# France Working Holiday Visa: Guide for Canadians, Australians, NZ
> How Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders can apply for the France Working Holiday Visa in 2026: fees, documents, age limits, and processing.
**URL:** https://migaku.com/blog/language-fun/france-working-holiday-visa-guide-for-canadians-australians-nz
**Last Updated:** 2026-05-25
**Tags:** resources, culture
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If you hold a Canadian, Australian, or New Zealand passport and want to spend up to a year living, traveling, and working casually in France, the France Working Holiday Visa (visa long séjour with the *vacances-travail* mention) is the path you want. It is a Type D long-stay visa, generally valid for 12 months, and it lets you take paid work on a secondary basis while you explore the country.
*Last updated: May 25, 2026*
## Who can apply in 2026
France has bilateral Working Holiday agreements with 16 countries and territories. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are all in the program, but the age rules differ by nationality.
| Nationality | Age range | Maximum stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 18 to 35 (until the day before turning 36) | 12 months, renewable for a second 12-month stay | Annual quota of 7,000 places; historically not reached |
| Australia | 18 to 35 (until the day before turning 36) | 12 months | No published quota; must apply via VFS Global in Australia |
| New Zealand | 18 to 30 | 12 months | Standard WHV age cap applies |
Key eligibility points that apply to all three nationalities:
- You must hold a passport from the eligible country and, generally, be applying from your country of nationality. Australian, Canadian, and Colombian nationals residing abroad may apply at the competent French consular service in their country of residence.
- Tourism and cultural discovery must be the main purpose of your stay. Paid work is allowed on a secondary basis, without prior approval from French authorities.
- You must not have previously held a French Working Holiday Visa, with one exception: Canadians may do two WHV stays of up to 12 months each (24 months total in the WHV category) under the France-Canada Youth Mobility Agreement.
- You need proof of sufficient funds, valid health insurance covering your full stay, and either a return ticket or extra funds to buy one.
## Document checklist
The France-Visas portal is the authoritative source, and the exact list varies slightly by consulate. As of 2026, expect to provide the following:
- A valid passport issued less than 10 years ago, with at least two blank pages and validity of at least three months beyond your planned return date.
- Two ICAO-standard passport photos.
- A completed long-stay visa application form, signed and dated.
- A signed *vacances-travail* cover letter explaining your project in France (planned itinerary, motivation, type of work you might take).
- Proof of sufficient financial resources. For Australians, the Consulate-General of France in Sydney requires a minimum of AUD 5,000 shown on a recent bank statement or pay slip. For Canadians, the typical reference figure is around €2,500 (roughly CAD 3,800) plus a return ticket, or extra funds to cover one. These are reference figures, not always statutory thresholds, so check the current requirement on France-Visas before you apply.
- A return ticket or a sworn statement (affidavit of departure) confirming you can fund one.
- Comprehensive medical, hospital, and repatriation insurance covering the entire stay. Quebec residents may submit a RAMQ certificate of coverage instead of private insurance.
- A French criminal record check is generally not required for the WHV, but some consulates ask for a local police certificate. Confirm with the consulate that handles your file.
- Proof of accommodation for your arrival is helpful but usually not mandatory.
If you are thinking about converting to a longer-term work setup later, it is worth understanding [other France work visa options](https://migaku.com/blog/language-fun/moving-to-france-for-work-the-salaried-worker-visa-explained) before you arrive, because some routes require an employer to start the paperwork from outside France.
## How to apply: step by step
The process differs between countries, particularly because Australia moved fully to a VFS Global submission model in early 2026.
### Canadians
1. Create an account on the France-Visas portal and complete the online application.
2. Identify the French consulate that covers your province of residence.
3. Book an appointment with VFS Global in Canada to submit your file and provide biometrics.
4. Pay the visa fee and the VFS service fee at the appointment (debit card or exact cash in CAD).
5. Track your application online. Standard processing is around 15 days for a complete file.
6. Pick up your passport with the visa sticker, or have it returned by courier.
The France-Canada WHV is administered on the Canadian side by International Experience Canada (IEC), which sits inside a broader IEC program that receives over 250,000 applications a year for roughly 90,000 spots across all destinations. The France-specific quota of 7,000 is generous in comparison.
### Australians
As of January 2026, direct submission at the Consulate-General of France in Sydney is no longer accepted. All applications go through VFS Global. The current centres are Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane.
1. Apply between 3 months and 15 days before your planned arrival in France.
2. Complete the online form on France-Visas.
3. Book a VFS Global appointment in the city closest to you.
4. Attend in person with your full file and biometrics. The Consulate-General does not answer questions about procedures, documents, appointments, or processing times, so rely on the France-Visas portal and VFS.
5. Track and collect the passport via VFS.
### New Zealanders
New Zealand applicants apply through the French representation that covers New Zealand (the Embassy of France in Wellington or its designated visa partner). The 18-to-30 age cap applies, and the rest of the process mirrors the Australian model: online France-Visas form, in-person appointment, biometrics, return of passport.
