中国互惠生行业的发展历程
首批赴美互惠生（2007-2010年）：中国互惠生（Au Pair）概念于2001年由北京的一家行业先驱引入。经过多年筹备，中美互惠生项目在2007年取得突破：2007年3月，首位中国互惠生于美国寄宿家庭报到。据纽约时报报道，这位名叫于红斌（音）的哈尔滨女孩成为美国文化交流项目下首位来自中国的互惠生。她的东家是美国加州的一位单亲母亲Joan，希望孩子从小学习中文。21世纪初，随着越来越多美国家庭收养中国儿童，以及父母对中文和中国文化重视程度提高，美国中产家庭对来自中国的互惠生需求激增。美国大型互惠生中介Au Pair in America表示，2004年以前从未收到对中国互惠生的请求，此后两年内收到约1400份申请，需求之旺前所未见。美国国务院也相应放宽了对中国公民的文化交流签证条件，帮助更多中国年轻人以互惠生身份赴美。2008年北京奥运会后，中国国际形象提升，欧美家庭对中国文化和中文的兴趣进一步升温。2008年前后，一些欧洲国家也开始招募中国互惠生赴欧，满足当地家庭对中文保姆的需求。
来华互惠生兴起（2010-2019年）：在中国公民走出国门当互惠生的同时，外国青年也开始以互惠生身份来到中国家庭寄宿。2010年前后，北京、上海等大城市出现首批来华互惠生案例。例如2010年冬天，一位19岁的德国青年Chris来到北京一家寄宿，利用大学间隔年体验中国文化。他的主要任务一方面是帮助寄宿家庭父亲处理德文翻译，另一方面辅导高中生女儿的英语。随着中国经济的发展和国际交流增多，不少中国城市中产家庭希望聘请外国青年陪伴子女，进行语言和文化交流。2010年代中期，一些中介机构开始在欧美推广“来华互惠生”项目，吸引欧美年轻人赴华体验。例如，中国的Early Bird、LoPair等文化交流机构与海外合作伙伴对接，将外国大学生介绍到中国家庭。一些欧洲国家的年轻人把中国作为Gap Year目的地，来华教授英语、学习汉语。到2017年前后，北京、上海每年都有数百名外国互惠生活动的非正式统计。然而，由于签证政策限制（详见下文），这些来华互惠生大多以旅游签、留学签等变通方式入境，行业一直处于灰色地带。2010年代末期，随着监管加强，中国境内互惠生市场进入调整期。
行业整顿与规范化（2020年至今）：2019年底至2020年，来华互惠生行业迎来大整顿。此前，浙江宁波等地破获多起涉外家政“黑中介”案件：非法中介通过旅游签证等途径偷渡外籍人员入境从事家政服务，牟取暴利。例如2018年宁波一案中，涉案团伙从菲律宾、印尼骗取旅游签证或偷渡送入33名外籍保姆，这些“洋保姆”在中国家庭主要负责教孩子英语和日常家务，月薪七八千元人民币。该案中多名中介被批捕，33名非法居留的外籍保姆被遣返，雇主也被处以每人1万元罚款并承担遣返机票费用。中国法律明文规定禁止外国人在内地从事家政服务业，否则属非法就业。2020年后，各地公安和出入境部门持续打击非法互惠生中介，“黑中介”生存空间大大压缩。行业开始探索合规路径，例如通过注册文化交流公司、要求外籍互惠生办理学生签证（在华报读语言课程）等方式合法化身份。一些正规机构加强了对互惠生项目的管理，为来华互惠生购买保险、安排每周中文课程等，以突出文化交流性质，避免沦为非法家政用工。经过近几年的清理整顿，中国互惠生行业正朝着规范化方向发展，但总体规模相对此前高峰有所收缩。
全球互惠生行业的整体趋势
美国市场的发展与变化：美国是全球最大也是制度最健全的互惠生市场之一。自1986年美国国务院正式启动互惠生J-1签证项目以来，累计已有数十万海外青年赴美互惠。仅2009年至2018年间，就有约16万名互惠生通过J-1签证赴美生活和工作。每年约有2万名新互惠生抵美，主要来自巴西、哥伦比亚、德国等国。近年来，美国互惠生项目经历了多次调整和冲击。2019年，一桩覆盖1万名互惠生的集体诉讼震动业界：来自哥伦比亚、澳大利亚等国的11名互惠生起诉多家中介机构合谋压低工资，忽视加班和各州最低工资标准。最终15家经国务院指定的互惠生中介同意和解，支付总计6550万美元赔偿，并承诺告知新互惠生可与寄宿家庭协商领取高于最低标准的津贴。此案推动了美国互惠生工资标准的提高和雇主责任的明确。2020年新冠疫情暴发后，美国政府一度暂停签发J-1互惠生签证数月。许多在美互惠生选择延长停留，新的申请者则被迫等待。疫情缓解后，美国于2021年底恢复新互惠生入境。不过，部分州加强了对互惠生的劳动保护立法（如马萨诸塞州要求寄宿家庭支付州最低工资和加班费），一定程度上提高了互惠生项目的运营成本。整体而言，美国互惠生市场在疫情后出现了短暂下滑，但随着旅行限制解除和美国家庭育儿需求增长，2022年以来项目规模逐步回升。此外，美国国务院2023年宣布暂缓扩大互惠生项目规模，显示出监管层对项目质量和规模平衡的重视。
欧洲互惠生市场的趋势：欧洲是互惠生文化的发源地，许多国家的互惠生项目已有数十年历史并受到法律保障。例如法国、德国等遵循《欧洲互换安置互惠生协议》，对互惠生年龄、工作时间、语言课程等有明确规定。近年来，欧洲互惠生市场保持活跃并呈多样化趋势。以德国为例，2017年共有约13,500名外国互惠生在德国寄宿，比上一年增长约1000人；到2019年这一数字攀升至近15,000人。德国互惠生主要来自格鲁吉亚、乌克兰、哥伦比亚等国。其中约一半来自非欧盟国家，通过6,000多份签证获取入境资格，另一半为欧盟内部年轻人自由流动。德国对外籍互惠生的签证审理通常需12-16周，流程较长。同时，一些欧洲传统输出互惠生的大国出现变化：英国脱欧及疫情等因素使得英国和美国对欧洲青年的吸引力下降，一些德国青年选择留在欧洲大陆互惠而非赴英美。法国、西班牙等国每年也各吸引数千名互惠生，主要来自拉美和东欧地区。总体而言，欧洲互惠生市场规模稳定，每年有数万名青年在欧洲国家互惠交流。欧洲家庭对英语互惠生的需求较高，反之欧洲年轻人偏好赴英语国家锻炼语言。但随着全球语言多元化，不少西欧家庭也开始青睐来自中国、日本等亚洲国家的互惠生，以拓宽孩子的视野。欧洲各国政府普遍支持互惠生项目，将其视为文化交流和语言学习的重要渠道，并通过完善法律框架保障互惠生和寄宿家庭的权益。
中国在全球互惠生版图中的角色变化：在全球互惠生态中，中国的身份正在从“输出国”向“输出与输入并举”转变。2000年代，中国主要向欧美输出互惠生，为海外家庭提供中文语言环境。彼时每年只有少量外国人以互惠生身份来华，整体影响力有限。进入2010年代，随着中国国际地位提高和文化吸引力增强，中国逐渐成为互惠生活动的目的地之一。许多西方互惠生中介开始将中国列为推荐目的地，一些欧美年轻人把“到中国当互惠生”视为既能旅游又能学习中文的宝贵机会。相比之下，中国年轻人赴海外当互惠生的兴趣也在上升。主要目的地包括美国、德国和法国等。德国因对中国公民签证相对宽松，成为不少中国互惠生的首选。美国每年也接收一定数量的中国互惠生，据报道截至2007年底已有约200名中国互惠生赴美。中国互惠生以勤奋和教育水平高见长，受到一些欧美家庭欢迎。如今，中国既是互惠生的重要来源国之一，也开始作为东道国受到关注。但相较欧美主要国家，中国作为互惠生目的地的规模和认可度仍然有限。在全球互惠生行业版图中，中国的角色正在变得更加多元：既输出本国青年到世界各地，也尝试吸引世界各地青年到中国来，实现真正的双向文化交流。
中国互惠生行业的政策环境
签证与法律规定：在中国境内开展互惠生项目面临特殊的政策环境。目前中国尚未设立专门的“互惠生签证”或法律身份。根据中国法律，外国人在中国内地不得从事家政服务业，否则属于非法就业。这一定义直接影响了来华互惠生的合法性——互惠生在寄宿家庭从事的幼儿看护、简单家务等工作，被视作家政服务范畴。因此，严格来说外国互惠生在华工作的法律基础并不明确。现实操作中，正规机构通常采取变通方案：要求来华互惠生办理学习类签证（X签证）或交流访问签证（F签证），名义上以学生或访问学者身份入境，在华期间参加一定课时的汉语或文化课程，以符合签证要求。同时，互惠生获得的报酬被称为“零花钱”或“生活补贴”，金额相对较低，每月一般2000人民币左右。寄宿家庭需承担互惠生在华期间的食宿，并不得以雇佣关系对待。这种模式类似于在法律灰色地带实行的“文化交流项目”。然而，一旦寄宿家庭与互惠生发生纠纷，因其不受劳动法保护，处理起来往往缺乏明确依据。
非法中介与执法案例：由于缺乏明晰的法规保障，来华互惠生市场曾滋生大量地下中介和非法务工现象。2010年代中期，不少中介打着“文化交流”旗号，在东南亚招募菲佣、印佣等外籍人员赴华从事家政。这些人员多数以旅游或商务签证入境，实则在家庭长期居留工作，属于“三非”（非法入境、非法居留、非法就业）人员。2017年以来各地曝光了多起相关案件：如浙江苏州2017年审理的一起案件中，被告人组织他人偷越国境，将多名菲律宾籍佣工非法带入国内。宁波2018年的案件则涉及33名非法外籍保姆集中被捕遣返。2024年宁波鄞州区检察院提起公诉的一起案件中，非法中介曹某自2017年起通过旅游签证骗取方式，将数十名印尼、缅甸籍妇女偷渡入境当保姆，7年非法获利超10万元人民币。法院依法以组织他人偷越国境罪判处主犯有期徒刑，并再次重申：“根据我国法律规定，禁止外国人在内地从事家政服务业…雇主雇佣‘洋保姆’将面临罚款等处罚”。这些案例表明，中国政府近年对非法互惠生和外籍保姆现象持高压打击态度。对于正规从业者而言，唯一可行的路径是在法律框架下将互惠生活动定位为文化教育交流，而非劳动雇佣关系。业内也呼吁出台明确政策，如借鉴欧美经验设立专项签证或试点项目，使互惠生有合法身份可循。在法律完善前，来华互惠生项目仍需谨慎运作，确保不中触法律红线。
行业合规化趋势：面对政策挑战，从业机构近年来纷纷调整运营模式，推动行业合规化发展。首先是加强与教育部门合作，不少互惠生项目引入了“汉语学习”元素，要求互惠生每周参加一定小时的中文课程，以符合同学签要求。这不仅规避了非法就业嫌疑，也提高了互惠生对中国文化的融入度。其次，中介机构更加注重筛选合适的寄宿家庭和互惠生人选，签署详尽的三方协议，明确文化交流性质和各方责任权利。再次，一些机构主动与公安出入境部门沟通备案，取得当地政府的理解支持。还有机构探索购买商业保险，为互惠生提供医疗和意外保障。政府层面，近期对合法引进高端家政人才有所讨论，但尚无针对互惠生的专门政策出台。总体来看，中国互惠生行业的政策环境正在朝着更加规范透明的方向演变。尽管短期内法律障碍仍在，但随着国际文化交流需求增长，未来不排除中国针对互惠生项目制定专门管理办法的可能性。
疫情后旅游与教育行业变化对互惠生的影响
旅游业的复苏与人员流动：新冠疫情在2020年初让全球人员流动几乎停滞，国际互惠生项目亦陷入低谷。当年全球跨境旅行人数骤降，各国收紧签证和入境政策，大部分在途互惠生被迫中止或延迟行程。以中国为例，2020-2022年期间严格的入境管制使来华互惠生项目近乎停摆；同期中国年轻人赴海外互惠也因航班中断和签证困难大量取消。不仅中国，美国、欧洲的互惠生项目都受到冲击，美国政府在2020年6月-12月暂停包括互惠生在内的部分签证发放。许多美国家庭不得不与现有互惠生延长合同以应对无人可替的局面，一些美国中介甚至出现候选人断档。欧洲国家如德国、法国则因边境封锁，新互惠生寥寥无几。进入2021年下半年，随着疫苗普及和防疫措施常态化，各国逐步恢复人员往来。中国也于2023年初取消了大部分入境限制，重新开放旅游和留学签证。这一系列变化为互惠生行业带来复苏契机：国际航班量回升，签证申请重新开启，长期被压抑的跨文化交流需求得到释放。旅游业的复苏意味着年轻人有机会再次选择“边旅行边生活”的互惠生模式，各国寄宿家庭也重新敞开大门迎接异国青年。据行业反馈，2023年以来无论是中国输出互惠生人数，还是来华互惠生咨询量，都出现明显反弹。
教育行业的转变：疫情促使教育方式发生变化，也间接影响互惠生供需。一方面，在线教育的兴起让孩子获取外语环境的途径增多，某种程度上削弱了对线下外籍互惠生的依赖；但另一方面，长时间线上学习激发了家长和学生对真实文化交流的渴望，反而成为互惠生项目的卖点——互惠生活动提供了沉浸式语言环境和跨文化体验，是线上课程无法替代的。疫情后，各国学校陆续复课，留学项目重启，全球青年重新规划海外经历。在此背景下，不少欧美高校毕业生选择推迟就业，用半年到一年时间出国当互惠生，既弥补疫情期间错失的旅行机会，又丰富个人经历。这种趋势也利好来华互惠生市场，因为中国作为全球第二大经济体和古老文明，对外国年轻人的吸引力在上升。同时，中国国内“双减”政策等教育新政减少了课外补习负担，一些家长转而寻求外籍互惠生为孩子提供语言陪练和多元化教育。这使得互惠生在后疫情时代的家庭教育版图中角色更加突出。总体来看，教育行业的调整让人们重新审视互惠生的价值——不仅是看护孩子，更是促进孩子综合素养和国际视野的重要方式。
美国市场的变化对中国的启示：后疫情时代，美国互惠生市场的复苏和变化对中国有一定借鉴意义。一方面，美国在疫情中通过政策调整保障了互惠生项目的延续，如允许签证过期的互惠生宽限停留、鼓励线上文化交流等。这表明在极端情况下，政府支持对于维持项目生命力至关重要。另一方面，疫情促使美国社会更加关注互惠生的劳动权益和福利保障（如健康保险、病假待遇等），这些都是中国未来发展互惠生项目需要提前考虑的问题。美国互惠生行业还出现了数字化趋势：线上匹配、远程培训等手段兴起，提高了匹配效率和安全性。中国互惠生中介也开始借鉴这些做法，通过互联网平台招聘筛选，实现精准匹配。更值得关注的是，美国互惠生项目在疫情后的定位更加侧重文化交流本质，弱化廉价劳动力属性。这对中国发展来华互惠生有重要启发：应突出项目的文化教育意义，让各方收益于软实力提升，而非将互惠生等同于外籍保姆。综合而言，疫情后的变化为互惠生行业带来了挑战，也带来了革新的动力。中国可以从中吸取经验，在自身互惠生项目重启和扩展时注重风险预案、强化权益保障、利用科技手段以及坚持交流初心。
未来展望：十年内的中国互惠生行业
中国市场的成长潜力：展望未来，中国互惠生市场蕴藏着巨大的成长空间。有分析指出，中国城市中产阶层规模日益庞大，对高质量幼儿教育和多元文化体验的需求旺盛。近年来兴起的“双语保姆”“外国家教”需求表明，如果互惠生项目合法合规地引入，将有相当的家庭愿意参与。在输出方面，每年有大量中国大学毕业生和年轻人希望出国开阔眼界，互惠生项目为他们提供了低成本深度融入外国社会的途径。可以预见，随着更多成功案例出现和信息传播，报名参与互惠生的中国年轻人数量还会上升。在输入方面，如果中国政府未来推出类似J-1签证的交流项目，让外籍青年以合法身份来华互惠，那么中国有潜力成为亚洲最大的互惠生东道国之一。特别是在北京、上海、粤港澳等国际化程度高的地区，互惠生项目有望率先试点开花。十年内，中国互惠生行业有望实现从“小众尝试”到“规范发展”的转变，市场规模成倍增长。
汉语热与来华互惠生：全球范围内的“汉语热”将为来华互惠生市场提供源源不断的动力。早在2008年，全球学习中文的非母语人士已估计达到4000万人；有预测称这一数字在2020年将增至1亿。尽管实际数据尚待统计，但可以肯定的是，对中文和中国文化感兴趣的外国年轻群体正持续扩大。对于这些学习中文的青年而言，最佳的语言提升方式莫过于沉浸式环境，而互惠生项目恰好提供了低成本在华生活的机会。许多西方国家的汉语专业学生有意在毕业前后来华当半年到一年的互惠生，以提升口语水平并写入履历。这种趋势下，中国对于潜在来华互惠生的吸引力将越来越大。如果能解决签证和法律身份问题，来华互惠生人数有可能在未来十年呈指数级增长。可以想象，到2035年前后，每年可能有上万名外国年轻人作为互惠生遍布中国各主要城市，深入中国家庭。这个过程将促进汉语的国际传播，也让中国的文化软实力在润物细无声的交流中得到提升。
中国能否成为全球热门目的地：未来十年，一个引人遐想的问题是：中国会成为像美国、德国那样的全球互惠生热门目的地吗？要实现这一点，需综合考虑多方面因素。一是政策松绑与制度建设。如果中国能够在未来几年内推出官方认可的互惠生签证或交流项目（例如“来华家庭寄宿交流计划”），明确互惠生的法律地位和权益保障，那么将扫清最大的障碍。这一步至关重要，它决定了中国能否大规模承接外国互惠生。二是行业标准和声誉的建立。中国互惠生市场需建立良好的口碑，让外国青年相信来华互惠是安全、有益的。一旦早期参与者回国后积极传播在华美好经历，将吸引更多人效仿。三是文化包容度和软环境。中国家庭和社会对外国青年的包容接纳程度，以及城市的生活便利度，也是决定吸引力的重要因素。如果外国互惠生在华能感受到宾至如归的友善氛围，中国的吸引力自然水涨船高。纵观当前趋势，中国具备成为热门目的地的潜质：经济繁荣、文化独特、安全稳定，对国外年轻人有很强的吸引力。不过也需看到，与欧美成熟市场相比，我们在法律框架、社会认知等方面尚有差距。乐观估计，未来五到十年内，随着相关政策逐步明朗和示范项目累积经验，中国极有可能跻身全球互惠生热门目的地行列，形成**“双向奔赴”**的互惠生交流新格局。
总之，历经十多年的探索，中国互惠生行业从无到有、由小渐大，正站在新的历史起点。一方面，大批中国青年通过互惠生项目走向世界，在跨文化历练中成长；另一方面，越来越多外国青年渴望走进中国家庭，零距离感受中国的语言和生活。展望未来，在政策护航和行业努力下，互惠生这一源自西方的文化交流形式有望在中国焕发出勃勃生机，为中外人文交流写下新的篇章。
Ten-Year Review and Future Outlook of China’s Au Pair Industry
Evolution of China’s Au Pair Industry
Pioneering Chinese Au Pairs Abroad (2007–2010): The concept of “Au Pair” (互惠生) was introduced to China in 2001 by the Beijing HHS Center. After several years of groundwork, China’s first au pair exchange with the United States took off in 2007. In March 2007, the very first Chinese au pair arrived in the U.S. to live with an American host family. According to a New York Times report, this trailblazer was a young woman from Harbin named Hongbin Yu – known as “Cecilia” – who became the first Chinese participant in the U.S. cultural au pair