Where Can You Live and Work in France During Your Working Holiday Adventure?

Every year, thousands of travellers apply for a Working Holiday visa to France to discover this beautiful country! But as you probably know, there’s “mainland France” in Europe and “overseas France,” 13 French-administered territories in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and even in South America.

So, are you allowed you settle in Tahiti? French Guyana? Corsica? Paris?

It all depends on your citizenship!

If you’re from Argentina, South Korea or Japan

You can only live and work in French “départments” in Europe, i.e. mainland France (including Corsica).

If you’re from New Zealand, Brazil, Hong Kong, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador or Peru

You can live and work in all the French “départments”—mainland France (including Corsica), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Reunion, Mayotte and Martinique.

Overseas collectivities (“collectivités d’outre-mer”) are excluded, i.e. Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Wallis and Futuna, Mayotte, Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélémy.

If you’re from Australia

You can live and work in the entire territory of the French Republic—mainland France (including Corsica), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Reunion, Martinique, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Wallis and Futuna, Mayotte, Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélémy.

If you’re from Canada

You can only work and live in French “départments” plus Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, i.e. mainland France (including Corsica), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, Mayotte, Martinique and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

Welcome to pvtistes.net!

We have plenty of articles about France to help you plan and enjoy your Working Holiday. Start with Landing in France with a WHV — a guide to your first steps!

We’re glad to have you here. Don’t hesitate to share questions and insights on the forum! Other members will be happy to provide information about their region or city.

Travelling in Europe

Check with the embassies of the countries you want to visit during your Working Holiday in France to find out whether you need to apply for a visa.