Au Pair
France
Last updated: December 24, 2025
2 years (renewable)
$108-$213
2-3 months
Medium
About this Visa
The French au pair visa lets young adults from outside the EU live with a French family and care for their children while learning French. You stay with the family in their home, do light housework and childcare, and attend French classes. The family provides your room, food, and pocket money in exchange for your help. This is not a regular work visa. You're classified as a trainee, learning French and French culture while helping the family. The visa requires both you and the family to sign a legal contract before you apply.
Key Benefits
- Work legally - you can care for the family's children (up to 25 hours per week)
- Live with a family - free room and all meals included
- Learn French - required to attend French classes; many are free or covered by the family
- Health insurance included - the family pays for your health coverage
- Travel around Europe - you can visit other countries while on this visa
- Path to permanent residence - time on this visa counts toward getting permanent French residency
- No work restrictions - you're not limited to one employer like on a work visa
Eligibility & Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
- Age 18-30 years old (some consulates stricter; verify locally)
- From outside the EU (mandatory; EU citizens use a different program)
- Unmarried (marriage disqualifies you)
- With no children of your own
- Have a high school diploma (or completed secondary school to age 17)
- Speak basic French (A1/A2 level - very beginner is okay)
- Have a clean criminal record (no convictions)
- Healthy (no active infectious diseases)
- Not related to the family (must be unrelated strangers)
- Host family must have at least one child (3-18 years old)
- Host family must provide private room (at least 9m² with window)
- Host family must speak French daily
- Host family must have sufficient income to pay €320+ per month
- Host family commitment to host for at least 3 months
Financial Requirement
You must receive a minimum of €320 per month (about $375) as pocket money from the family. This is law, not optional. The family must prove they can afford this payment. You don't need savings, but you must be able to pay for your own travel to France.
Documents
- Valid passportMust be valid for at least 15 months
- Visa application formCompleted online
- 2 ID photosRecent, passport-style
- Police certificateFrom every country where you've lived (last 5 years)
- Medical insurance proofMinimum €40,000 coverage with maternity
- French language proofDELF A1/A2 test, university letter, or tutor letter
- Motivation letter in FrenchExplain why you chose this family
- Flight bookingTravel confirmation
- Proof of current addressAny recent address document
- Family contract (CERFA 15736-02)Signed government form (family provides)
- Family ID copiesPhotocopies of parents' ID (family provides)
- Family address proofRecent address document (family provides)
- Family tax returnProof they can pay you (family provides)
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Please verify all information with official government sources and consult a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions.