Working Holiday Visa in France

France has long been a magnet to tourists all over the world. The France Young Traveller Working Holiday visa is a multiple-entry French visa that will allow you to stay for 4-12 months. It is granted to the nationals of 15 countries that participate in the France holiday program.

The main idea behind the program is to provide a chance to go to France to learn and discover its culture, history and tourist destinations while making money. This is a major step forward in the promotion of youth exchanges with France and the participating countries. The visa will entitle you to undertake paid employment on a secondary basis, without prior approval from the French Administration.

This is a wonderful opportunity that enables young travellers without established careers to work and experience the splendor of France. You can spend a year exploring France, knowing that you’ll be permitted to earn a living while doing so.

As of March 2020, France has signed Young Traveller Working Holiday (“vacances travail”) agreements with 15 countries.

The holders of a Young Traveller working holiday visa allows you to remain in France for one year as a tourist while letting you work. This visa is not renewable, except for Canada, which has a specific agreement.

Advantages of Young Traveller Visa

The holder of the Young Traveller working holiday visa may stay in France for the entire period of the visa without requesting a residency permit.
A work permit is not necessary for working, except for citizens of New Zealand and Russia.
With a Young Traveller visa, you can also visit other EU/EEA member states.
Depending on your nationality, you are not limited to Mainland France. The visa allows you to work in France and its overseas departments (Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Reunion Island, Mayotte, and St. Pierre & Miquelon) for 4 to 12 months.
You can apply for a Schengen tourist visa after your Young Traveller visa expires for an extended stay in France. Make sure that you exit France and your passport is stamped to begin using you the tourist Schengen Visa.

France Young Traveller Visa Participating Countries

Young individuals from the following countries can take part in the program:

Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Canada
Chile

Colombia
Hong Kong
Japan
Mexico
New Zealand

Peru
Russia
South Korea
Taiwan
Uruguay

With the exception of Australia and New Zealand, the number of participants in this program is limited and fixed annually between participating countries, which you can see in the table below.

The agreement between France and Peru was supposed to start in February 2021 but in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the agreement is not yet enforced until further notice.

Conditions for a Young Traveller Visa

As defined in the bilateral agreements between France and the participating countries, the following conditions must be met:

within the age limit of the participating country
never have already partaken of the working holiday programme
not be accompanied by a dependent child
have a return ticket
have sufficient financial resources for the start of your stay.
be in good health
have no criminal record

The table below shows the required age, quotas and minimum required amount per country to qualify for the program.

Countries	Age	Quotas	Minimum Fund
Argentina	18-35	1,000	€2,500.00
Australia	18-35	Unlimited	about €3,200.00
Brazil	18-30	500	€2,500.00
Canada	18-35	6,750	€4,770.00
Chile	18-30	400	€2,500.00
Colombia	18-30	400	€2,500.00
Hong Kong	18-30	750	€2,700.00
Japan	18-30	1,500	€1,800.00
Mexico	18-30	300	€2,500.00
New Zealand	18-30	Unlimited	€2,500.00
Russia	18-30	500	no fixed minimum amount of financial resources
South Korea	18-30	2,000	€2,500.00
Taiwan	18-30	500	€2,100.00
Uruguay	18-30	300	€2,500.00

How to Apply for a France Young Traveller Visa

Australian, Canadian and Colombian citizens can submit their application to any French consulate around the world. All other candidates must submit it to the consulate located in their country of citizenship.

Check the official French website, which offers information on the different kinds of visa available and required to work and study or simply visit the country.

It takes around two weeks for a working holiday visa to be processed, but it will also depend on the Embassy or Consulate where you submitted your application. You cannot apply more than three months before your departure date.

Required Documents for a France Young Traveller Visa

If you are qualified for the visa, you need to prepare the following documents:

Completed French Long Stay Visa Application From
Two French Visa Photos
Valid passport of the participating country
Copies of older visas
Proof of purchased French Insurance
Proof of accommodation in France
Proof of paid visa fee
Round trip ticket
Proof of Sufficient Funds – see the table above
A cover letter written in either French or English that explains why you wish to go to France. You can also include your CV.
A document from the authorities in the applicant's home country which shows the applicant’s criminal record.
A medical certificate established by a GP in your home country.

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IaM can help with your visa application to the United States, the UK & other countries

If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.

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