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Visa · VLS-TS "jeune au pair" · France

France au pair visa: the long-stay VLS-TS "jeune au pair"

Direct answer

To come to France as an au pair from outside the EU/EEA, you need a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS) of type "jeune au pair", applied for online on France Visas with your signed Cerfa hosting agreement ready. Family members from the EU/EEA (the "stagiaire aide familial étranger" status, 17–30) generally need no visa.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-29 · Sources: France Visas, Service-Public.fr (F13348).

Who needs an au pair visa for France?

The rule depends on your nationality (EU/EEA vs non-EU/EEA). France recognises two distinct au pair statuses, each with its own age rules and pocket-money level — this split is the key to understanding the scheme.

EU/EEA nationals

Stagiaire aide familial étranger

No visa. The stay is based on the signed Cerfa hosting agreement alone. Eligible age: 17–30. Free movement within the EU/EEA.

Non-EU/EEA nationals

Jeune au pair

A long-stay VLS-TS "jeune au pair" visa is mandatory, requested before entering the country. Eligible age: 18–30. A signed Cerfa agreement is a precondition of the application.

The process

Applying for the VLS-TS "jeune au pair" step by step

Applications run online through France Visas, the official platform of the French Ministry of the Interior. The consulate or visa centre covering your country then reviews the file.

  1. 1

    Sign the hosting agreement (Cerfa)

    It must be signed before you apply: the consulate checks the project matches the au pair scheme.

  2. 2

    Prepare your file before applying

    Identity documents, the signed agreement, insurance and anything required by your reference consulate.

  3. 3

    Create an account and fill in the France Visas form

    Select the au pair / long-stay option offered for your country of application.

  4. 4

    Book an appointment and submit

    Attend the accredited consulate/visa centre, provide biometric data and pay the visa fee.

Plan ahead: processing times vary by consulate. AuPair Connect recommends applying one to two months before your planned arrival.

Learning French before you fly: if you live in San Diego County, our partner Alliance Française de San Diego runs 12-week adult classes on campus or live online, from complete beginner to C2.

Learning French once you are there: in Nice, our partner Alliance Française Nice Côte d’Azur runs an Au Pair Formula · Oral Workshop, 4 hours a week on Tuesday and Thursday 13:30–15:30, with an 8-week deposit for your visa file.

Key facts to remember

Visa status

Required outside EU/EEA

Non-European national — any non-European nationality is eligible for the “jeune au pair” (young au pair) route, with no country restriction (notably Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, the United States and the United Kingdom): apply for a long-stay visa marked “jeune au pair” from the French consular authorities in your country of residence (official France Visas portal), at the earliest 3 months before departure (timeline given by Service-Public F13348, to be confirmed with France Visas), attaching the hosting agreement (Cerfa no. 15973) signed by both parties. This VLS-TS exempts the au pair from applying for the “jeune au pair” residence permit on arrival; it must be validated within 3 months of arrival. To extend the stay beyond that, the residence permit is applied for in the 2 months preceding the end of the visa (Service-Public F15813). Fees (rates as of 01/05/2026, subject to change, source Service-Public F15813): €100 on validation of the VLS-TS on arrival; €150 on first issue of a residence permit (extension); €100 on renewal. Eligibility does not guarantee that the visa will be granted: the decision rests with the French consular authorities. European national: no visa formality, “stagiaire aide familial étranger” route under a hosting agreement (Cerfa no. 15973). Source: Service-Public.fr F13348 (verified on 01/06/2026) and F15813 (verified on 01/05/2026). References cited by F15813: CESEDA art. L426-22 and Arrêté du 4 mars 2019.

Type

VLS-TS (visa long séjour valant titre de séjour) mention « jeune au pair » pour les ressortissants non européens — aucun visa ni titre de séjour pour les ressortissants européens (libre circulation).

Long stay (VLS-TS). Apply on France Visas.

Age (outside EU/EEA)

18–30 years

EU/EEA status: 17–30.

Precondition

Signed Cerfa agreement

After arrival the host family declares you to Urssaf within 8 days.

Content prepared by the AuPair Connect Compliance Team

This legal, tax and safety content about the France au pair visa is prepared by the AuPair Connect Compliance Team. It is dated and verified (2026-09-29) and must not replace France Visas or consular advice.

Continue your journey

Version FR : Visa au pair France Fiche Urssaf & cotisations (FR)

Official sources

To compare the four destinations and print the document list, see the 2026 au pair visa roadmap.