France Au Pair Visa: Duration & How to Apply

What Is the France Au Pair Visa?

The France Au Pair visa is a Long–Stay (VLS‑TS) visa that allows non-EU citizens aged 18 to 30 to reside with an unrelated host family for over 90 days, helping with childcare and household tasks. However, they can only work for a maximum of five hours daily and 25 hours weekly.

The France Au Pair visa is valid for up to 12 months, extendable for another 12 months if the applicant continues to meet the requirements. The au pair (jeune au pair) must also commit to learning the French language and culture during their stay. 

Intending au pairs must apply for the visa in their country of residence up to 3 months before their planned travel date and obtain approval before travelling to France. The visa functions as a temporary residence permit, and the applicant does not need to apply for a new permit. However, when the au pair arrives in France, they and their host family must validate the visa with the relevant authorities.

Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply

The France Au Pair visa requirements can be categorised into those of the applicant and those of the host family. Applicants for the Au Pair visa must:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30
• Be a citizen of at least one country
• Not be related to the French host family
• Sign an authorised contract explaining the details of the agreement
• Have basic knowledge of the French language. Formal certification, such as an A1/A2 score on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) if not always required, but can strengthen the application
• Possess no criminal record or history of immigration violations
• Have evidence of visa or travel expenses (if applicable)

Families hosting an au pair must:

• Have at least one child under the age of 18 living in their household
• Be able to provide sufficient accommodation for the Au Pair
• Be willing to host the au pair for at least three months
• Be willing to give the au pair sufficient time to take a French language course

Required Documentation for the Au Pair Visa Application Process

Applicants for the French Au Pair visa must provide the following documents:

• Valid passport
• Completed visa application form
• Passport-sized photographs
• CV
• Health insurance certificate
• Bank statements or other proof of finance
• Birth certificate
• Police clearance certificate
• Medical certificate
• Host family documents:
• Au Pair agreement (contract)
• Passport or residence permit
• Utility bill, rental agreement, or other proof of the host family’s residence in France

Below is a tabular breakdown of the documents required for the French Au Pair visa application and their purposes:

Apostiling, Legalising, and Translating Relevant Documents

Au Pair visa applicants must apostille or legalise birth certificates and other public documents issued by their home country before they can be used for the application. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the applicant’s home country, or its equivalent, is usually responsible for apostilling or legalising relevant documents.

An apostille applies if the applicant’s country is a party to the Hague Convention, while legalisation applies to countries that are non-Hague parties. 

Additionally, French immigration authorities require applicants to translate documents in other languages into French. They must do so with a sworn translator approved by the French embassy or consulate in their home country.

Submission and Other Requirements

Applicants may not need to submit documents such as police certificates and medical records under certain circumstances. For instance, Police documents may not be required for individuals whose countries have a centralised background check, while applicants from countries with automatically-verifiable health records may not need to provide medical documents Additional documents applicants may need to submit include those demonstrating intent to return to their home country..

How to Apply for the France Au Pair Visa – Step‑by‑Step Visa Process

The France Au Pair visa application involves online and in-person processes. It is essential to understand these processes and their interconnectedness to ensure a successful application. Here is a detailed explanation of the step-by-step process.

1. Find A Host Family

Finding a reputable family is the first step in the French Au Pair visa application process. You can use an au pair agency or online platforms such as AuPair.com, FindAuPair, Aufini, and similar ones. Verify the family’s size and income to ensure they meet the France Au Pair visa requirements. Request the family’s latest tax notice, as Direction régionale de l’économie, de l’emploi, du travail et des solidarités (DREETS) commonly requests it to assess financial capacity.

You should also schedule a video call with the host family for a physical assessment of the available accommodation and discuss their daily schedules in detail to ensure you get a host who meets the visa requirements and with whom you can live comfortably.

2. Draft and Sign a Contract

If all the basic details are accepted, the family should draft the standard Centre d’Enregistrement et de Révision des Formulaires Administratifs (CERFA) form and submit for approval. The approval process can take 2 to 4 weeks, and you can only proceed with the application after contract approval.

3. Complete France Visas Online Form

Visit the France–Visas online portal to access the long stay visa (VLS–TS) application form. You will need to enter your personal, contact, travel, host family, funding, educational, and professional details, among other information.

After completion, print out the hard copy, sign it manually, and include it in your application file. You can use the Visa Wizard on the application portal to determine your eligibility and requirements before applying.

