Perhaps, deciding to be an au pair is one of the hardest thing I've done. It was never a part of my plan; I have never imagined that this is the path that I would take. But regardless of my narrowmindedness, at least when it comes to the things that I plan for myself, here I am, one step closer to my dreams.
In this blog post, I am gonna write about all the processes that I've done and encountered while I was preparing for my au pair journey. An acquaintance of mine shared their list regarding their experience but again, to each their own as I always say.
This will only encompass the paper's processing; both the experience and the challenges I've encountered. The part before leaving the country and catching my flight would be posted on another blog; the same with the embassy interview and the preparation for it. This is written in step-by-step order.
Coordination with the Host Family
This is the most important thing of all. In this portion, you can already show them that you are well-researched on the application-filing already.
Prepare the following documents immediately:
1. Scanned copy of your ORIGINAL or Certified True Copy of your Birth Certificate (PSA Copy, the Yellow one);
2. Scanned copy of your passport ALL PAGES (sama mo na cover, honestly); make sure that it has still a three (3) year validity; a sane suggestion since Denmark Au Pair Contracts can last up to 2 years;
3. Scanned copy of your educational records (Diploma and TOR; if wala, high school diploma and your Form 137; no need na magpasa ng original so wag na kayo kumuha, sayang lang ang gastos. Photox lang din naman ipapasa niyo sa VFS);
4. Vaccination Card (it depends on your host family but not really required as of now; 7/8/21)
Your host family will ask you for these documents before they pay for your Case Order on the Danish Agency, SIRI. The Case Order is your 'case' or application filed to be documented as an au pair in Denmark.
Filling of Application
Usually, host families prefer the online platform because it's easier to navigate and the submission is directly transmitted to SIRI (The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration; don't ask me why it's acronymes as SIRI, hehe). You can access the log in page on here. All your questions regarding the application as an au pair can be look up on this page. The New to Denmark page is really helpful regarding this one.
Your host family will fill up the online application form first. Afterwards, they will give you a Reference Number and a Password. This is a *NEW* reference number and password which is unique from the first one given to them when they paid for the Case Order Number. I encountered a problem in this part because my host family failed to note the new ref no and password that's why we resorted on using the paper-based application form. This can be found on this website.
This time, you would be the first one to fill out your portion. I used the PDF format because I don't really want to write because it sucks and I want it to look nice. You just have to print out the portion where you have to sign because you have to sign that up in real time (I will discourage using e-sig). Afterwards, ask the host family to send you their portions (Part 2 and 3) because you need this for your VFS submission to do your biometrics and your embassy interview for your visa/residence permit.
A tip, when you guys are filling out the portion of the schedule of activities as seen on the photo below, make sure that 12:00-1:00pm is free because are CFO guys will question you why you don't have a lunch break (which is kinda stupid imo because in the first place, THIS IS NOT A JOB, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO EAT ANYTIME. Why do you need a lunch break?)
Payment of Visa/Work Permit and Reserving your VFS Appointment
Once your application form is done you can now proceed to the next step. This is paying for your visa/work permit and the reservation of your VFS Appointment.
* VFS Appointment
You can do it on website: VFS Global. You have to create your account and then reserve a slot for your appearance. Don't pay anything on the website, you can pay directly on VFS when you submit your requirements. As a rule of thumb, get the earliest possible schedule that you can get.
* Payment of Visa/Work Permit
I don't know about other countries but in Denmark, your Visa and Residence/Work Permit are the same. Before appearing to VFS to submit your application, you have to pay for your visa already because it is one of the requirements. You can pay it on this website and apparently, they only accept credit cards as per one of my au pair acquaintance.
I don't really have an experience when it comes to paying for my visa because my host family fortunately paid for it as well. In Philippine peso, it is probably around 12-14k depending on the currency conversion during your time of application.
VFS Submission
The night before your VFS schedule of submission and appearance, make sure to check not once, not twice but thrice (or as much as you can until you're confident enough that you are prepared) the requirements that you have to bring with you.
Requirements to Bring (Just ONE COPY EACH. Please save the environment.)
1. Case Order Payment Receipt (very important)
2. Application Form (make sure that it's complete and has 23 pages, with complete signatures)
3. Other attachments such as: passports of your host mom and dad, certificates of insurance if you already have it, and vaccination card if you are already vaccinated
4. ORIGINAL PSA Birth Certificate
5. ORIGINAL Passport
6. Photocopy of your passport (all pages)
7. Photocopy of your Diploma and TOR
8. Receipt for Purchase of your Visa or Residence/Work Permit
What to Wear
Since they will also do your biometrics upon submission of your documents, wear something that is passable on a regular passport appointment:
As for me, I wore a black jeans that camouflages as a slack and a maroon blouse. Honestly, if you're working in a corporate office, wear what you wear in there. It doesn't have to be too professional. Also, don't wear heavy make up. Just be your fresh you.
Getting There
Be sure also that you know how to get there by commuting if you're like me who doesn't really know anyone who can take me around the city. The address is written on your appointment letter:
As I would really want to help everyone out, I am also gonna tell you how to get there.
The easiest route to take is this:
1. Ride the MRT 3 Train and alight at Magallanes Station.
2. Go in the San Lorenzo Place Mall; entrance is directly attached to the Magallanes MRT Station and you will also see the Chino Roces sign at the entrance of the mall.
3. Go to the ground floor and exit on the door which will take you to Chino Roces. Trust me, you can feel that you're lost if you got out of the mall and you face EDSA again. Haha. The image below is what you'll see if you got out of the correct entrance/exit. I am sorry if I forgot what shop was in beside the mall entrance/exit.
5. The driver will drop you off there even if you don't bother to remind him because there are a lot of people commuting towards the place. But if you're like me who is a sigurista, if you already can see a big-ass DHL building, you are already there. It is directly opposite of the Ecoplaza building.
Finally at VFS
Here's the thing, although they said that you should be there 15 minutes before your appointment, if you're early, like an hour early, they are going to accommodate you if there are not much applicants inside their office.
The office in-charge of the application in Denmark is located at the ground floor along with those of Norway, Belgium, Hungary, Austria, Poland, among the few countries that I can remember. It is adjacent on the nearby 7Eleven and in front of a café that I forgot the name. If your country is not mentioned here, the office that will be processing your appointment is located at the second floor, for sure.
You'll enter, get a number from the guard after filling out a contact-tracing form then go inside to wait your turn. The Denmark country is the last one besides the biometrics room.
The clerk will get your documents, check it, ask for a payment for their processing (P1230.00 during my time of submission - LBC Shipment included because you don't have to pick up your passport anymore due to COVID). Afterwards, you'll receive your Denmark Embassy Interview Letter where your appointment is indicated. Then, the lady will ask you to go to one of their biometrics room, take a photo of you and get your fingerprints.
Now, all you're waiting for is the Embassy Interview. This is the most nerve-wracking part. If you're kinda unfortunate like me who sadly have to wait due to a Danish holiday in July, my interview was almost a month away from my day of submission. I waited for 28 long days!
Anyway, enough for this one. :)
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