Au pair no visa

[rowboyes]

I have recently been looking for an au pair and had a Colombian girl, who is currently working as an au pair in Switzerland, message me very keen to start.
She is actually due to come over on Friday but there have been a couple of red flags.

I thought she said she had a 6 month visa but I have found out this is a visitor one and doesn't permit her to work as an au pair in the UK. She says it doesn't matter and she knows lots of others who have done it this way. This is also the same way she did it when she went to work in Switzerland.
She wanted me to write in her invitation letter than she will be here on holiday with me for 2 weeks (although she wanted to stay for 6 months).

She also said she would be getting the train here as she doesn't like airplanes.

The final red flag is that she hasn't really asked any questions about myself, my family, living arrangements etc.

Has anyone taken on an au pair this way before, what would the repercussions for myself be?

Thanks in advance!

It's a criminal offence to give accommodation to a person without a right to reside. You're mad.

What would be the implications of illegally employing someone with no right to work in the UK, and as a result also meaning you wouldn't be paying income tax or NI? No idea, but it's not going to be a polite reminder to not do it again, is it. I'd imagine very big trouble.

Cancel the arrangement. The whole thing is going to turn into a mess. I know it's hard to find au pairs these days but keep looking.

By all means, write the letter for her - and I doubt you will ever see her or hear from her once she gets here! She doesn't need to ask questions about you or your set-up if she has no intention of working for you! Have you even spoken to the family she is working for in Switzerland?

You're mad.

I think the fact she’s proven herself to be dishonest with no regard for the law would be enough for me to give a firm no on trusting her with my children, Also as she hasn’t bothered to ask about your family how do either of you know if it’s going to be a successful arrangement. Spells disaster to me.

Thank you all, I think I was being very naive but now realise that she could potentially just be using me as a way of getting into the UK. I will cancel her immediately.

Hello - just wondered if you had any luck finding an au pair? I'm considering using an agency to avoid some of the pitfalls you have described around visas etc...

Hi @ready2stand I’m afraid I haven’t had any luck at all and have given up looking to be honest. Good luck in your search

@rowboyes oh that's a shame but it sounds like you made the right decision. I registered with an agency after I posted and have interviews lined up over the weekend already so will let you know if that's any good! all the best.