This information was accurate at the end of 2009 and kindly given to us by a south african Au pair.  If you feel the information is incomplete please go to the contact page and email us the details so we can update the website, Thanks!



Steps to follow:

1) Find a family.

Whether you go through an agency or use a website, it is very important that you find a good family to stay with. Changing families once you arrive is traumatic and expensive - you have to reapply for your work permit, which can often take months to sort out, so it is much better to choose a family who you know you will be happy with the first time round.

 

2) Negotiate the contract

Your family will have to ask the authorities in France for a copy of the official au pair contract and fill it in. This contract will cover the basics, like the hours you work, your accommodation and your salary, but it does not mention many other important issues.

Some things that you might want to ask your family to write into the contract are:

• How much vacation you will have, and whether it will be paid or unpaid
• Whether you will work in the school holidays, and how you will be paid if you do (NB if you work more than 30hrs a week, you have to be paid extra)
• Whether you will be required to do extra babysitting, and how much you will be paid for this
• Whether the family will contribute to your language course
• Whether the family will contribute to your transport costs
• Whether you will have free access to internet or a telephone to keep in contact with friends and family at home
• Whether you will be expected to buy your own mobile phone and sim card
• Whether your family will contribute to your travel expenses to and from France

 

3) Sign and send the contract

Your family will send you the signed contract (about four or five copies), which you should sign and post back to them as quickly as possible. Normal postage can take a month or more, so it’s generally best to send all the documents by express post.


4) Phone the French consulate in SA

Go to the website of the French consulate to find out which consulate will handle your visa application, and phone them between 2 and 4pm. They will fax you the application forms as well as a list of the documents you will need. As far as I can remember, they are as follows:

• Long stay visa form, filled out twice
• Contract with the necessary signatures and approvals
• Language school registration form
• Proof of Matric pass (if you are in Matric you will need to ask your school for a letter explaining that you are still studying)
• ID photos
• Return flight ticket
• Visa fee, in CASH (About R1100, but find out the exact amount because they don’t give change)

 

5) Find a language school

You need to register with a French language school for 10 hours a week in order to obtain your visa. This can often be done on the internet. Your language school will generally ask for a deposit on your fees before sending you your registration certificate.

 
6) Register the contract

The family in France will send the signed contract to the French Department of Employment, where it will be approved and stamped. They will then post you one of the approved copies, which you will use to apply for your visa.


7) Book your air ticket

You will need to present proof of your RETURN FLIGHT in order to get your visa, so make sure you don’t book a one way trip!

 
8) Apply for your visa

Get all your documents together and book an appointment (R100 appointment fee) using the consulate’s website. Make sure you are on time for the appointment and have extra copies of everything. The visa should be issued within 10 days, but allow for up to a month of waiting just in case.

 

Time frame: In order to accommodate all the necessary procedures, you need to start looking for a family about four months in advance.

The biggest delays in this process are often caused by the contract – make sure your family understands all the necessary procedures regarding the Dept of Employment and the contract.