Navigating French Language Proof for Au Pair Visa Extensions: Is the DELF Exam Necessary?

14/11/2024

Question that inspired this post(posted on 13/11/2024):

My au pair would like to extend her stay in France for another year, which is permitted under French au pair laws. However, she’s been asked to provide proof of her French language level. Does she need to take the DELF exam, considering it requires both time and money or is there an alternative document that the prefecture would accept? We’ve already submitted a letter from her tutor confirming she is learning French. I’d like to understand the specific legal requirements for extending her residency as an au pair.

Top Answer

I worked as an au pair and provided an A1 certificate from a local school, which was accepted. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a DELF certificate; any proof that she is learning the language, such as a certificate or enrollment in a language course, should suffice. However, whether a letter from a tutor is accepted may vary by prefecture, as some don’t accept it.

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AI generated - formalitee.ai

To extend an au pair's stay in France for another year, providing evidence of French language proficiency is indeed a requirement. Here are the key points regarding the language requirement for extending an au pair visa:

1. The au pair must prove that their proficiency in French is at least at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)(1)

2. There are several ways to demonstrate this language proficiency:

   • Obtain a language certification from a recognized certifying body. The two tests currently recognized by the Ministry of the Interior are:

     • French language proficiency test (TCF) issued by France éducation international

     • French Evaluation Test (TEF) issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris(2)

   • Have a degree at least equal to level 3 of the national professional qualifications framework (e.g., CAP, BEP, CFG)(2)

     . However, diplomas issued by foreign authorities are not accepted.

3. A letter from a tutor stating that the au pair is learning French may not be sufficient for the prefecture. They typically require official certification or documentation(2)

4. While the DELF exam is a recognized way to prove French proficiency, it's not the only option. The TCF or TEF tests mentioned above are also valid and may be less time-consuming or expensive(2)

5. The language certifications must have been issued less than 2 years ago by an accredited examination center(2)

6. If your au pair has any disabilities or chronic health issues that may prevent them from taking a language test, they can request accommodations or potentially be exempted from the language requirement. This would require a medical certificate(2)

Given these requirements, your au pair will likely need to take an official language test like the TCF or TEF to extend her stay, unless she has a qualifying French diploma. The letter from the tutor, while helpful, is unlikely to be sufficient on its own for the prefecture.

It's recommended to check with the local prefecture for the most up-to-date and specific requirements, as they may have additional guidelines or accepted forms of proof.