Important tips for Canadians applying for a France Working Holiday Visa

A working holiday in France can be a magical experience, but first you’ll need to apply for a the Working Holiday Visa. Visa applications are never fun, but if you know what to expect then it certainly doesn’t have to be stressful.

I successfully obtained my France WHV, and in this article I’ll be sharing my top tips for how to ensure a smooth application process.

1. Don’t worry about the annual quota

France sets an annual quota of 7,000 for Canadian applicants, but don’t worry about it too much because this quota has never come close to being reached. In 2022, for example, fewer than 700 Canadians came to France on a WHV.

2. You can apply even if you’re already 35

The France WHV is available to Canadians between the ages of 18 and 35 inclusive. This means that you can apply up until the day before your 36th birthday, and it’s okay if by the time you enter France you’ve already turned 36 years old.

3. Plan ahead for VFS Global

Once you finish the online portion of your application, you’ll be prompted to make an appointment on VFS Global’s website (they receive applications on behalf of the French consulates). Slots are few and demand is high, so don’t expect to be able to find an appointment right away. It might be a few days or even weeks before you see an opening, so make sure you start early and leave yourself plenty of time.

4. Québec only: contact RAMQ early

If you are a resident of Québec, you must provide a RAMQ attestation as a part of your WHV application. Every 7 years, residents of Québec are permitted to be absent from the province for up to one year without losing RAMQ coverage. If a resident leaves Québec for more than 183 days without informing RAMQ, then (s)he loses coverage.

RAMQ response times can be long and sometimes they are unreachable, so start this early. If you don’t receive your attestation in time for your appointment, you should be able to send it to VFS Global by email afterward.

5. Health certificate and background check are not required

You’ll see in the application portal that the language around the health certificate and the background check is quite vague: “If the bilateral agreement provides for this.” The France-Canada youth mobility agreement does not “provide for this”.

In normal language, that means these two documents are not required of Canadians. If you want, you can verify this by reading the official texts between France and Canada; there is no mention of health certificates or background checks. Their omission is evidence of absence of provision. The reason these items appear on the application checklist is simply because France uses the same form for applicants of many other nationalities whose agreements with France do “provide for this”.

6. Don’t overthink or overshare in your motivation letter

You can write in either English or French. Explain honestly why you want to go on a working holiday in France and explicitly commit to respecting the visa’s expiration date. Avoid providing reasons that would imply your primary motive is to work or settle down permanently in France. Remember that the WHV is intended for cultural and linguistic discovery, not employment or immigration.

7. Check the exchange rate

The minimum savings requirement is 2500 euros. Check the current exchange rate against CAD to know how much exactly you need to have in Canadian dollars.

8. Make a photocopy of everything

The WHV online application form tells you to bring the original and copy of all relevant documents. If you fail to bring a photocopy of something, VFS Global can do it for you during the appointment, but they will charge you a fee for doing so. No reason to pay extra if you can just handle it yourself at home!

9. VFS Global can make corrections during the appointment

If on the way to your appointment you realize that you made a mistake in your printed application form, don’t worry, the agent at VFS Global can make corrections live during the appointment. This includes changing the intended date of entry into France, for example.

10. Consult other resources on pvtistes.net.

We have TONS of free content on the France WHV. Browse the full library and leave a comment on any of the articles and guides. If you don’t find what you need, you are also welcome to sign up for our next free virtual group workshop, in which we’ll answer your questions live.