## Fees and processing time
Fees are payable in local currency at the time of the appointment and are generally non-refundable, even if your application is refused.
| Item | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| Long-stay visa fee | Approximately €99 |
| Canada chancery rate | €1 ≈ CAD 1.45 (debit card or exact cash CAD only) |
| VFS service fee, Canada | €31.50 per application |
| VFS service fee, Sydney | €40 (approx. AUD 70) |
| VFS service fee, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane | €70 (approx. AUD 120) |
| Standard processing time | Around 15 days for a complete file |
| Earliest submission window | No more than 6 months before travel (Canada); 3 months to 15 days before arrival (Australia) |
There is no expedited procedure. The French Visa Section explicitly warns against submitting earlier than necessary, since visa start dates align with your stated travel date.
## After you arrive in France
The WHV is one of the smoother French immigration paths once you land:
- You do not need to complete arrival formalities or apply for a residence permit (titre de séjour) on entry. The visa itself authorizes your stay.
- You may take paid work without applying for a separate work authorization. Employers will ask for your visa, passport, and a French bank account.
- The statutory minimum wage (SMIC) in 2026 is approximately €12.02 gross per hour, which is the floor for any legal employment you take.
- Casual jobs in hospitality, seasonal agriculture (vendanges, ski resorts), au pair roles, retail, and tourism are the most common WHV options. If you want office or skilled work, [prepare your French CV properly](https://migaku.com/blog/language-fun/how-to-write-a-french-cv-format-photo-rules-and-mistakes-to-avoid), since the format expected by French recruiters differs from Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand norms.
- Open a French bank account early. Many employers and landlords will not deal with foreign IBANs.
- Your private travel insurance covers emergencies, but if you stay longer or move into French employment, you will likely need to understand the French social health system. Background reading on [health insurance for expats in France](https://migaku.com/blog/language-fun/mutuelle-in-france-why-expats-need-top-up-health-insurance) is useful.
### Border changes to be aware of
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began rollout on 12 October 2025, with full implementation expected by April 2026 across Schengen borders. It replaces passport stamps with biometric data collection at entry and exit.
ETIAS, the €20 pre-travel authorization valid up to three years (or until passport expiry), is scheduled to become mandatory for Australians and Canadians for short visa-free Schengen trips starting in the last quarter of 2026. ETIAS is not required for long-stay WHV holders, since you enter on a national long-stay visa, but it will affect any short visits you make to Schengen countries before or after your WHV.
## Extending or doing a second stay
The WHV is generally not extendable. There are two important exceptions:
- Canadians, second WHV. Under the France-Canada Youth Mobility Agreement, Canadians can do a second Working Holiday stay of up to 12 months, for a total of 24 months in the WHV category. The second application must be submitted before your 36th birthday and is filed from Canada, like the first.
- Canadians, Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS). Canadians already in France on a WHV may apply at their préfecture for an APS of up to 12 months under the Franco-Canadian accord. This is distinct from a WHV renewal and is intended to bridge into work or studies.
Australians and New Zealanders do not have an equivalent renewal route. To stay longer, you generally need to switch status from France to another visa category (salaried worker, talent passport, student) before the WHV expires, or leave and return on a different visa.
## Common pitfalls
- Applying too early. France-Visas rejects applications submitted outside the allowed window. For Canadians, do not file more than six months before travel; for Australians, the window is 3 months to 15 days before arrival.
- Insufficient funds proof. A screenshot of an online banking app is not enough. Use a stamped bank statement or recent official pay slips showing the required threshold for your nationality.
- Insurance that excludes repatriation. Travel policies are often missing repatriation cover or have inadequate limits. Read the policy wording carefully before you submit.
- Booking flights too early. The visa start date is tied to your declared travel date. Flexible or refundable tickets are wise until your visa is approved.
- Assuming the visa covers the whole Schengen area for work. It does not. The WHV authorizes work in France only. You can travel within Schengen as a tourist while it is valid.
- Australians contacting the consulate directly. The Sydney Consulate-General will not answer procedural questions. Use the France-Visas portal and VFS Global.
- Confusing the WHV with a residence permit. You do not get a *titre de séjour* automatically. If you want to switch status in France, start the process at your préfecture well before the visa expires.
## FAQ
Can I bring a partner or children on the WHV?
No. The WHV is individual. A partner must apply for their own WHV if eligible, or come on a separate visa category.
Can I study in France on a WHV?
Short courses (including language schools) are fine. Enrolling in a full university degree generally requires switching to a student visa.
Can I be self-employed or freelance?
The WHV allows paid employment on a secondary basis. Freelance work is in a grey area; if you plan to run a business, look at the *profession libérale* or *entrepreneur* routes instead.
Do I need to speak French?
There is no language test for the WHV. In practice, French is essential for most jobs outside of tourism and international hospitality, and useful everywhere.
What if my application is refused?
The visa fee is non-refundable. You can reapply with corrected documents or appeal in writing to the Commission de Recours contre les Refus de Visa (CRRV) in Nantes within two months of the refusal.
Does France count toward the 90/180 Schengen short-stay rule once I have a WHV?
No. While the WHV is valid, your time in France is on the long-stay visa, not on the 90/180 short-stay allowance.
If you are heading to France on a Working Holiday, picking up real French (not just textbook phrases) will change how the year goes, from finding work to making friends. Migaku helps you learn French from the shows, news, and YouTube channels you already want to watch, so [try Migaku](https://migaku.com/signup) before you fly.