4. Book and Attend a Visa Centre Appointment

After completing the online form, the portal will redirect you to a suitable visa centre in your home country (TLSContact or VFSGlobal) to book the appointment at a convenient date. 

Note your application reference number from France Visas, as you will need it to book an appointment. Visa centres may charge a booking fee, which varies by country. Download and print your appointment confirmation and take it to the centre on the date of your appointment.

The visa centre will accept your documents and forward them to the French consulate for processing. They will also take your biometrics (fingerprint and photo). You will need to pay the €99 France Au Pair visa application fee at the visa centre using a credit or debit card.

You may be able to apply directly to a consulate if no visa centre exists in your country, or the consulate handles the application itself. In such cases, you will submit your application at the consulate and follow a similar process to that at the visa centre. The Visa Wizard can tell you whether you need to book an appointment at a visa centre or consulate.

5. Await Visa Processing

The France Au Pair visa processing typically takes 2-6 weeks, or longer. Factors such as consulate practices and the application period can affect processing times. For example, processing may be longer if there is a high volume of applications at the consulate.

During the wait period, you can track your application via France–Visas or your Copago/VFS portal. If approved, the visa office will notify you via email or SMS to pick up your passport with a vignette. 

If your application is refused, the authorities will send you a letter detailing the reason for their decision. You can appeal to the Commission de recours contre les refus de visa (CRRV) within 30 days of receiving the decision. However, it is only advisable to reapply if you have a strong case or have addressed the reason for refusal. It is advisable to consult an immigration lawyer before deciding whether to pursue an appeal. 

Common Au Pair Visa Application Mistakes and Tips

It is essential to avoid making mistakes in your application as they may lead to rejection. Here are some key mistakes to avoid when applying for your Au Pair visa.

• A contract missing key aspects such as working conditions and pay, poorly defined, or violating legal requirements.
• Poor French-speaking skills
• Choosing the wrong visa type
• Inconsistent or incorrect personal information across documents
• Failure to submit essential documents
• Weak or unclear host family details
• Late application
• Failure to demonstrate sufficient ties to your home country

Review the French Au Pair requirements and ensure you meet them before applying. Choose the right visa type and submit all the requested documents. Ensure you include accurate information in your form, and make the required corrections if there are errors in names across your documents.

Duration, Extensions & Validation

The France Au Pair visa allows the holder to stay in the country for a minimum period of three months and a maximum of one year, extendable by a further 12 months. Au pairs must renew their contract with the existing host family or sign a new contract with another family and have it validated with DREETS (Direction Régionale de l’Économie, de l’Emploi, du Travail et des Solidarités) before being eligible for an extension. 

Both parties must also meet the eligibility requirements and submit the required documents.

The visa holder must present their Digital Validation Certificate to extend the visa. Other documents include a health insurance certificate, a Social Security number, proof of housing, host family identity documents, and evidence of French-language classes, among others.

Visa holders can apply for a renewal by submitting a request at their local prefecture. The application window is 2–3 months before their current visa expires. 

It is important to note that extension specifics vary by prefecture. Some require an online application through ANEF (Administration Numérique pour les Étrangers en France); others require a fully in-person application; and some may have a hybrid approach that combines online and in-person processes. They may also differ in appointment availability, required documents, processing times, and other factors.

The authorities will review the France Au Pair visa application and communicate a decision within 1-3 months. If approved, the applicant will be granted an extension. A refusal means they are legally required to leave France after their current visa expires, or to explore other options to remain in the country. Applicants whose visas expire during the renewal process will receive a legal status to remain in France until the authorities decide on their applications.

Arrival in France — What to Do First

An au pair must validate their visa on the ANEF portal within three months of their arrival in France. Failure to do so will render the au pair illegal and require them to depart the country. In addition, they may face difficulties re-entering the Schengen area. 

Visa holders will need to provide information about their visa, their date of entry into France, their French residential address, and credit card details to pay the relevant fee, usually €50 to €60, to perform the validation.

The host family needs to register the Au Pair as a “stagiaire aide familial étranger” with the URSSAF (Union de recouvrement des cotisations de sécurité sociale et d’Allocations familiales). The registration legalises the au pair’s host and ensures they comply with French immigration laws. It also makes the au pair eligible for social security contributions, grants them access to social protection, and ensures compliance with labour laws.

The French general social security system covers the Au Pair; this includes health care, maternity benefits, a basic pension, and work-related accidents. The supplementary pension fund for employees of private employers also covers them. The host family is responsible for paying the au pair’s social security contributions. The au pair can register with the French healthcare system through the local health authority (CPAM) to obtain a social security number after submitting the URSSAF declaration.

