How to get a Working Holiday Visa to France (for all nationalities)

Visa applications are never fun, but if you know what steps to anticipate, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

In this chapter, we will walk through where to fill out the application form and how to submit everything.

Start your application on France-Visas

• 1. Go to France Diplomacy
• 2. Click on the “Visa Wizard”
• 3. Fill in your information. Note that:
  – Visa type is LONG STAY (>90 days)
  – Travel document is ORDINARY PASSPORT (unless you have a special passport type)
  – Your plans is OTHER
  – Main purpose of stay is WORKING HOLIDAY
• 4. Click SUBMIT ONLINE APPLICATION
• 5. Click CREATE AN ACCOUNT

Complete the rest of your application on France-Visas

You will need to fill out all your information section by section. We walk through every section of the application in detail in chapter 4 of our guide Applying for a Working Holiday Visa to France (for Canadians). Ignore the few references specific to Canadian applicants.

By the end of your application, the France-Visas portal will have also listed out all the documents you will need to bring to your appointment. It is critical that you bring every document listed by France-Visas.

Book an appointment

The appointment process differs by country. In some, France partners with a private third party called VFS Global to run appointments and collect biometrics. In other countries, this is done directly at the French consulate or embassy. Here are the application centres for a few countries:

• Argentina: Consulate General of France in Buenos Aires
• Australia: VFS Global
• Brazil: French embassy or consulates
• Canada: VFS Global
• Chile: Embassy of France in Chile
• Colombia: Embassy of France in Colombia
• Other countries

In any case, simply follow the appointment instructions provided by France-Visas at the end of your online application. As as the France Diplomacy website states:

Once you have completed your online application, all you have to do is submit it to your local visa centre. France-Visas will provide you with all necessary information on how and where to submit your application.

As every visa centre and consulate operates independently, we are not able to provide guidance on appointment release schedules or availability.

Attend the appointment

At the appointment, a few things will happen. You will submit your application form and supporting documents. An agent will likely collect your biometric information on the spot (photos and fingerprints). You will leave your passport at the centre or consulate as well. Processing times vary between countries. If your application is approved, the visa will take the form of a sticker inside your passport. Depending on the centre or consulate, you will either pick up your passport in person or receive it in the mail.

Once your WHV is approved, make sure to read the Departure preparation for your working holiday (the full guide).