Criteria and steps for obtaining your France WHV (for Canadians)
The France-Canada Youth Mobility Agreement is an opportunity for Canadians between 18 and 35 years old to travel to France for up to 36 months to improve their understanding of French language, culture, and society through an experience focused on tourism, academic study, internships, or employment.
Every year, about 1,000 Canadians head to France with a Working Holiday Visa in their passport. This step-by-step guide will walk you through your application.
You can also consult the official page by the government of Canada for up-to-date news and the latest requirements.
To learn more about your next steps upon your arrival in France, also read Landing in France with a WHV – a guide to your first steps.
How many visas are issued each year?
Canada issues a maximum of 14,000 youth mobility visas to French citizens every year, and France reserves approximately 7,000 spots for Canadians.
As far as we know, the annual quota in France has never been reached by Canadian applicants. We have never seen a denial due to a reached quota, so it should not be an issue to submit an application even late in the calendar year.
How much does it cost to apply for a WHV?
French consulates do not charge a fee to process Working Holiday Visa applications. However, VFS Global, an official third-party partner to the French government, does charge a processing fee (around CA$45) that must be paid when you book the application appointment.
You may also have to budget for transportation to the nearest VFS Global centre if there are none in your vicinity.
Eligibility requirements
Here is an overview of the general eligibility requirements for the visa categories.
Age
You must be between the ages of 18 and 35 as of the application date (i.e., you can apply until the day before your 36th birthday).
Citizenship
You must hold a Canadian passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the last day of your stay in France (we recommend 6 months to allow for greater flexibility).
First, second or third participation
It is possible to participate a second time in the Young Professional Development and the Working Holiday Program visa categories. For the Inter-University Exchange and Practical Internship categories, it is even possible to apply for a third year. However, the total duration of your stay in France across these categories cannot exceed 36 months.
Previous participation in similar mobility programs of other countries have no impact on your French visa application.
Dependents
The France-Canada Youth Mobility Agreement does not include a specific provision for dependents accompanying a visa holder obtained under this program. If you have dependents who wish to travel with you, they can either apply for a visa under the same agreement, or apply for another long-stay or short-stay tourist visa.
For visa application guidelines and requirements, check out the Visa Wizard on France-Visas.
Minimum funds required and return ticket
You must provide proof of financial resources for the amount equivalent to €2,500 euros (about CA$3,500) and have a return ticket or show additional funds (€1,000) to prove you will be able to buy your ticket back to Canada.
Insurance
You must provide proof of medical insurance covering health care needs (including hospitalization and repatriation) for the duration of your stay in France. We have also heard from previous participants that it is recommended for your medical insurance to have a zero deductible.
The French Embassy in Canada also recommends buying personal liability insurance.
When should I apply?
Applications are accepted no earlier than three months before your planned departure date.
Application steps
You must submit your application in person at a VFS Global centre. It will then be forwarded to a French consulate for processing.
Here are the steps of a Working Holiday Visa application:
Step 1: Create an account on France-Visas.gouv.fr, the official website for visa applications to France.
Step 2: Fill out the first part of your visa application online.
Step 3: Book an appointment at a VFS centre.
Step 4: Complete the second and final part of your visa application online once the appointment is booked.
Step 5: (For Quebec residents only) Obtain your attestation de séjour de la RAMQ.
Step 6: Drop off your application at your VFS appointment and authorize collection of biometric data.
Step 7: Await approval, your passport will be mailed back with the visa inside.
Links to important pages from French authorities
- France-visas website (official site to start your application)
- Young traveller (working holiday) (introduction to the program)
Last update in February 2024
(44) Comments
Does anyone know if you require you need to purchase health insurance for a year during the application phase? Seems odd to purchase health insurance without knowing if you’ll get the visa. Also, I was told that you could apply up until the day you turn 36 (does that mean that this date is from the time you submit the application?)
Hi, I have the same question. Just wondering if you ever sorted it out?
Yes, it is required as a part of your application package. In the unlikely event that your visa is denied, in most cases you can contact the insurance provider with proof of denial to be reimbursed.
Hi, does anyone know if I need to have a certificate proving I know French from a university class or something ? I’ve been learning French on online apps and I think I’m pretty good but I don’t have any proof that I’ve learned it in school or know up to a certain amount. Will this hinder my visa application ?
You don’t need to know any French for the WHV.
Graham is correct, there are no language requirements.
This is the most frustrating paperwork process. I have spent almost my entire 1 yr of working holiday visa UNEMPLOYED because there’s no CLEAR instructions how to obtain a social security number. I’ve gone to temp agencies(one of them a not so nice person almost laughed in my face 😒 telling me it’s IMPOSSIBLE to be hired without the numéro security sociale) and many places while job hunting and they all REQUIRED a social security # even though I explained and showed documents of my visa AND my external insurance. I also filled out the form and applied for it at CEPA (waited 3+ months) only to be told I am not entitled to one because it’s a VISA VACANCE TRAVAIL. so, this has been many setbacks and tears, don’t get me started with renewing process 😪
As is explained in chapter 4 of this the following dossier, it is true that some employers may be reluctant to hire someone without a NSS if they have never done so before. WHV holders have work authorization in France. It may take some patience and explanation, if the employer is willing to listen. https://pvtistes.net/en/dossiers/key-documents-procedures-whv-holders-starting-a-job-france/4/
Hello! Does anyone know if it’s possible to renew the working holiday visa in Canada, aka return to Canada and do a renewal through VFS Global? I’m having trouble finding information about this and it’s impossible to book an appointment at the prefecture right now.
Any info would be very helpful, thanks 🙂
Hi Alison, I was wondering if you got an update about this as I am in the same situation. I was on a working holiday then came back a few years later in Vancouver. I’ve been trying to find information about renewal as well and there’s none. I’ve contacted the consulate and they gave me a solid no but the VFS agent in Vancouver said I can renew it over again as long as I’m qualified..
Yes, it is possible to renew from Canada and VFS Global. You would simply follow the same steps as your first application.
Hi Jackson,
Would it be possible to renew at VFS global centres in Canada even after the primary WHV expires? It’s because my current WHV expires in two months but I don’t hear rendez vous date from my prefecture and was told that it may take up to 3-4 months to have RDV. Thank you.
Hi Ghaya. Yes that should be no problem. You can make an appointment at VFS for a second year, even if you first visa is expired.
However note that currently, renewal is only available to citizens of Canada. See this article on how Canadians can renew via APS https://pvtistes.net/en/extend-working-holiday-france/
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