program. She lived with a single mother in California who wanted her children exposed to Chinese from an early age. In the early 2000s, demand for Chinese au pairs in the U.S. surged, partly because many American families had adopted baby girls from China and partly due to ambitious parents hoping to give their kids a head start with Mandarin. As William Gertz, president of Au Pair in America, noted, many middle- and upper-middle-class parents sensed China’s rising influence and “did not want to be left behind”. In fact, Au Pair in America (a major agency) had no requests for Chinese au pairs until 2004, but then received about 1,400 requests in the following two years – an astonishing jump. To facilitate this, the U.S. government relaxed cultural exchange visa criteria for Chinese citizens around that time. Following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China’s global profile grew and Western families’ interest in Chinese language and culture intensified. By 2008, some European countries also began recruiting Chinese au pairs to meet local families’ desire for Mandarin-speaking caregivers.
Rise of Inbound Au Pairs in China (2010–2019): As Chinese youth ventured abroad as au pairs, foreign youths started coming to China as au pairs in the 2010s. Around 2010, major cities like Beijing and Shanghai saw their first cases of young foreigners living with local families as au pairs. For example, in late 2010 a 19-year-old German named Chris spent a gap year in Beijing, staying with a Chinese host family. His duties included assisting the host father with German-language business and helping the teenage daughter improve her English. With China’s economic rise and increasing global ties, a number of Chinese urban families became interested in hosting foreign young people for childcare and cultural exchange. In the mid-2010s, agencies in China (such as Early Bird in Beijing, LoPair in Hangzhou) partnered with overseas au pair organizations to promote programs bringing foreigners to China. Young people from Europe and North America were drawn by the chance to experience China affordably while tutoring children in English. By around 2017, it’s estimated that a few hundred foreign au pairs were in China each year on a semi-formal basis, mostly in first-tier cities. However, due to visa limitations (detailed below), these inbound au pairs often came on tourist or student visas, keeping the practice in a legal gray zone. Toward the late 2010s, as Chinese authorities increased oversight of illegal employment, the inbound au pair segment faced greater scrutiny and began to plateau pending regulatory clarity.
Cleanup and Regulation (2020 to Present): Around 2019–2020, China’s au pair industry — especially the inbound segment — underwent a major cleanup. In the preceding years, several high-profile crackdowns on illegal “foreign nanny” intermediaries signaled a stricter approach. For instance, in 2018 police in Ningbo busted a ring that had smuggled 33 illegal foreign domestic workers (mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia) into China. These women, who came under the guise of tourists or business visitors, worked as live-in nannies teaching children English and doing housework for about RMB 7,000–8,000 per month. Authorities arrested seven organizers (including a Chinese-Canadian ringleader) and deported the 33 “three-illegal” foreigners, while fining the host employers ¥10,000 each and charging them for deportation costs. Chinese law explicitly stipulates that foreigners are prohibited from engaging in domestic work in mainland China, and employing one illegally can incur heavy fines. Through 2020 and beyond, immigration and public security bureaus across China have continued to clamp down on underground au pair agencies and illegal foreign workers. This enforcement pressure forced the au pair industry to seek compliance. Agencies began to explore legal pathways — for example, registering as cultural exchange programs and ensuring foreign participants hold student (X) visas by enrolling them in language courses. Reputable organizations also started formalizing their programs: providing insurance, arranging Mandarin classes, and emphasizing cultural exchange over labor. After a few years of this regulatory purge, China’s au pair industry is now more standardized, albeit at a smaller scale than its peak. The focus has shifted to operating within legal boundaries and building a foundation for sustainable growth.
Global Trends in the Au Pair Industry
United States: Adjustments and Challenges: The United States hosts one of the world’s largest and most structured au pair programs. Since the State Department launched the J-1 au pair visa category in 1986, hundreds of thousands of young people have participated. From 2009 to 2018 alone, about 160,000 au pairs came to the U.S. under the program. In a typical pre-pandemic year, roughly 20,000 new au pairs arrive in America, with top sending countries including Brazil, Colombia, and Germany. In recent years, the U.S. au pair market has experienced both legal and pandemic-related upheavals. In 2019, a class-action lawsuit involving 10,000 au pairs shook the industry: 11 former au pairs from Colombia, Australia, Germany, South Africa, and Mexico alleged that agencies colluded to keep stipends low, ignoring overtime and state labor laws. The suit was settled when 15 State Department-designated au pair agencies agreed to a $65.5 million settlement. As part of the settlement, agencies had to notify families and au pairs that stipends can be negotiated above the minimum of $195.75 per week. Though the agencies admitted no wrongdoing, this outcome prompted higher pay expectations and greater awareness of au pairs’ rights in the U.S. Then, in 2020, COVID-19 hit. The Trump administration temporarily suspended entry of new J-1 au pairs (from June through year-end 2020) via an immigration proclamation. Many au pairs already in-country extended their stays, while families awaiting new arrivals were left in limbo. By late 2021, the U.S. lifted most travel and visa restrictions, and the au pair pipeline gradually restarted. However, the pandemic era also brought renewed scrutiny to au pair working conditions; for example, a 2018 Massachusetts law affirmed that au pairs are domestic workers entitled to state minimum wage and overtime, significantly increasing costs for host families there. Facing such pressures, the State Department in 2023 even announced a moratorium on expanding the au pair program’s size, focusing on improving oversight of existing operations. In summary, the U.S. au pair sector saw a dip during 2020–2021 but is rebounding as travel normalizes. The experience has led to a more rights-conscious approach and discussions about the balance between cultural exchange and labor standards.
Europe: Steady Popularity and Shifts: Europe, where the au pair concept originated, continues to thrive as a hub for au pair exchanges. Many European countries have longstanding legal frameworks (such as the 1969 European Agreement on Au Pair Placement) that provide guidelines on au pair age, working hours, language course enrollment, and more. In recent years, the European au pair landscape has remained robust while undergoing some shifts. Germany is a prime example: in 2017, about 13,500 foreign au pairs worked in Germany, and the number kept rising annually, reaching nearly 15,000 in 2019. German host families have traditionally welcomed au pairs from Georgia, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries, but lately South America has emerged as a growing source (with Colombia entering the top three origin countries in 2019). Roughly half of Germany’s au pairs come from non-EU countries (requiring about 7,900 visas in 2019) and the other half from within the EU (around 7,000 who don’t need visas). Obtaining an au pair visa for Germany can be a lengthy process (12–16 weeks) depending on the country. Meanwhile, some traditional patterns are changing: for instance, fewer German young people are choosing the UK or U.S. for their au pair stint, possibly due to Brexit and changing perceptions, and are opting for destinations like Australia or staying within Europe. Other European countries such as France, Spain, and Italy each host a few thousand au pairs per year, drawing many from Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. European host families often desire English-speaking au pairs, whereas European au pairs frequently go to English-speaking countries to improve their English. However, there’s growing diversity; for example, post-2008 saw a rising interest among Western European families in Chinese au pairs to expose their children to Chinese language and culture. Overall, Europe’s au pair market remains vibrant and culturally ingrained. Governments generally view au pair programs as valuable cultural exchanges and support them with regulations that safeguard the experience for both au pairs and families.
