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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,
âLe dĂŠtenteur du visa vacances-travail est dispensĂŠ de formalitĂŠs Ă son arrivĂŠe en France. Il peut sĂŠjourner en France pendant toute la durĂŠe de son visa sans demander de carte de sĂŠjour. Une autorisation de travail nâest pas non plus nĂŠcessaire pour exercer un emploi, sauf pour les ressortissants russes.â
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 Franceâs 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 Ă durĂŠe indĂŠterminĂŠe) 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.
(22) Comments
thanks so much for this article! you mention that we can also freelance–for example, a consultancy contract. Would this mean we have to register as an auto-entrepreneur? Are we eligible to register as an auto-entrepreneur with a PVT? Thank you đ
Hi melosm. Yes you can check out this other guide https://pvtistes.net/en/dossiers/france-freelancer-guide/
Thank you, sorry I completely missed this!
Jackson, I just want to say bless your soul! Thank you for this website and all the knowledge it has! So so helpful. Thank you!!
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? đ
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 âla mutuelleâ. This is meant to cover the 30% not covered by public french health insurance (which covers up to 70%). Since you donât have access to public french health insurance, you wouldnât be able to make use of the mutuelle anyway. Employers are obligated to offer it, but youâre 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 đ
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