Au Pair in France: visa information

You can apply for an Au Pair visa in France if: 
 
  • you are between 18 and 30 years old
  • you have the nationality of a country outside the European Union
  • you are going to be hosted temporarily by a family in France, with whom you have no family ties, in order to improve your language skills
 

The Au Pair visa to France

Young women and men from 18 to 30, who are interested in the French language and culture, can apply for the visa. To get the visa the participant needs:

1
Passport
To get the visa, Au Pairs need a valid passport and a copy to present at the appointment in the embassy.
 
2
Authorized contract
The participant should sign the contract with the Host Family. Both parties need to check if it clearly explains important points such as pocket money, working hours, insurance and free time. The contract must be approved by the DREETS (Regional directorates for the economy, employment, labor and solidarity).
 
3
Visa application form
The participant has to complete the application form provided by the French embassy. Important: Please note that the French government differentiates between European and non-European Au Pairs. On the official website you can find this statement with the different requirements for both cases: "The stagiaire aide familial étranger is a young European foreigner who has come to France to study. The jeune au pair is non-European." European candidates do not need a visa to enter France.
 
4
Clear criminal record
In some cases, the Au Pair will need to present a clear criminal record during the appointment at the embassy. The participant can request this document at the local police.
 
5
High School certificate
To become an Au Pair in France, candidates need to present their high school diploma or equivalent.
 
6
Health insurance
Participants from Non European Union countries must have a private health insurance valid in France. Make the proper arrangements with the family, who normally covers these costs. 
 
7
Motivation letter
With this letter, the participant should answer the question: “Why do you want to learn French?”, and explain why it is so important to her/him. 
 
8
Language course
The Au Pair will need to provide a confirmation of enrollment in a French language course for at least three months.
 
AuPair.com recommends to contact the embassy or the consulate and discuss all the details with the authorities before the application.

Further information

  • There are two different types of Au Pair program in France: the Stagiaire aide familial étranger and the Salarié Au Pair. When we refer to the Au Pair program, we consider the Au Pair as Stagiaire aide familial étranger.
  • The Host Family must register their Au Pair at the foreign office in order to get the residence permit as quickly as possible. They will also have to register the participant with the Social Security. 
  • Since the visa is not a work permit, the participant is not allowed to work outside the family. 
  • In some cases the participant will need to prove that she/he can cover the visa and travel expenses.
  • After the appointment, the Au Pair might need to wait a couple of weeks for the visa to be approved. 
Important ! The French government has recently modified the regulations related to the taxes to be paid by French Host Families hiring Au Pairs of the Stagiaire aide-familial étranger type. 

These are the obligations of the Host Family
 

  • Le stagiaire aide familial étranger must be affiliated to the general Social Security scheme (sickness, maternity, industrial accidents, basic pension). They are also covered by the complementary pension fund for employees of private employers (Ircem).
  • Only the host family is liable for contributions. Contributions are calculated on a flat-rate basis: Either 13 times the minimum hourly wage (in force on the 1st day of the calendar quarter in question) per week (€146.51), or 56 times the minimum hourly wage per month (€631.12).
Our main source of information is the official website of the Ursaff and the Service Publique website, we invite you to visit these pages for more information.



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