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4Tips to navigate French bureaucracy
Keep the following in mind when interacting with administration:
- Prioritize use of official terms in French for forms and permits. Using unofficial English translations can cause confusion.
- It’s very likely that most French government employees won’t be familiar with the Working Holiday Visa status. Different employees may tell you different things. Know your rights and duties and be politely persistent!
- Try to contact the organization first and confirm required documents, how to apply and processing times.
- For each new process or application, create a file (digital or physical) and document everything. Create a document management system that works for you and keep your files.
- Make sure you have all the required documents before submitting an application. A missing document can delay your application and that would be a waste of time!
- Make sure all copies of original documents are complete and legible. Don’t forget to make a copy of the back of the document, if applicable.
- When interacting with French authorities, it’s best to prioritize communication via email. Emails are easy to keep and refer to if needed.
- You can bring more documents than required but only provide them if asked.
Finally, don’t take anything personally. Administrative mazes are not easy for anyone to navigate, even for French people themselves!
(9) Comments
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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