What is a France Au Pair Visa and How to Get It
Atomic Answer: What Is A France Au Pair Visa And How To Get It is a critical component of the Canadian immigration framework. As of 2026, applicants navigating this pathway must adhere to the latest IRCC guidelines, ensure all documentation is properly prepared, and meet the specific eligibility requirements. Processing times and exact costs will vary based on individual circumstances.
What is a France Au Pair Visa and How to Get It
The France au pair visa is a special type of visa that people between the ages of 18 and 30 must obtain in order to temporarily settle with a family in France to study French. The France au pair visa is a long-term D type visa, which allows the visa holder to stay in France for up to 1 year.
What are the Au Pair France Visa Application Requirements?
Au pair France visa requirements are given below.
- The applicant must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
- The applicant must stay with a host family in France temporarily to learn French.
- The applicant must have an au pair placement contract that specifies the working conditions, payments and French language course schedule. The contract should include details of living expenses, accommodation and insurance arrangements.
- The applicant must prove that he/she has basic knowledge of the French language, has secondary school education or has professional qualifications.
Do I Need Health Insurance to Be an Au Pair in France?
There is no health insurance requirement when obtaining a France au pair visa, but the host family in France must apply and register for French health insurance on behalf of the person who will be staying with them with the au pair visa.
The social insurance number is often issued later than expected, and in such a case, if the person coming to France with an au pair visa does not have any other additional insurance, all of the person's health expenses are covered by the host family. The host family is responsible for paying the social insurance premiums (Sécurité sociale) and the applicant's private insurance costs; however, the family and the applicant may choose to share the costs.
Is it necessary to take a French course to become an Au Pair in France?
It is mandatory for a person who wants to be an au pair in France to attend a French course. Since French law states that the purpose of staying in France as an au pair is to improve the person's knowledge of French culture and language, even if the person already has a good knowledge of French, attending a French course is required in order for the au pair contract to be approved.
How to Apply for a France Au Pair Visa?
The France au pair visa must be applied for through the intermediary institution or accredited agencies that France has assigned for visa applications in Turkey. The applicant must first make an au pair agreement with a family in France. After the agreement is made, the visa application must be made.
For the France au pair visa application, firstly the online application form must be filled out at https://france-visas.gouv.fr and then an online application appointment must be made with the intermediary institution VFS Global. During the appointment, the necessary documents must be submitted, fingerprints must be recorded and the visa fee must be paid. After the evaluations, the passport is returned to the visa center and the applicant is informed by e-mail and SMS. During the application evaluation process, France au pair visa tracking transactions can also be done online through VFS Global.
What are the Required Documents for a France Au Pair Visa?
The documents required for a France au pair visa are given below.
- Passport: Passport must be not older than 10 years and must have at least 2 blank pages and must be valid for at least 1 year after the visa expiration date.
- Application form for a France au pair visa: Must be filled out online by the applicant with complete and accurate information.
- Biometric photo: Three photographs that meet biometric specifications, taken at most 6 months ago, and measuring 35 mm wide and 45 mm high are required.
- Employment contract: An au pair contract must be signed and submitted stating that the applicant has reached an agreement with the family with whom he/she will be staying.
- Language proficiency certificate: A document showing that the applicant's basic knowledge of French is sufficient to apply for a visa is required.
How to Fill Out the France Au Pair Visa Application Form?
The France au pair visa application form is filled out online at https://france-visas.gouv.fr. By clicking on the “Do you need a visa?” heading on the relevant website, fields such as the applicant’s country of citizenship, age, passport issuing country and passport type are selected from the “Visa Wizard” page that opens.
Then, choose a long-term visa from the "Visa type" section and proceed to the next step by clicking the "Search" button at the bottom of the page. Select the "Other" option at the bottom of the page and the "Au pair" option on the second line.
On the page that opens, you can fill out the application form by clicking the "Submit online application" button. In order to fill out the France au pair visa application form online, it is mandatory to create an account on the website.
How to Prepare an Au Pair Agreement for France?
The France au pair contract is a standard contract; the contract, which can be accessed at https://france-visas.gouv.fr, must be filled out by the applicant and the employer family and submitted with other visa documents during the application.
The France au pair contract consists of general conditions, duties of the host, duties of the au pair and various provisions. Information about the education status, residence address and nationality of the au pair and host must be filled in the contract.
The first page of the France au pair contract is in the image below.
How Much Is the France Au Pair Visa Fee?
The France au pair visa fee is set at €99. The France au pair visa fee must be paid in full, in euros and in cash, to the intermediary institution, the visa application center VFS Global, during the biometrics appointment.
How Long Does a France Au Pair Visa Last?
The France au pair visa is issued for a period of 1 year. The au pair can extend their stay for a maximum of two years.
What Are the Working Conditions Like as an Au Pair in France?
In France, within the scope of au pair working conditions, the worker helps the host family with simple housework and childcare; it is recommended that the worker and the family discuss the working conditions in advance and, if possible, detail them in the au pair contract.
If the au pair visa holder is not an EU citizen, they are allowed to work a maximum of 25 hours per week and the working hours must be arranged in line with their French language program; for EU citizens, this is 30 hours. Individuals must take one full day off per week; usually two weeks off for every 6 months.
Landlords with employer status are responsible for paying the applicant's insurance premiums; in addition, non-EU visa holders must be paid a monthly allowance of at least 320 euros. Au pair visa holders must attend a language course and pay for the course themselves; the employer family is responsible for ensuring that the person is enrolled in the course and that their attendance at the lessons is not hindered by working hours.
What are the Other Visa Types Similar to the France Au Pair Visa?
Visa types similar to the France au pair visa are given below.
France language school visa
France Erasmus internship visa
France Work and Travel
France internship visa