France Working Holiday Visa Requirements, Documents Required, and Application Steps

The France Working Holiday Visa (officially called Visa Vacances-Travail) is a long-stay visa that allows young adults from eligible countries to live in France for up to one year while also having the right to work.

Unlike other work visas, you don’t need a job offer beforehand, and you’re not tied to one employer or industry. The main purpose of the visa is cultural exchange, and you can use income from your job to travel around and explore France.

Eligibility for France’s Working Holiday Visa

The two main criteria for getting a Working Holiday Visa (Vacances-travail) for France are nationality and age:

• Nationality: You must belong to one of the following nationalities:

• • • Australia
    • Argentina
    • Brazil
    • Canada
    • Chile
    • Colombia
    • South Korea
    • Japan
    • New Zealand
    • Hong Kong
    • Mexico
    • Peru
    • Russia
    • Taiwan
    • Uruguay

• Age: You must be between the ages of 18 and 30 (except for nationals of Argentina, Australia, and Canada, where the maximum age is 35 years).

Applying for a Working Holiday Visa

You have to apply for a Working Holiday Visa at a French visa application office in your country of nationality. Here’s an overview of the application process:

1. Make an appointment. You’ll have to apply through a French embassy/consulate or a visa application center such as VFS.
2. Collect the required documents. When scheduling your application, the visa center should provide you with a list of documents you have to present. Make sure you have everything, or your application may be rejected.
3. Pay the visa application fee. There is a €99 visa processing fee. You have to pay it in your local currency, either right before you apply or on the day of your appointment. Private visa centers, such as VFS, will have an additional service fee.
4. Attend the appointment and interview. On the day of your appointment, show up on time and make sure your documents are in order. You may need to enter a visa interview, where the consular/visa officer asks you questions about your upcoming trip and plans.
5. Wait for the visa to be processed. It takes about two weeks to hear a decision on your visa application. If your visa is approved, you can travel to France within the validity period stated on the visa sticker.

If you’re not sure about the process or want to be confident you’re meeting all the requirements, it can be helpful to consult with an expert. You can schedule a free consultation with immigration experts at Lexidy to help you explore your options.

Supporting Documents

The documents you have to submit for a French Working holiday visa include the following:

• Completed French Long Stay Visa Application From. The information that you submit here should be correct and honest.
• Two French Visa Photos. You should submit two photos alongside with the other documents. They must be no older than three months and taken according to the France Visa Photo Requirements.
• Valid passport. Before you apply, check your passport for its validity and date of issuance. It must have been issued within the last 10 years and valid for a minimum of 3 months after the end of your planned stay in France. The passport must have at least two blank pages in order to be able to put the visa sticker on it.
• Copies of older visas. If you have ever held any visa to any country in the world, submit copies of those visas.
• Proof of purchased French insurance. You will need to provide proof that you have medical insurance that covers any health problems that you encounter while in France.
• Proof of accommodation in France. Another very important document that you need to submit is proof where you will be staying in France. According to the purpose of your trip, at least one of the following should be submitted:
  • Hotel or hostel reservations for the places to visit.
  • Certificate of reception “Attestation d’accueil”, issued by the person to accommodate the visa candidate, stamped by the city hall (for private visits)
  • Rental contract – “Bail de location” in France if you will be staying in a rented place.
  • Certificate of title for a property in France, if you are the owner of a house/apartment in France.
• Proof of paid visa fee.
• Proof of inward travel to France. Confirmed ticket to France or a fully paid booking.
• Proof of outward travel from France. Which could be a ticket to your home country or booking, or if you are planning to leave to another country after France then you must show a valid residence permit to that country.
• Means of Subsistence. You will have to show that you have the financial means to support yourself during the beginning of your stay in France (equivalent 3270 Euros as a minimum). This could be a bank statement that shows the funds you have or a letter of support by a sponsor that promises to support you as well as a bank statement for their funds.
• A letter written in either French or English that explains why you wish to go to France.
• A letter from the authorities in applicant’s home country that shows a clean criminal record.
• A medical certificate established by a GP in your home country.

If you’re finding the document requirements overwhelming or you’re unsure whether you meet all the criteria, it might be worth speaking with someone who knows the system. Immigration lawyers at firms like Lexidy specialize in French visas, including the Working Holiday Visa, and can help clarify your next steps. They even offer free consultations if you want to talk through your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions