Terms and Conditions

Welcome to Alliance Française d’Arabie Saoudite (AFAS). To ensure a smooth experience and understand our operational policies, please
read these Terms & Conditions carefully prior to registering for a course, taking an examination, or becoming a member.

I. INSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE, CODE OF CONDUCT & FACILITIES POLICY
Governance, Facilities and Safety
  • Institutional Status: As the official French language and cultural center operating under the supervision of the French Embassy in Saudi Arabia, AFAS promotes a respectful learning environment. Mutual respect toward staff, instructors, and visitors is strictly enforced.
  • Building Access Hours: Operating hours may vary by branch. Please check with your local branch for exact schedules.
  • Classroom Access: Classroom access is permitted shortly before class begins. Rooms must be vacated immediately upon class completion, and entry is strictly restricted to registered students.
  • Facilities & Liability for Damages: Cleanliness and proper care of common areas (classrooms, restrooms, corridors, library) are mandatory. Any damage or degradation to AFAS property will be billed directly to the individual responsible.
  • Personal Belongings: AFAS assumes no liability for the loss, theft, or damage of personal belongings inside or outside the premises.
  • Smoking Policy: Smoking is strictly prohibited inside all AFAS premises.
  • Safety & Insurance: Personal health, accident, and third-party liability insurance are the sole responsibility of the client.
  • Parental Responsibility & Minor Safety: Minors (under 18 years old) remain under the legal responsibility of their parents/guardians at all times. Parents must arrive promptly for drop-off and pick-up. Minors must await pick-up inside AFAS premises, though AFAS bears no custodial liability. Parents/caregivers are not permitted inside classrooms. AFAS reserves the right to deny course entry in cases of repeated tardiness in pick-up or drop-off. If a minor is to be dropped off or collected by an adult other than their parent or legal guardian, the parent or legal guardian must provide prior written authorization by email, stating the adult’s full name and Iqama number and attaching a copy of the adult’s Iqama.
II. REGISTRATION PROCESS
Registration, Payments and Placement Tests
  • Registration: Enrollment must be finalized exclusively through AFAS online platform within the designated registration period and is processed on a "first fully registered, first served" basis for all applicants. A seat is secured only upon full settlement of tuition fees using an authorized payment method; no provisional reservations are permitted.
  • Payments & Payments methods: AFAS organizes and sells full course packages at a group price. Hours are not sold separately, thus full course payment is requested even in case of non-attendance of some hours. Payments must be made in full before the course starts via the official AFAS online portal or by credit/debit card on-site, at once upon registration. The textbooks must be purchased at the time of the registration. AFAS operates a strict cashless policy; cash payments are not accepted.
  • Instalments & Discounts: Installments are not allowed. Discount and promotional periods are communicated through official AFAS channels. No discounts shall be granted outside these specified dates.
  • Late Registration: Joining a course after the initial class has taken place remains subject to seat availability and the exclusive authorization of the AFAS branch Director. A learner may join a course after missing its first class only if registration is completed before the second class begins, subject to seat availability and the prior approval of the AFAS branch Director. No registration will be accepted once the second class has begun. The full course fee remains payable; no reduction will be made for the missed class. Discounts for consecutive enrollment and promotional rates do not apply to late registrations.
  • Placement Test: To ensure appropriate course placement, a mandatory assessment is required for all new registrants, applicants with prior French studies, students referred by an instructor, and returning students whose last enrollment exceeds three (3) months. Level placement is determined exclusively by the assigned examiner and remains valid for a period of three (3) months. Registration completed after this 3-month validity period will not be accepted, requiring a new assessment to verify current proficiency. Placement tests serve strictly internal administrative purposes; they carry no external validity, and no certificate or formal statement of level will be provided.
  • Fees: AFAS courses fees increase regularly without prior notice. Payment of full course fees, book fees and yearly registration fees to AFAS are mandatory (12-month validity). Textbooks are mandatory for group courses and are valid for several sessions, cannot be passed down to another student (including family), must be purchased at AFAS only, and are given on the first day of the course upon presentation of the student’s receipt of payment.
III. COURSES SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS, CANCELLATIONS & POSTPONEMENTS
Enrollment Thresholds and Course Feasibility
  • Enrollment Thresholds & Group Capacity: Language courses require a minimum of six (6) enrolled students to open (minimum eight (8) students for level A1.1). Maximum group size ranges from 10 to 16 students, depending on course type, level, and individual classroom capacity. Course opening remains subject to room availability and final quorum. If this threshold is not met by the end of the registration period, AFAS reserves the right to:
  • Postpone the course start date by up to seven (7) days.
  • Reassign students to another on-site or online course of equivalent level.
  • Convert the course to a semi-private format under adjusted fee structures.
  • Issue a full tuition credit to the student’s account, valid for six (6) months from the date of issue.
  • Course Feasibility & Continuity: AFAS makes every effort to open and maintain all scheduled courses; however, course activation remains strictly subject to reaching the minimum enrollment required for pedagogical and operational viability. While AFAS strives to preserve the original class structure, it cannot guarantee that a confirmed or rescheduled course will retain the same timetable, instructor, branch location, or delivery format (on-site or online). Such adjustments do not constitute a breach of contract nor entitle the student to a refund.
Student-Initiated Course Postponements
  • Requests must be emailed to the AFAS Branch Director and are subject to the following terms:
  • Before Registration Closure: 100% tuition credit (valid for 6 months).
  • Between Registration Closure and Day 1: 90% tuition credit (10% administrative fee retained; valid for 6 months).
  • On or After Day 1: 70% tuition credit (30% administrative fee retained; valid for 6 months).
  • Compelling Personal Circumstances: In documented cases of major medical incapacity or immediate family bereavement, students may request a pro-rated tuition credit (valid for 6 months). Official documentation must be submitted to the Branch Director, who retains sole approval discretion. No postponement will be granted where the circumstances do not qualify or where sufficient supporting documentation has not been provided. If approved, a pro-rated credit will be valid for a period of 6 months.
AFAS-Initiated Course Postponements
  • Up to 7 Days: AFAS reserves the right to delay a course start date by up to seven (7) days to meet the enrollment quorum without triggering credits or refunds.
  • Beyond 7 Days: Courses delayed past seven (7) days are deemed canceled by AFAS. Students may choose a 100% tuition credit (valid for 6 months) or a full refund (see Refunds Policies section).
  • Disruptions & Force Majeure: AFAS is not liable for disruptions, postponements, or online transitions caused by force majeure (government orders, health/security emergencies, extreme weather, or venue closures). In such cases, AFAS reserves the right to shift instruction online or reschedule sessions (via extended hours or makeup dates). No monetary refunds will be issued; students will receive a non-transferable 6-month tuition credit. Scheduled holidays are included in the academic calendar. Unscheduled holiday closures will be compensated by adding makeup sessions prior to the end of the session or by extending the course schedule.
Validity of Credits
  • Validity of credits: Any credit issued by AFAS is strictly personal, non-transferable, and non-refundable. Credits must be redeemed for an eligible course starting within six (6) months from their issue date. Upon expiration of the 6-month validity period, any unused balance will automatically lapse and cannot be extended, refunded, or carried forward.
Refund Policies
  • Refunds Policies: No refund policy, even in the event of the cancellation of a class. Yearly registration fees are non-refundable; online payment fees through AFAS extranet platform fees are non-refundable and at the cost of the student; course fee are non-refundable, except when AFAS cancels a course (see AFAS-Initiated Course Postponements section); book fees are non-refundable, except when AFAS cancels a course. In that case, textbooks may be refunded only if returned unused and in pristine condition. Students wishing to receive a refund must submit a written request to their AFAS branch Director within fourteen (14) calendar days of AFAS’s cancellation notice. If no request is received within that period, the eligible amount will be credited on their student account (validity 6 months). Any credit not used during this period will expire and be treated as a donation to AFAS.
Ineligible Circumstances
  • Ineligible Circumstances for Refunds or Postponements: No refunds, credits, or postponements will be granted for non-attendance or course withdrawal resulting from personal or professional changes. Ineligible reasons include, but are not limited to: scheduling conflicts, business or personal travel, holidays, financial difficulties, personal convenience, relocation, or visa modifications (including final exit visas).
IV. LANGUAGE GROUP COURSES & PEDAGOGY
Academic Standards and Student Commitment
  • Academic Standards & Course Content: AFAS is the only one authorized to determine the content of French lessons, as well as the required number of hours for each session. AFAS contents and number of hours per session are set in accordance with the guidelines of CEFRL (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) with emphasis on a communicative and action-oriented approach to language teaching and learning.
  • Commitment & expectations: Students are considered active partners in their training. To meet course objectives, students must communicate in French as much as possible during sessions and fulfill all personal study requirements assigned by the instructor. AFAS strongly recommends that all students make every effort to speak French within AFAS’ premises and participate in AFAS cultural events. Success in learning a language is linked to punctuality and regular attendance, commitment, and personal additional work.
Teaching Methodology & Academic Faculty
  • Immersive Language Approach: To optimize language acquisition, instruction is conducted predominantly in French across all levels, including A1 Beginners. Instructors utilize alternative communication strategies (visual aids, gestures, contextualization); English or Arabic is strictly reserved for absolute communication breakdowns. Students are expected to refrain from translating or speaking English/Arabic during class.
  • Pedagogical Structure: Language skills (grammar, conjugation, vocabulary, and spelling) are taught through integrated communicative modules rather than isolated drill sessions. Focused grammar or writing workshops are available as separate supplementary offerings.
  • Teacher Rotation Policy: To provide a well-rounded educational experience and expose learners to diverse teaching styles, AFAS systematically rotates its teaching staff. Instructors do not automatically follow the same cohort across consecutive modules. Instructor assignments are determined solely by academic management and are not subject to dispute or request.
Attendance, Absences & Continuous Assessment Terms
  • Attendance, Punctuality & Absence Management: Students are required to attend all scheduled classes punctually, bringing their textbooks and necessary study materials. To avoid disrupting instruction, students arriving more than ten (10) minutes late may be denied entry by the instructor. Absences must be notified to the instructor in advance. AFAS does not provide make-up classes, pro-rated discounts, account credits, or refunds for missed sessions. Instructors are under no obligation to repeat missed lessons during regular class hours.
  • Remedial Instruction: In cases of reasonable absence, teachers may recommend scheduling private catch-up lessons at the student's expense to cover missed course material.
  • Exam Eligibility & Course Advancement: Accumulating more than three (3) absences in a session may forfeit the student’s right to sit the final examination.
  • Continuous Assessment: Ongoing evaluations conducted throughout the term count directly toward the final grade. Failure to complete mandatory assessed coursework may prevent progression to the next module.
  • Final Assessment & Progression Policy: Student progression to subsequent course modules is subject to successful completion of the end-of-session evaluation, scored out of a total of 100 points across four communicative competencies: Listening (25 points), Reading (25 points), Writing (25 points), and Speaking (25 points). Achieving an overall mark of 60/100 or higher is mandatory to pass. Additionally, a minimum benchmark of 10/25 in each distinct skill is recommended; students falling below this threshold in any component may be advised to undergo remedial private instruction or skill-specific workshops prior to advancing. Sit-in eligibility for the final exam requires regular course attendance; AFAS explicitly reserves the right to bar students with an absence rate exceeding 30% from taking the final evaluation.
  • Orientation: Depending on the results, AFAS reserves the right to direct and advise the student for the most suitable level. Only AFAS teachers and the management are qualified to determine whether a student has mastered all the skills required at a given level of language skill acquisition and its capacity to move to the following level.
V. LANGUAGE PRIVATE CLASSES
Registration Procedure and Financial Terms
  • Enrollment requires full acceptance of these terms and conditions alongside a completed pre-registration form. Full settlement of tuition fees must be executed at the AFAS reception desk upon registration using credit card or bank transfer. Bank transfers lacking an explicit reference or Personal Validation Number (PVN) cannot be retrospectively attributed to a student file and will be classified as an irrevocable donation to AFAS. Installment payments are not accepted.
  • Annual administrative registration fees and learning materials (textbooks) represent distinct costs and are charged separately.
  • Tuition fees are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable to group courses. Exceptions are limited to verified medical conditions or overseas work/study relocations, validated by official institutional certificates.
Package Duration, Validity, and Scheduling
  • Faculty assignments remain at the sole discretion and availability of AFAS. Enrollment approval is strictly reserved by AFAS management, whose decisions are final and non-appealable.
  • Private course packages carry mandatory validity timeframes to maintain instructor allocation: 10-hour packages expire after one (1) month; 20-hour allocations expire after two (2) months; and 30-hour packages expire after three (3) months from issuance.
  • Timetables are arranged around the student’s stated availability. Upon official written email confirmation from AFAS, the designated days and class times become permanently binding and non-alterable.
Postponement and Cancellation Policy
  • Completion Timelines: Instructor availability is not guaranteed when sessions are delayed beyond the agreed timeline. The full hour allocation must be fulfilled within two (2) weeks of the original completion date. Rescheduling is the sole responsibility of the student, subject to instructor availability.
  • Discounted Registrations: Classes purchased under promotional or discounted rates must strictly adhere to the initial schedule without exception or validity extension.
  • Minimum Notice Period: Cancellations or postponement requests must be submitted to the teacher at least three (3) hours prior to the scheduled session. Failure to provide a 3-hour notice will result in the session being forfeited and deducted from the remaining balance.
  • Late Arrivals: In the event of student tardiness, class duration extension remains at the sole discretion and availability of the instructor.
VI. EXAMS
Registration, Identification and Accommodation
  • ID & Documentation: Registrants must upload a valid, official photo ID during online registration. The original physical document must match the uploaded copy. Submitting incomplete, invalid, or digital copies (photocopies, screenshots) automatically voids enrollment.
  • Non-Refundable Fees: Examination fees are strictly non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-deferrable. Exceptions are made solely for documented medical emergencies supported by an official medical certificate once approved by CCIP or FEI.
  • Contact Information: Registrations must feature a direct, personal email address belonging exclusively to the candidate (or parent/guardian for minors). Third-party email addresses (e.g., external language centers) are strictly prohibited to guarantee receipt of official convocations.
  • Special Accommodations: Any request for specific test accommodations must be submitted in writing prior to finalizing registration.
Exam Day Access & Arrival
  • Reporting Time: Candidates must report to the examination center sixty (60) minutes prior to the start time specified on their convocation.
  • Travel Responsibility: Candidates are solely responsible for planning their journey and anticipating delays (traffic, weather, security access, or parking). AFAS accepts no liability for access issues or late arrivals.
  • Strict Admission Policy: Candidates who fail to present the required original physical ID or who arrive after the examination has started will be denied entry, with no refund or rescheduling permitted.
Test Room Rules & Authorized Materials
  • Identification: Candidates must present the original, physical ID submitted during registration to enter the testing room.
  • Authorized Items: Only blue or black pens and the printed convocation are permitted inside the examination room.
  • Prohibited Devices: All electronic and connected devices—including mobile phones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds—are strictly prohibited inside the testing area.
Fraud, Misconduct & Penalties
  • Prohibited Actions: Any actual or attempted fraud, identity theft, fake ID submission, use of unauthorized materials, test disruption, bribery, or intimidation of AFAS staff and examiners is strictly forbidden.
  • Disciplinary & Legal Action: Violations will result in immediate exclusion from the test, cancellation of results, and potential prosecution by competent authorities.
  • Global Exam Bans: AFAS will report misconduct to the governing bodies in France (FEI/CCI), which enforce global examination bans ranging from temporary restrictions to a permanent 10-year ban.
