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If you are in France on a Working Holiday Visa (or arriving soon), finding a job is likely top of mind for you. Even before concrete steps such as submitting applications and preparing for interviews, it is important to understand the work authorization and rights that you have.
This guide addresses France WHV holders of all nationalities and explains what your employment rights and responsibilities are as a WHV holder.
Activation, validation, or registration of your WHV
Upon arrival on French soil, you automatically have the full rights of a WHV holder. There is no need to validate or activate your visa, nor report to any sort of administrative bureau.
As Campus France explains,
“Le détenteur du visa vacances-travail est dispensé de formalités à son arrivée en France. Il peut séjourner en France pendant toute la durée de son visa sans demander de carte de séjour. Une autorisation de travail n’est pas non plus nécessaire pour exercer un emploi, sauf pour les ressortissants russes.”
In short, you are exempted from all administrative formalities.
Your work authorization
As of April 1 of 2021, the autorisation provisoire de travail (APT, translated as a temporary work permit) no longer exists. The Working Holiday Visa in your passport fully serves as your sole form of employment authorization. There is no additional card, permit, or number to apply for.
While France’s WHV accords may mention that the primary motive of participants should be for travel not work, your WHV does not technically impose any restrictions. As an open work permit, it grants you the right to work for any employer in any domain, or even to be a freelancer. There is also no limit on the number of hours that you can work.
Similarly, there are no rules against signing a permanent contract (CDI contrat à durée indéterminée) either, as long as you and your employer respect the expiration date of your visa.
[Canadians only] Year 2 of your working holiday
Canadians have the option of staying a second year in France as a working holiday maker. In How to extend your Working Holiday in France with an APS, I explain how you can apply for this extension either from Canada or in France. Regardless of which option you choose, in year 2 you still have the same work authorization in France.
(18) Comments
Thank you for the clarification! I’ve arrived on WHV and have recently gotten a CDI. My employer is asking for CPAM. Can you please help me understand:
1. What is CPAM & how do I apply for it?
2. As Canadian citizen on WHV, how do I get Carte Vitale?
3. Is Carte Vitale the only thing I need to show proof of residency?
4. Where do I go to do all this? 😅
Thank you!
Hi Alireza. CPAM is the service that issues social security numbers and processes applications to public health care. WHV holders do not require a social security number to start working legally. If you’re in year 2 with an APS, you MIGHT be able to apply for one and then apply for a carte vitale. However, none of this is requirement to work in France. Your employer probably is just not familiar with the WHV. See chapter 2 for more details.
Thank you for the quick reply!!
Without CPAM, how would I be able to take advantage of the insurance my employer is paying for? They’ve sent me an Allianz contract to sign, would I be able to use this?
Or do I have to get my own travel insurance which wouldn’t be ideal.
1) As a working holiday maker, you already were required to purchase private health insurance as a part of your application. So normally you already have one.
2) The thing that employers offer is a supplementary insurance called “la mutuelle”. This is meant to cover the 30% not covered by public french health insurance (which covers up to 70%). Since you don’t have access to public french health insurance, you wouldn’t be able to make use of the mutuelle anyway. Employers are obligated to offer it, but you’re not obligated to take it.
Hi Jackson!
In one of the comments you mentioned that there are no restrictions in hours or industries for the France WHV. What about contract types? CDD, CDI? If I’m not mistaken we are limited to CDD only, but I may be wrong. Just want to make sure.
Thank you!
There are no rules against a CDI. You just have to stop working when your work authorization ends (ie resign). Or switch to a difference visa type at that time.
Perfect, thank you!
Hi, thank you for the article. For WHV holders, what is the max hours I can work per week and are there any restrictions on the type of jobs or industries I can work in? Thank you!
Hi there. There are no restrictions in hours or industries for the France WHV 🙂
Hi there. Thanks for the helpful article. Just a question on the social security–I understand that WHV holders do not need a social security number in the first year. Does this mean that the employee and employer do NOT make any social security contributions? If so, wouldn’t that mean the net income is much higher because it will only be subject to income tax? And does the same also apply to the second year (extension) of the WHV? Thanks for clarifying 🙂
No, we make social security contributions regardless of whether we are eligible for social security benefits, in both years. The employer withholds it from gross pay.
Thank you, good to know! So we make the regular social security contributions both years of the WHV, but can only begin accessing social security benefits in year 2 (assuming we manage to extend the WHV for a second year)? Thanks again for the helpful info!
That is correct
Hi pvtistes,
I’m hoping to clarify the most updated information regarding the need to apply for APT.
I’m Australian and obtained the France WHV last month. I will be arriving in January 2022. I saw above that for Australians who obtained WHV after March 1, 2016 do not need to apply for an APT in order to obtain work. Is this correct?
Having said that, I understand I will still need to obtain a ‘numéro de securité sociale’, correct?
Merci d’avance!
Adrian
I too am in this exact situation and unable to confirm whether or not I need to validate my French working holiday visa? And if not, I still need to get the social security number yes? Sorry I can’t seem to read the replies to this comment which I suspect would answer my questions!
anyone get an answer on this?
would be good if I could see the replies as to know what people said? Cause I have a job, and now am unclear about what to do as I’m being asked for a “titre de sejour” and an “attestation de validation par l’OFII”. Unsure what to do
Hello!
1) WHV holders do not need an APT. The visa itself serves as work authorization AND titre de séjour
2) As outlined in chapters 2 and 4, WHV holders do NOT need a social security number in order to exercise employment (although your employer has the option of requesting one on your behalf through the DPAE). Some employers may not be familiar with the WHV, and so may need to be informed on your rights.
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