The Immigration and National Enquiry Board regulates employment as an au pair in the U.K. This board ensures that the person applying for an au pair position meets all immigration requirements to work in the U.K. When applying to become an au pair, there are certain requirements that must be met. These include that the individual is between the ages of 17 and 27, and that they are coming to the U.K. to study English. Au pairs may live with an English speaking family within the U.K. for up to two years. The workday consists of no less than five hours a day and individuals are allowed at least two full days off per week. The au pair scheme, or program, in the U.K. requires that applying au pairs be a national of Andorra, Faroe Islands, Romania, Bosnia, Greenland, San Marino, Republic of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Turkey, Croatia, or Monaco. Nationals who are part of the European Economic Area are free to come to the U.K. for employment as an au pair.

The Border and Immigration Board and the Immigration and National Enquiry Board work together in setting the guidelines that au pairs must meet to apply. This is a way to maintain immigration control and be sure that the individuals allowed to work in the U.K. are following immigration laws and policies. To qualify as an au pair, the individual must not be married, have no dependants, will not need public fund assistance, plan to work as an au pair for no more than two years, and must depart the U.K. when the au pair position has ended. Au pair positions require a strict application process to ensure they are to be legally employed for the two-year period in the U.K.