Grading & Certification
  • Evaluation Authority: Examinations are graded exclusively by the issuing governing bodies in France. AFAS operates solely as an authorized test center; local staff and examiners have no influence over scores, nor liability for the final results issued by French authorities.
DELF Official Examinations Policy
  • Fixed Schedule: DELF examinations are official international qualifications governed by strict national timetables; test dates and times are non-negotiable and cannot be modified under any circumstances.
  • Non-Refundability & Strict Restrictions: Registrations are final. Cancellations, postponements, or refunds will not be granted for non-attendance or invalid registrations (such as incorrect ID details or age bracket eligibility).
  • Compelling Circumstances Exception: Exceptions to this rule (refund or postponement) are granted exclusively in documented cases of compelling personal circumstances, subject to formal review and approval by AFAS management.
  • Exam Convocation: Candidates receive an official notification via email confirming their specific exam session timings.
  • Identification Requirements and Age Eligibility: Registrants are solely responsible for ensuring they hold valid, government-issued identification extending beyond the examination date. Recognized documents are limited to a valid Passport, Saudi Iqama, or GCC National ID, showing a clear photo identification. Failure to present compliant identification, or enrolling with an expired or incorrect document, forfeits the candidate's right to take the exam without entitlement to a refund or date change.
  • Strict Age Enforcement: candidates must strictly adhere to the designated age categories: DELF Prim (ages 7–11), DELF Junior (ages 12–17), and DELF-DALF Tout Public (ages 18+). Submitting a registration under an incorrect age category invalidates the enrollment without refund or transfer.
  • Grading & Results Delivery: Exam pass/fail results are published on the AFAS website in compliance with official FEI guidelines and delivery schedules. Score reports and diplomas are provided to candidates through their AFAS branch as per FEI timeline and regulations.
e-TEF (CCI Paris) & e-TCF (France Éducation International) Terms
  • Computer-based examination (e-TEF & e-TCF): These examinations are computer-based. Candidates must possess basic computer skills (using a mouse, typing, adjusting audio volume). AFAS assumes no responsibility for test performance affected by lack of computer familiarity.
  • Paper-Based Examination (TCF): Candidates must follow all invigilator guidelines and record their answers correctly on the official optical answer sheet using the designated stationery. AFAS accepts no liability for test results affected by candidate error in filling out the answer sheet.
  • Validity & Certification: For both paper-based and computer-based examinations, scores provide an official benchmark of French proficiency as of the test date and remain valid for two (2) years.
  • Mandatory Identification: Registration requires a valid Passport, Saudi Iqama, or GCC National ID. Presenting an expired ID, an invalid document, or failing to present the original physical ID on the exam day automatically voids the registration without entitlement to a refund or date change. A photograph of each candidate will be taken by the test centre on the examination day. This is a mandatory part of the TCF identity-verification procedure, and the photograph will appear on the candidate’s results certificate. Candidates must comply with this requirement to sit the test.
  • Cancellation & Rescheduling: Registrations are strictly final and non-refundable. Candidates must verify their schedules prior to booking. Postponements or refunds are strictly prohibited, except in documented cases of compelling personal circumstances or under exceptional operational events (e.g., severe weather, security incidents).
  • Retake Restrictions: Candidates must observe the mandatory waiting period between test sessions in accordance with current FEI and CCIP regulations; this duration may vary depending on the specific examination and governing body policies. Please kindly refer to the current procedures to know exactly the mandatory waiting period. Any registration submitted prior to the expiration of the mandatory waiting period following a previous attempt will be automatically rejected by the CCIP or FEI portals and will not be refunded.
  • Grading & Results Delivery: Examinations are evaluated exclusively by FEI/CCIP. Official results and digital certificates are issued directly to candidates by the respective governing bodies upon completion of evaluation. AFAS operates solely as an exam center; local staff and examiners have no influence over scores and bear no liability for results.
  • AFAS reserves the right to amend the above terms and conditions at any time.