Cultural exchange & volunteering
Au pair or voluntary service?
Compare family life with a social placement. Choose the activity you actually want to do; each has its own agreement and visa conditions.
Reviewed
Check these conditions
- Au pair: at least 18 at the start, below 27 for the visa application, and basic German at A1 level. The purpose is cultural exchange with childcare in a host family.[1][2]
- FSJ: compulsory full-time schooling completed and under 27. BFD: compulsory schooling completed, with no upper age limit.[3][4]
- For voluntary service, clarify the placement agreement, living costs and language expectations with the provider. A fixed A2 requirement does not apply to every placement.[5]
Documents to prepare
Starting points for preparation. The official checklist for your application may require additional documents.[2][5]
- Passport, CV and your own motivation letter
- Au pair contract or signed voluntary service agreement
- Language evidence or the volunteer provider’s language confirmation
- Insurance and evidence of the agreed financial support
Your next three steps
Choose one activity
Add your preferred path, language level and relevant experience to your profile.
Clarify the placement
Ask the family or provider about duties, accommodation, support and start date. Upload the agreement when available.
Use the right application route
Kigali currently uses an appointment waiting list for au pairs and website booking for voluntary service. Check the current instructions before applying.[6]
An au pair stay does not secure a subsequent BFD placement. Discuss a change to BFD with the immigration authority before starting it.[4]
How Nutchi helps
Nutchi keeps your selected path, placement documents and the team’s feedback together. Questions about preparation can be followed up in your account.
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