China’s Changing Role on the Global Stage: China’s role in the global au pair ecosystem is evolving from primarily a “sending country” to a dual role of sender and emerging host. In the 2000s, China was almost exclusively an exporter of au pairs — young Chinese, mostly women, going to the U.S. and Europe to provide childcare while sharing language and culture. At that time, only a handful of foreigners came to China as au pairs. In the 2010s, with China’s rise, it gradually became a destination in its own right for au pairs. Many international au pair agencies started listing China as an option, and some Western youngsters began considering “au pairing” in China as an exciting gap-year adventure that offers travel and Chinese language immersion. On the outbound side, Chinese participants remain a small but growing part of global au pair flows. Germany has been a particularly popular destination for Chinese au pairs due to relatively accessible visa policies, and France and the U.S. also host Chinese au pairs each year. By the late 2010s, it’s estimated that a few thousand Chinese had joined au pair programs abroad (cumulatively), valued for their educational background and the Chinese language skills they bring to host families. Today, China is recognized not just as a source of au pairs but increasingly as a potential host market. Yet, compared to traditional destinations, China’s au pair hosting is still in its infancy and not officially sanctioned. This could change: China’s role is becoming more multi-faceted, simultaneously sending its youth overseas and trying to attract foreign youth to Chinese homes. In doing so, China is inching toward true two-way cultural exchange in the au pair sphere, even as it navigates the challenges of that transition.
Policy Environment of China’s Au Pair Industry
Visa and Legal Status: A key challenge for au pair programs in China is the lack of a clear legal status for au pairs. Unlike countries with dedicated au pair visa categories, China currently has no specific “au pair visa.” Moreover, Chinese law stipulates that foreigners are not allowed to engage in domestic work in mainland China, or else it is deemed illegal employment. This legal stance directly complicates the situation of inbound au pairs, since their typical duties — child care and light housework in a private home — fall under “domestic service.” In strictly legal terms, a foreign au pair in China could be seen as working illegally. To work around this, agencies and host families have adopted creative solutions. Most inbound au pairs enter China on student (X) visas or occasionally non-commercial visit (F) visas, rather than work visas. Under this framework, the au pair is officially a student or cultural exchange visitor, often enrolled in part-time Mandarin classes to fulfill visa requirements. The host family usually provides an invitation letter for visa purposes, describing the au pair as a cultural exchange participant or family tutor rather than a nanny. In addition, the au pair’s stipend is kept modest (commonly around RMB 2,000 per month, roughly equivalent to 100–200 euros) and is referred to as “pocket money” to emphasize it is not a formal wage. The family covers the au pair’s room and board and is expected to treat them as a temporary family member, not an employee. Despite these arrangements, the ambiguity of the au pair’s legal standing means if disputes arise, they cannot be easily resolved through Chinese labor law, and the au pair has limited legal protection.
Crackdowns on Illegal Intermediaries: The gray area around au pair legality has in the past been exploited by illicit agencies and led to incidents of illegal foreign workers. In the mid-2010s, a black market emerged for foreign domestic helpers in China – often called “洋保姆” (foreign nannies) – with some agencies smuggling women from Southeast Asia to work for affluent families. These individuals usually entered on false pretenses (tourist, business visas, or even covert border crossings) and then overstayed to work as live-in help, which made them “three illegal” foreigners (非法入境, 非法居留, 非法就业). Starting in 2017, Chinese authorities have actively cracked down on such operations. For example, a case in Suzhou (Jiangsu Province) in 2017 prosecuted individuals for organizing others to illegally cross borders to supply Filipina maids. The high-profile Ningbo case of 2018, mentioned earlier, uncovered dozens of illegal foreign nannies and resulted in arrests and deportations. In early 2024, prosecutors in Ningbo’s Yinzhou District charged an intermediary who, since 2017, had been fraudulently obtaining tourist visas to bring in Indonesian and Burmese women to work as domestics, earning over ¥100,000 illicitly over seven years. Courts have consistently enforced penalties in such cases and reiterated the legal prohibition on foreigners doing domestic work. The Ningbo cases also highlighted the risks: Some foreign maids were exploited by having most of their wages withheld by intermediaries, and employers themselves face fines and no legal recourse if the arrangement goes awry. These crackdowns convey a clear message: any au pair-like arrangement in China must steer clear of resembling illegal employment. For legitimate au pair promoters, the only viable path is to frame the program strictly as cultural and educational exchange, not as labor. There have been calls within the industry for clearer regulations – perhaps a new visa category or an official exchange program – to properly legalize au pairs in China. Until such policies materialize, au pair programs in China will have to operate cautiously within existing legal confines, ensuring compliance to avoid falling afoul of immigration and labor laws.
Toward Compliance and Best Practices: In response to the legal challenges, Chinese au pair agencies in recent years have been proactively adjusting their practices to move toward compliance. One major strategy is integrating educational components: many au pair programs now require foreign au pairs to take formal Chinese language classes during their stay, which justifies their student visa and reinforces the cultural exchange aspect. This not only legitimizes their presence but also enriches their experience. Agencies are also improving contract agreements, explicitly outlining that the placement is an exchange program and not an employment relationship. Detailed three-party agreements (agency, host family, au pair) help define expectations, such as working hours (often around 25–30 hours/week of childcare and tutoring), time for language study, and time off. Moreover, agencies have stepped up host family screening and training. Families are educated on cultural differences and the non-employment nature of au pair arrangements to prevent misunderstandings (for example, clarifying that an au pair is not a full-time maid or nanny). On the government side, while there’s no dedicated au pair regulation yet, we see hints of related policy interest. China has been considering regulated pathways for foreign domestic workers at a high level (e.g. hiring foreign nannies for specialized needs), but these discussions emphasize high-skilled or high-end housekeeping and do not specifically address young cultural exchange au pairs. The consensus remains that regular domestic work by foreigners is off-limits. Therefore, legitimate au pair programs must continue aligning with education and cultural exchange domains. Encouragingly, some local authorities have shown understanding by not clamping down on bona fide cultural homestay programs – especially when these programs are small-scale, well-documented, and have good oversight. In summary, China’s policy environment is gradually evolving. While significant legal obstacles remain, the trend is toward greater transparency and structure in how au pair exchanges are conducted. The industry is learning to work within the system, and there is cautious optimism that with persistent dialogue and demonstrated benefits, official recognition or pilot programs for au pairs in China could emerge in the future.
