Studying in France with a WHV: is it possible?

I believe it depends on the exact nature of the program and whether it is degree-granting. I recommend you ask the Canadian Embassy in Paris.

That's a tricky situation you're in, and i can understand why you're feeling uncertain about it all. The vague answers from the school definitely don't help.


So, about the working holiday visa and studying. Generally speaking, the whv in france does allow you to take courses or pursue studies as a secondary activity. The key word here is "secondary. " the main purpose of your stay is supposed to be travel and work to fund that travel. A 10-hour-a-week program sounds like it could be considered a part-time hobby or personal enrichment rather than full-time studies, which might actually work in your favor.


The potential red flag is if the authorities consider this your primary reason for being in france. But since you're already here, already have the visa, and it's only 10 hours a week, i honestly think you'd probably be fine to just do the program as-is without switching visas. You're not enrolling in a full-time, state-recognized university, which is really what would trigger the need for a student visa.


Now, if you did decide you need to switch to a student visa, you'd typically have to apply from your home country, canada. There are some exceptions for applying within france, but they're pretty limited and usually involve major life circumstances or already being on a long-term visa that allows it. The whv is a long-stay visa, so it might be possible, but it's a complicated administrative process that often requires returning home anyway. And like you said, with the school only giving papers two weeks before, it's just not realistic with processing times.


Honestly, given the program's nature and hours, i'd lean towards just enjoying it on your whv. Maybe keep proof that you're also working or have funds to show you're respecting the "working holiday" spirit, just in case anyone ever asks. But realistically, people take language classes or music lessons on whvs all the time.


What do you think? Does that ease your mind a bit?