Temporary residence card - Au pair

Verified 31 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Additional cases ?

For a European

If you are temporarily accommodated in a family in France in exchange for minor housework and childcare, you can apply for the temporary residence card au pair. You must meet certain conditions and sign an agreement with your host family. We present you with the information you need to know.

You must be a non-European foreigner and meet all of the following conditions:

  • You are between 18 and 30 years old
  • You are temporarily accommodated in a family of a different nationality with which you have no family ties, with the aim of improving your language skills and knowledge of France in exchange for small housework and childcare
  • You've made a deal with this family
  • You have a basic knowledge of the French language or have a secondary education level or professional qualifications.

Warning  

you must have a long-stay visa.

You must enter into an agreement with your host family setting out the rights and obligations of the two parties.

A cerfa form must be completed:

Agreement between the au pair and the host family

The Convention shall specify in particular the following points: 

  • Amount of your pocket money (minimum €320)
  • Activities and tasks performed for the family and their duration (maximum 25 hours per week)
  • Your housing conditions (minimum living area of the room of 9 m2 with at least one window) and food
  • Your weekly rest (at least 1 day of rest per week).

It must be concluded before your departure to France, as it is necessary to obtain your visa.

The initial duration of the agreement may not exceed 1 year.

In the event of an extension of the stay beyond 1 year, a new agreement for a maximum period of 1 year may be concluded (thus allowing a stay of a maximum total period of 2 years in France).

You must submit your card application to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your residence within 2 months before the end date of your long-stay visa as a residence permit. Find out more on the website of the prefecture.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on your prefecture's website.

Documents to be provided

  • Long-stay visa
  • Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
    or consular attestation with photo
    or photo ID
    or consular card with photo
    or certificate of nationality under 6 months with photo
  • Proof of payment of stamp duty (to be delivered at the time of delivery of the security)
  • Host agreement completed and signed by the 2 parties
  • Any document attesting either to a basic knowledge of the French language, or to a complete course of secondary education or to some form of professional qualification
  • A copy of an identity document for each of the foster parents.

If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt awaiting the response of the prefecture.

Cost

You need to pay €50 by tax stamps upon your arrival, the validation of the long-stay visa serving as a residence permit, then €75 when a residence permit is issued.

Proof of payment of stamp duty and tax is required when the card is handed over.

The prefecture has 90 days from the filing of the complete application to take a decision on the issuance of this card.

If the prefecture has not replied after 90 days, this is an implicit refusal.

Your card is given to you by the prefecture or sub-prefecture of your residence (depending on the place where your application is filed).

The residence card au pair is valid Maximum 1 year.

If you wish to continue your stay beyond 1 year as an au pair in France, you must conclude a new agreement for a maximum period of 1 year.

Card Request

The application for renewal of the residence card is made within 2 months before its end at the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your residence.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on your prefecture's website.

Documents to be provided

  • Residence card
  • Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
    or consular attestation with photo
    or photo ID
    or consular card with photo
    or certificate of nationality under 6 months with photo
  • Proof of payment of stamp duty (to be delivered at the time of delivery of the security)
  • Host Agreement (form) cerfa no. 15973) completed and signed by the 2 parties
  • Any document attesting either to a basic knowledge of the French language, or to a complete course of secondary education or to some form of professional qualification
  • Copy of an identity document for each of the foster parents

If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt awaiting the response of the prefecture.

Cost

You need to pay €50 by tax stamps upon your arrival, the validation of the long-stay visa serving as a residence permit, then €75 when a residence permit is issued.

Proof of payment of stamp duty and tax is required when the card is handed over.

Card Delivery

Your card is given to you by the prefecture or sub-prefecture of your residence (depending on the place where your application is filed).

Period of validity

The residence card au pair is valid Maximum 1 year.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service

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      For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.

      Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.

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