Impact of Post-Pandemic Changes on Au Pairs (Tourism & Education Sectors)
Travel Rebound and Mobility: The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought international travel to a standstill, abruptly halting au pair exchanges worldwide. Border closures and visa suspensions meant that many planned au pair placements were canceled or postponed. In China, strict inbound travel restrictions from 2020 through 2022 effectively froze the inbound au pair segment; likewise, Chinese au pairs faced difficulties going abroad amid flight cancellations and quarantine rules. The United States paused new J-1 au pair visas for several critical months in 2020, and European countries temporarily stopped issuing au pair visas as well. Host families who already had au pairs often extended their stays because no replacements could arrive, leading to unusual situations where some au pairs stayed 18–24 months with one family. By mid-2021, as vaccines rolled out, countries cautiously reopened their borders. The U.S. lifted its travel ban on most exchange visitors by late 2021, and European nations started processing au pair visas again. China was among the last to fully reopen, only cancelling most quarantine and visa restrictions by early 2023. This reopening of global travel has been a lifeline for the au pair industry’s recovery. International flight volumes are climbing back, and visa sections are working through backlogs. There is significant pent-up demand: young people are eager to resume cultural travel opportunities, and host families — especially in the U.S. and Europe — once again have access to the au pair candidate pools they relied on. By 2023, many agencies reported a strong resurgence in applications. For China specifically, outbound au pair numbers are picking up as Chinese youth regain the ability to go abroad, and interest in inbound au pairs is reawakening now that foreign students and tourists can enter the country relatively freely. In essence, the revival of tourism and international mobility post-pandemic is re-opening the channels necessary for au pair exchanges to flourish.
Changes in the Education Sector: The pandemic also transformed educational norms, which in turn have nuanced effects on au pair programs. On one hand, the rise of online learning and virtual exchanges provided alternative ways for children to get exposure to foreign languages and cultures — potentially reducing reliance on having a physical au pair. For example, during lockdowns some families tried virtual au pair sessions or online language tutors. However, the limitations of online interaction became apparent; many parents and students developed a greater appreciation for in-person cultural exchange. This bodes well for au pairs, as families recognize the unique value of having a real person from another country living and interacting with their children, which Zoom lessons cannot replicate. Additionally, after periods of isolated or remote learning, children and young adults are hungry for immersive experiences. As schools reopened, there has been a global trend of youth reconsidering their academic and career plans — some opting to take a gap year or defer university admission to travel or gain life experience. Au pair programs have benefited from this trend. Many recent graduates in the West, for instance, chose to spend 6-12 months as an au pair abroad, making up for lost travel opportunities due to COVID. This includes coming to China: with China’s borders open, foreign students of Chinese and international relations majors are keen to finally spend time in the country they’ve been studying from afar. On the domestic front in China, changes like the “double reduction” policy (双减) that limits excessive after-school tutoring have made parents seek more holistic and informal ways to enrich their children’s education. For some, hosting an au pair who can provide language practice and cultural broadening fits this need perfectly. In summary, shifts in education post-pandemic – a blend of more online options but also a renewed desire for real-world engagement – have highlighted the au pair model’s distinct niche. Au pairs offer a form of experiential learning and global exposure that complements formal education. This recognition is increasing among parents worldwide, thereby influencing demand for au pairs in a positive way.
U.S. Market Changes & Lessons for China: The post-pandemic state of the U.S. au pair market provides valuable insights for China’s au pair industry. Firstly, the U.S. showed how government flexibility can keep exchange programs afloat during crises: measures like automatic visa status extensions for au pairs, remote orientations, and emergency rule tweaks helped sustain the program through lockdowns. For China, which might consider formalizing au pair exchanges, having contingency plans (for instance, allowing visa extensions in emergencies) will be important. Secondly, the pandemic brought au pair working conditions under sharper focus in the U.S. Issues such as healthcare access, sick leave, and burnout were highlighted when au pairs were confined with families for longer periods. American host families and agencies had to improve support and clarify expectations during this time. China can preemptively learn from this by ensuring that any future au pair scheme addresses well-being and support systems (perhaps mandating host family rest days for au pairs, backup plans if either party falls ill, etc.). Another trend in the U.S. has been digitalization: even before COVID, but accelerated by it, the process of matching au pairs with families has moved increasingly online, with virtual interviews and even virtual “cultural training.” Chinese au pair agencies are adopting similar practices, utilizing social media and matchmaking platforms to pair hosts with candidates efficiently. This tech-savvy approach will likely be standard going forward. Lastly, the U.S. experience reaffirmed the importance of framing the au pair program as a cultural exchange rather than just childcare. During the pandemic, many voices in the U.S. emphasized that au pairs are meant to become part of the family and share culture, not simply serve as cheap babysitters — an ethos that was somewhat lost in the pre-2019 commercialization. For China, as it nurtures its au pair industry, keeping this cultural exchange spirit front and center is crucial to avoid pitfalls. In sum, the upheavals of 2020–2022 have led to a kind of “reset” in the au pair world. By observing the U.S. and other mature markets’ adjustments, China’s developing au pair sector can glean lessons on resilience, safety, rights, and the core value of these programs.
