How Canadians Can Apply For The France Working Holiday Visa

Why Move to France From Canada

Have you ever dreamed of strolling the Seine, visiting the Eiffel Tower, or learning to bake the perfect croissant? There’s a reason France is one of the most popular destinations on earth. On a France Working Holiday, you will have the opportunity to live and in some of the world’s most spectacular cities, think: Paris to Bordeaux, Lyon to Toulouse. Experience lyrical landscapes in the French countryside, decamp in the French Riviera… a France Working Holiday Visa will allow you to experience them all. Not forgetting a few other, wonderful reasons to move to France:

Learn French in France

French is one of the most beautiful languages in the world, and you’ll get to grasp the lingo through local words of wisdom, such as ‘La vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin’ (life is too short to drink bad wine). As Canada’s second language, mastering your French skills will also open many doors for your future career.

Embrace France’s Foodie Culture

France is home to some of the most delicious cuisine in the world, and no French immersion is truly complete without embracing French culinary customs. Swap Safeway for farmers’ markets bursting with fresh produce; breakfast on warm croissants from the boulangerie (bakery), tuck into steak-frites in a cozy bistro, sip wine in Bordeaux… the list goes on.

Move to France… Travel Europe

There is a never-ending roster of incredible travel experiences to be had in France. But, if you do feel like straying away, you will also have the rest of Europe at your doorstep. Cue many casual weekends away in Barcelona, Lisbon, Berlin, London… the list goes on.

How to Move to France From Canada

To move to France from Canada, you will need to secure a work permit, called the France Working Holiday Visa. This visa stems from the Youth Mobility Agreement between Canada and France which allows up to 14,000 Canadians to live and work in France each year. In this program, there are four visas available to Canadian citizens:

1. Young professionals who want to gain experience in their field or improve their knowledge of the French language, culture and society through a limited work contract
2. Registered post-secondary students who want to complete part of their university studies in a postsecondary institution in France as part of an inter-university agreement.
3. Young Canadians who want to do an internship as part of their studies or their training.
4. Young Canadians who want to travel to France and work temporarily to help fund their trip.

Canadians wanting to do a working holiday in France will need to apply for the last visa category, called the Working Holiday Program.

Why The France Working Holiday Visa is So Great

The France Working Holiday Visa allows you to stay in France for up to two years on a working holiday, with the option of staying an additional year if using the young professional or practical internship program. That’s a lot of time to master your Frenchness.

This visa also allows you to venture beyond mainland France to other French departments across the world. Specifically, the visa is valid in:

• Metropolitan France
• Guadeloupe
• Guiana
• Martinique
• Reunion Island
• Mayotte
• Saint-Pierre et Miquelon

The icing on the cake? The France Working Holiday Visa has few work restrictions. Consequently, there are endless opportunities for getting a job in France as a Canadian.

Jobs in France for Canadians

There are few restrictions on the type of work you can do with a France Working Holiday Visa. Like finding a job in Canada, your own experience and skills, as well as your French language skills will make the biggest impact on the jobs you are eligible for.

Some of the most popular jobs for Canadians in France on a working holiday are in hospitality, tourism, farm work, food service, marketing and administration. Wondering whether you need to speak French to work in France? The answer is no, you can find work as an au pair, as an English tutor, and so on. However, learning the local language will open you up to more opportunities.

France Working Holiday Visa Requirements

In order to be eligible to apply for the France Working Holiday Visa, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Hold a valid Canadian passport and be a current resident of Canada
• Between 18 and 35 at the time of application
• Provide evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself in France
• Have round-trip flight tickets or proof of funds to purchase a flight to Canada
• No dependents

Get Started on Applying for The France Working Holiday Visa

We recommend you start planning at least three months prior to your planned departure. In order to apply, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Write a motivation letter explaining your interest and qualifications for the visa
• Obtain a personal bank statement showing €2500 in savings
• Return plane ticket or sufficient funds to purchase a ticket
• Photograph
• Travel insurance that meets specific requirements covering the duration of your stay

The Visa Application Process

Now that you have your documents, you will need to create an account on the official website for visa applications to France. From here, it’s a three-part process:

1. Fill out the first part of your visa application online with your personal details
2. Book an appointment with a Biometrics Center in Canada where you will complete your application in person and submit the required biometric information
3. Collect your passport once it has been processed, or wait for your passport to be sent back with the visa. This normally takes between seven and 15 business days

The visa costs €99 and you will also be required to pay a fee for your biometrics appointment.

What to Do When You Arrive in France

Hoorah! You’ve got your visa and made the big move to France from Canada. Now, you will need to complete the foreigner registration process in your local municipality. Et voila! Now you can begin your France Working Holiday.