Finding French Classes or Cultural Activities

Holders can enquire of their host family about local French-language or cultural activities they know, since the family has experience living in France. They can check local universities or municipal centres for FLE (Français Langue Étrangère) courses. 

Visa holders can also check for private learning schools or community-based association centres. Advisably, applicants should endeavour to complete 8–10 hours of language courses weekly.

Opening a French Bank Account

Opening a French bank account is essential for an au pair to manage their finances while adhering to the country’s regulations. They would need documents such as proof of identity, proof of residence, and evidence of their French residency status to open a bank account.

The au pair should research the top banks in France. They can enquire from their host family, as they would most likely be managing a French financial account. Some recommendable financial institutions include BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Credit Agricole, and Banque Populaire.

Visa holders would need to visit a bank branch to open an account, and a staff member would guide them through the process. Alternatively, the au pair can open an account with a digital financial institution if they prefer.

Rights & Responsibilities as an Au Pair

Au pairs can make the most of their status by understanding their rights and responsibilities, especially those related to work, housing, contracts, and housing standards.

Work Rights

Au Pairs can work for their host family for up to 25 hours per week. The limit ensures they have time to learn the French language and culture and to participate in other activities. They can perform childcare and light household tasks related to children, but they are not full-time domestic workers.

According to French law, au pairs must have at least one full day off each week as a rest day. They should also have reasonable free time each day. They cannot work for another family or employer without approval from the French authorities.

Monthly Allowance

Au Pairs are entitled to a minimum of €320 per month in pocket money. It is not a salary, and the exact amount may depend on factors such as the family’s financial capacity and the city of residence. Au pairs in a city such as Paris may receive higher allowances as the cost of living is higher than in other cities.

Housing Rights

A host family must provide their au pair with free accommodation and food. The au pair is entitled to a private (unshared) bedroom. It must have a window with natural light and ventilation.

The room must have basic furniture such as a bed, storage, and a desk. It should provide access to bathroom facilities and a common living area. The family must treat the au pair as a temporary family member rather than a worker housed under poor conditions.

What Happens If the Au Pair Contract Ends Early or Issues Arise?

Au pairs should notify the Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration (OFII) if their contract ends prematurely. To continue their stay, they will need to sign a new contract with another family, subject to approval from the authorities. Alternatively, they can explore other options to continue their stay in France. Au pairs will typically need to leave France if they are unable to sign a new contract or get permission to remain in France another way.

If an issue arises between an au pair and their host family, both parties should endeavour to resolve it amicably. Au pairs can seek guidance regarding conflict resolution from the OFII or other local authorities. They can take the case to a local or judicial court if serious issues arise, such as ill treatment or a major breach of contract.

Responsibilities of Au Pairs

Au Pairs must adhere to the requirements of their visa. They should respect the agreed working hours and duties. Au pairs should also participate in language learning or cultural activities and integrate respectfully into family life.

Tips for Host Families

Families must understand and comply with their host responsibilities. They should integrate the au pair into their family life. Families should have children living at home because childcare is a core role of the au pair. Host families should also ensure that their housing meets the requirements.

They should understand the location of key offices, such as the OFII and URSSAF. Host families calculate the correct social security contribution and pay it when due.

The signed contract should favour both parties and clearly define the conditions. This includes the financial terms, accommodation details, working conditions, time off, and termination clause. Families can employ an immigration lawyer to assist with drafting the contract to prevent mistakes and ambiguity.

How iasservices.org.uk Can Help

At IAS, we understand that the French Au Pair visa process can be intricate, as applicants must meet the specific criteria. Our lawyers will evaluate your situation to determine your eligibility for the Au Pair visa. If you do not, we can recommend another suitable option for a short or long-term migration to France.

Our lawyers can assist host families with contract templates and drafting. Our lawyers can assist aspiring au pairs with identifying reliable host families and red flags to avoid, thereby reducing the risk of exploitation, misunderstandings, and premature contract termination.

We can assist with the step-by-step France Au Pair visa application process. We will review your documents to eliminate errors and increase your chances of approval.

Our lawyers provide support for legal compliance and problem resolution. This includes assistance with visa validation and administrative obligations, breach-of-contract matters, changing host families, and assistance if placement ends early. 

For more information on how we can help with your French Au Pair visa application, call us at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or complete our online form, and we will contact you.