Future Outlook: The Next Decade for China’s Au Pair Industry
Growth Potential of the Chinese Market: Looking ahead, the Chinese au pair market holds significant untapped potential. China’s urban middle class has expanded rapidly, and with it the demand for quality childcare and early education options that include international exposure. This means if au pair programs can be operated on a legal, reputable footing, many Chinese families would be interested in hosting an au pair for language and cultural benefits. On the outbound side, every year a large number of Chinese college graduates and young people are eager to go abroad to broaden their horizons. The au pair pathway offers them an affordable, structured means to live overseas for a year, which will likely remain appealing especially as awareness grows. We can expect that as more returned Chinese au pairs share their positive experiences, interest among Chinese youth will further increase. For inbound au pairs, if China were to establish a clear visa category or official exchange program for au pairs in the coming years, it could unlock a wave of foreign applicants. China has the potential to become one of the leading au pair hosts in Asia if formal regulations are put in place – possibly even rivaling Western countries in numbers by the end of the decade. Pilot programs in highly internationalized cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, etc.) could pave the way, demonstrating success before scaling up nationally. In the most optimistic scenario, within ten years China’s au pair industry could transition from its current niche status to a more mainstream, well-regulated sector. Market size might multiply, with perhaps thousands of families hosting au pairs and robust exchanges sending Chinese au pairs abroad. Such growth, however, hinges on policy support and industry credibility built in the interim.
The “Mandarin Fever” Advantage: The global boom in learning Chinese is a major tailwind for China’s attractiveness as an au pair destination. As of 2008, an estimated 40 million people worldwide were studying Chinese as a second language, and forecasts projected this number to reach 100 million by 2020. While the 100 million figure may not yet have been fully realized, there is no doubt interest in Mandarin has skyrocketed. This plays directly into the au pair arena: a significant number of those Chinese learners are young people who would jump at an opportunity to immerse themselves in a Chinese-speaking environment. For many college students or recent grads majoring in Chinese, international relations, or East Asian studies, spending time in China is invaluable. Au pair programs offer a unique chance to live with a local family, practice the language daily, and experience Chinese culture beyond what a classroom can provide – all without the expense of a traditional study-abroad program. We are already seeing this interest: agencies report that applicants from countries like Germany, France, the U.S., and even as far as South America have a common motivation of improving their Chinese and understanding China firsthand. Over the next decade, this trend will likely strengthen. If China can safely and legally accommodate these young enthusiasts, the influx of au pairs could grow exponentially. By around 2030, it’s conceivable that China could host tens of thousands of foreign au pairs annually, spread across major metropolitan areas and even extending to secondary cities, as more families become open to the idea. This would not only satisfy the cultural curiosity of foreign youth but also serve China’s soft power interests by creating legions of informal “ambassadors” who have lived in China and understand it deeply.
China as a Top Au Pair Destination? A big question for the next ten years is whether China will join the ranks of the U.S. and Europe as a premier au pair destination globally. Achieving this will require progress on multiple fronts. Policy and Legality is the foremost factor: without a legal framework, large-scale growth is untenable. If, for instance, the government introduced a “foreign youth homestay exchange” visa category, similar to the U.S. J-1, with clear rules on duration, age (perhaps 18–30), allowed activities (cultural exchange and light childcare), and oversight by approved agencies, it would be a game-changer. This would provide legal certainty and attract many more participants. Industry Standards and Reputation are another factor. The Chinese au pair industry will need to build trust internationally. This means ensuring good experiences for early participants — if the pioneer cohort of au pairs in China returns home with glowing reviews, word of mouth will spread. Success stories (e.g. an American au pair who became “like an elder sibling” to a Chinese host child, or a French au pair who mastered Chinese cooking with her host mom) can significantly boost China’s appeal. Conversely, any widely reported negative incidents could hamper growth, so quality control is key. Cultural Readiness is also essential: Chinese families and society need to be prepared to welcome foreign au pairs in larger numbers. This involves language readiness (someone in the household should speak decent English to communicate initially), understanding of cultural differences, and an open attitude to integrating a non-relative into the family. There are encouraging signs – younger, well-traveled Chinese parents are often quite enthusiastic about these exchanges – but it will take continual cultural acclimatization as numbers grow. If these pieces fall into place, China could indeed become a sought-after au pair destination within the next decade. It’s not far-fetched to imagine that by 2035, China might be mentioned alongside the U.S., Germany, and France as one of the top countries for an au pair experience, especially for those interested in Asia. The result would be a truly reciprocal exchange: Chinese au pairs enriching lives abroad, and foreign au pairs doing the same in China, each building bridges of understanding.
Conclusion: Over the past ten-plus years, China’s au pair industry has journeyed from its inception to a budding stage of development. Chinese “互惠生” have ventured across the globe, gaining invaluable experiences and fostering people-to-people connections, while China has tentatively opened its doors to foreign au pairs, learning how to host and benefit from these exchanges. The road has not been without hurdles — legal ambiguities, pandemic disruptions, cultural adjustments — yet the momentum for exchange remains strong. In the coming years, with prudent policy support and dedicated efforts by industry stakeholders, the au pair model could flourish in China. This would not only provide Chinese families and children with rich cross-cultural experiences at home, but also offer young people worldwide a chance to form authentic connections with China. In an increasingly interconnected world, such grassroots cultural exchange is of immense value. The next decade will be pivotal for China’s au pair journey, and all signs suggest that the story is just beginning.
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