Au pair program in China
A language and cultural exchange: study Mandarin on a student visa, live with a Chinese host family and share your culture with their children.
- months in China
- 3–12
- monthly education subsidy
- US$500
- hours a week with the children
- 30–35
- student visa
- X1 / X2
What's covered
This is an exchange: the essentials are taken care of, with no hidden costs.
From Waupair China
- Language school registration
- Mandarin tuition, covered by us
- Flight reimbursement
- Insurance for your whole stay
- Help with your student visa documents
- Support from our Shanghai team
From your host family
- Accommodation in the family home
- Meals with the family
- US$500 monthly education subsidy
- A warm welcome into family life
Your part of the exchange
Accompany the children
30 to 35 hours a week: play, read, chat in English and join the children on outings.
Study Mandarin
Attend your language school classes and practise every day at home.
Join family life
Share meals, festivals and weekends, and share your own culture too.
A few days with Lara and her host family
Lara's host mom shared these photos with us. This is what the exchange really looks like: everyday moments, days out and a little girl who adores her au pair.
From your first message to your first day in China
Every step is planned and handled by our team in Shanghai, so you always know what comes next.
- 1
Apply
Email us your resume and a one-minute video, or create a profile in one minute with our short form. Our Shanghai team replies within two business days.
- 2
Get to know us
On a video call we learn about you, your experience with children and your plans, and answer every question you have about life in China.
- 3
Meet host families
We introduce you to screened host families that suit your profile. You meet them by video call and choose the one that feels right. Nothing is decided until you are happy.
- 4
Agree everything in writing
Your weekly hours with the children, time off, room and education subsidy are set out in writing before you book anything.
- 5
School and visa
We register you at a language school and cover your tuition. The school issues your admission documents, and we guide you through your X1 or X2 student visa application.
- 6
Arrive and settle in
Fly to China (we reimburse your flight), meet your host family and start classes. We help you with the usual local paperwork, like registering your address. On an X1 visa, we also guide you through your residence permit, a routine step for longer stays.
- 7
Support whenever you need it
Our Shanghai team is one message away on WhatsApp, WeChat or email. Whenever you or your host family reach out, we listen and help you sort things out.
Your safety comes first
Moving to a new country is a big step. These safeguards are built into every Waupair China exchange.
Screened host families
Every family is interviewed and checked by our team before joining the program. Before you arrive, we give your family a checklist so your room is properly prepared.
A legal student visa
You enter China on an X1 or X2 student visa, never a tourist visa, so your stay is fully above board.
Insurance from day one
We provide insurance for your whole stay, so you are covered from the moment you land.
A written agreement
Hours, time off and your education subsidy are agreed in writing, so everyone knows what to expect.
A way forward if a match isn’t right
Talk to us. We listen to both sides, help solve the problem and, if needed, help you move to a new host family.
Real people nearby
Our team is based in Shanghai, not overseas. You can message us, call us or visit our office.
More practical tips on our safety page.
The most professional au pair program in China
Our story began in 1993 as the travel division of a state-owned enterprise. In 2001 it became an independent international travel agency, Shanghai Yunhe International Travel Agency, creating tailor-made trips for families in China. Many of those families have trusted us for 10 to 20 years, and when they asked us to help them welcome an au pair, we built a dedicated team. In 2024 that team became its own company: Waupair China. The name comes from “Wow Pair”, because we want every au pair and host family we match to say “Wow!”
Today we take care of the complicated parts so you don't have to: language school registration and tuition, visa documents, insurance, flight reimbursement and support on the ground. Everything runs on the legal student visa route, and every arrangement is agreed in writing before you travel.
Our headquarters is in TODTOWN Skyline (天荟悦麟), right above TODTOWN mall in Minhang District, Shanghai. From your first message to your flight home, you are dealing with real people you can call, message or visit.
Ready for your year in China?
Applying takes a few minutes. No resume yet? Create a profile in one minute instead.