How much does it typically cost to host an au pair for a year? How much is the application process?

Answer 1

Assuming that you are in the US, and that you plan to go through an agency (they will secure the legal work permit for the girl, there are only a few agency abilitated to do this in the US), here is a break down:

about 5000 US dollar for the agency: these will cover
*travelling cost of the au-pair to your house (indipendently from where she lives) and her return home ticket
*a red-cross course upon arrival, instruction days at agency residence
*affiliation to the au-pair groups (this is really good to have, as the au-pair otherwise does not get many chances to meet people and as a consequence is always with you)
*a replacement for the au-pair for free if it turns out to be a bad match, or if she leaves before the end of the year

Then there is the cost of room and board (you need the space in your home, and food has a cost), and her "pocket money", about 150 US a week.

For this you get 35 hours a week of work, that can be light housework and mainly child-care related. There are specific rules on free-time, there are many websites describing it.

Answer 2

http://www.aupaircare.com/
Depends on lots of things, but this website can help!