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VFS Global centres
When you get to the last page of your application on France-Visas, you will be asked to declare that you have made a VFS appointment before being able to continue further.
VFS Global is a private third-party service provider for governments worldwide. The company manages visa and passport issuance-related administrative tasks—for instance, it collects Working Holiday Visa applications and biometric data on behalf of the French government. However, applications are still transferred to the French consulate for processing.
You will drop off your application, provide biometric data and collect your passport after the decision is made at your designated VFS Global centre. Since biometric data collection is a requirement, you have to go in person to one of their centres in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, or Ottawa.
Booking an appointment
Go to the VFS Global website and click on “2: If you have ALREADY FILLED the France-Visas application form”.
Make an account if you don’t already have one (VFS is separate from France-Visas). Then, sign in and start a new booking.
Important information
- The appointment fee is ~$45.
- You should select the same centre that you indicated on your application form (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, or Ottawa).
- For the visa category, select Long stay (D). For the subcategory, select Long stay – Working Holiday Visa. If that option is not shown, then select Long stay (D) – other category.
- It is not possible to book an appointment for more than one month later.
- You have the option of purchasing additional services offered by VFS, but those are completely option.
After payment, a confirmation message will appear. You will also receive a confirmation email. Print out both confirmations and bring them with you to your appointment.
Finalizing your France-Visas application
Don’t forget to finalize your application on France-Visas after booking your appointment with VFS Global!
Check the box to confirm that you did make an appointment with a VFS Global centre and that a date has been scheduled. Click “Submit to the visa center”. Congratulations, you’re all done with your online application!
The day of your appointment
During your appointment, VFS associates will take your biometrics (photo and fingerprints) and check that your application file is complete. Make sure to bring:
- Your completed application form, all pages (see image below)
- The receipt of visa application (see image below)
- The VFS appointment confirmation
- All other documents listed in chapter 2 (original and photocopy)
What should I do if no VFS appointments are available?
Since demand for appointments is high and supply is low, there is a good chance that there will be no availability at the moment you try to book an appointment.
Don’t panic, patience is key. According to our experience and stories from past applications, VFS centres release appointments at the middle and end of every month. This means that on the 14-15th and 30-31th of every month, you should pay close attention to the website for new availabilities.
Here are a couple of additional tried and true tips from past working holiday makers:
- If the appointment subcategory for WHV is full, try the “Other” subcategory. According to past participants, this does not pose any problem.
- If you are very desperate, consider paying for the VFS optional service. The price is exorbitant, but past participants have confirmed that it at least works.
You could also try to contact the VFS customer service, but it is unlikely that they can do anything for you.
(57) Comments
Hi Jackson,
I’m in a bit of a situation – I’ve been working in Paris on a WHV and it’s expiring in 2 months. I’d like to either renew or apply for a Talent Passport but I’m unable to do so online since I don’t have a foreign number.
The local Prefecture has also been unhelpful they’re confused. Do you know if I can apply for a status change from France or if I need to go back to Canada? I’m trying to avoid going back by all means.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Alireza. It’s true that WHVers do not have a foreigner number. APS holders do, however, get one. I don’t know much about the Talent Passport, but if you want a foreigner number and thereby gain access to the ANEF portal, you can apply for an APS. The steps are explained in https://pvtistes.net/en/extend-working-holiday-france/
Hi Jackson! When renewing my WHV do I need the criminal record check and medical certification? My appointment is in Vancouver this week and I cannot remember if I had those in my application the first time. Kind regards!
Hey it wasn’t required the first time, so it shouldn’t be the second time. Good luck 🙂
Hello would it be possible to apply for 24 months long stay visa upfront on arrival to France? also do you offer one on one consultancy on whv in France, i need tips on settling in , opening bank accounts etc
Hi Tosin.
1) You can only get a WHV for 12 months. But Canadians can extend their stay for another 12 months at the end.
2) See chapter 7 for tips on settling, housing, bank account, phone number etc
3) If you still have questions, you can sign up for one of our free online Q&A workshops https://pvtistes.net/en/bonsplans/workshops/
Hi Jackson! Thanks for your website, it is very helpful! From your personal experience or from what you are noticing currently, do you happen to have a delay estimation from the time the application is sent to the consulate by vfs to when vfs advises that the passeport and visa are ready for pick up? My flight is in a couple of days and I am stressing really hard because I have no clue what I will Do if I do not receive it on time (either delay or cancel my trip). I applied for à long term visa because I will be in France for 11 months. I Wonder if there is any way to aplply for the visa from Europe within the 90 day time limit. Do you happen to know ? Thank you so much. You are my last hope at obtaining some sort of useful info now..
Hello Li, you’re very welcome. I have applied for two different France visas through VFS and in both cases, my passport was mailed back to me within 7-8 days of my appointment. It’s hard to say if that is standard for most people or not. And generally it is not possible to apply for a France visa as a visitor on French soil (certainly not the first WHV). What type of visa are you applying for?
Thank you so much for your Quick response, that gives me some hope 🙂 i am applying for a long term visa (tourist). And actually I was wonderijg whether it was also possible to do it abroad (for exemple in the French Embassy in England which is outside the Schengen zone). Thank you so much Jackson 🙂
I am not sure about that, it is best to confirm with the embassy directly. My understanding is that in general, you should be at least a resident of the country in which you are submitting an application (if not your country of citizenship). Though there could be exceptions.
I’m not sure if this is applicable to you, but Canadians who have gotten a WHV to France can apply for a 12 month extension via the APS. And this can fully be done on French soil. https://pvtistes.net/en/extend-working-holiday-france/
Thanks again for all tha precious info :)!!
Hi Jackson,
I hope you’re well! I am about to finalize a renting lease agreement and the landlord is asking for “Assurance Habitation” (home insurance). This would amount to a monthly fee that I’d get from a company of my choice. However, I already have the ACS insurance purchased as part of my Working Holiday Visa application, and from what I see in the certificate, there is also a “Civil Liability” section which includes damage to property. Doesn’t this count as the Assurance Habitation?
Thank you as always for your help!
All the best,
Niloo
Congrats on finding housing! These are separate protections. I am certainly not a lawyer, but civil liability protects you from legal recourse when you cause injury or damages to another individual. Housing insurance is to protect yourself as resident and the landlord, from potential damages. For example if your apartment gets robbed and you lose valuables, that would not be a claim to bring to your medical insurer nor your landlord. Rather it would be the housing insurance. Hope that helps
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