning in 2025, China has introduced a K‑visa designed for foreign youth in science, education, and cultural exchange. K‑visa holders may engage in exchange activities in education, science, and culture while in China. Although au pair programs emphasize language and culture and may not exactly match the science‑talent orientation of the K‑visa, the policy signals a positive attitude that could lead to further facilitation for youth cultural exchange in the future.
• Rising international appeal: China’s international profile and soft power continue to grow. For example, China now has mutual visa‑waiver arrangements with 29 countries and unilateral visa‑free entry for 46 countries, greatly improving travel convenience. China’s universities are also rising in global rankings—for instance, in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, 71 mainland institutions are listed, nearly half of them in the global top 500. Stronger higher education and research enhance China’s pull for foreign youth, many of whom wish to learn Chinese and experience Chinese culture—expanding the candidate pool for au pair programs.
• Cultural‑exchange demand: Post‑pandemic cross‑border travel is rebounding, and Gen‑Z youth are keen on immersive experiences. Beyond study tours and exchange semesters, the au pair model offers low‑cost, deep cultural immersion, which may attract more Chinese families and overseas youth. With more publicity and better policies, the number of au pairs coming to China is likely to grow steadily.
Naturally, growth goes hand‑in‑hand with standardization. Only with clear roles and strong safeguards can the au pair model be sustainable. We are encouraged that pioneers—including AuPair Ren—have accumulated a decade of practice in China and call for closer collaboration and information sharing across the industry to establish standards. We believe au pairs will become a vital bridge for people‑to‑people exchange between China and the world, benefiting more families and youth.
Conclusion
In summary, China’s au pair sector is in an early yet dynamic stage. Whether Chinese youth going abroad or foreign youth joining Chinese families, au pair programs provide unique value for personal growth and cultural exchange. Looking to 2025 and beyond, with favorable policies and market demand, the sector should see increased opportunities. Opportunity, however, comes with responsibility: only under a clear legal and policy framework—with protections for all parties—can the sector advance steadily. We look forward to government agencies, industry organizations, and participating families working together to build a robust program system. In a more open and confident China, the path of au pair cultural exchange will widen and contribute more to mutual understanding between Chinese and people around the world.
References (Selected)
• Gao Ge Au Pair: Introduction to Au Pair Programs in China – bilibili.com/read/cv24370926/
• “Hire a Live‑in ‘Foreign Teacher’ for 1–2k RMB a Month—Did You Know?” – Tofriend Au Pair Center – tofriend.com/1969.html
• Special Report | The Perils of Au Pairs | By the Numbers – projects.voanews.com/au‑pairs/by‑the‑numbers.html
• A Decade Review and Outlook of China’s Au Pair Industry – aupair.ren
• Zhejiang: 33 Illegal Foreign Maids Deported; Employers Fined 10,000 RMB and Pay Airfare – sohu.com/a/230887978_260616
• 33 Illegal Foreign Maids Deported; Employers Fined 10,000 RMB and Pay Airfare – news.sina.cn/2018-05-08/detail-ihaichqy4192538.d.html
• Au Pair Sponsor Agencies Settle Wage Lawsuit, Offer $65.5 Million in Back Pay – NPR – npr.org/2019/01/09/683831264/…
• Au Pair Left a Chinese Host Family Early; Education Consultancy Ordered to Refund RMB 41,000 – ifeng.com
• “Trapped by an Au Pair Program”; Homeowner Won in Court but Faced Enforcement Difficulties – xyxww.com.cn
• K‑Visa Introduced to Facilitate Foreign Youth Talent in China – cctv.com
• QS World University Rankings 2025 – sosho.cn article