France Working Holiday Visa: How to Apply Easily
France is a popular Working Holiday destination for Australians looking to combine travel and short-term work in Europe. The France Working Holiday Visa allows Australian citizens to stay in France for up to 12 months while working legally to support their stay.
Introduced under a bilateral agreement between France and Australia, the programme is governed by French immigration rules applicable to long-stay visas.
Although the application process is clearly defined by French authorities, many applicants have questions about eligibility, required documents, costs in AUD and insurance obligations. This guide provides clear and up-to-date information to help Australians prepare their application and understand the key rules before departure.
What Is the France Working Holiday Visa?
The France Working Holiday Visa (WHV), also called Programme Vacances-Travail (PVT), is a long-stay visa issued under a bilateral agreement between France and Australia. It allows young Australian citizens to stay in France primarily for tourism, with the possibility to work to support their stay.
The visa is not tied to a specific employer and does not require a job offer before applying.
✅ With this visa, you can:
- Stay legally in France for the duration of the visa.
- Work legally in France, including short-term or casual jobs.
- Travel freely within the Schengen Area during your stay.
❌ With this visa, you cannot:
- Work in regulated professions that require French qualifications or authorisations.
- Take up permanent employment or settle long-term under this visa.
- Extend or renew the Working Holiday Visa once it expires, in general terms and subject to confirmation by the competent authorities.
⏱️ The visa is valid for up to 12 months. It is issued as a long-stay visa and allows travel within the Schengen Area during its validity.
👉 Compared to other Working Holiday destinations:
- There is no annual quota officially published for Australians.
- There is no requirement to secure employment before arrival.
- It offers access to a wide European job market and travel opportunities within Europe.
Requirements remain relatively straightforward, but strict compliance with documentation, including insurance coverage, is essential.
Who Can Apply for a France Working Holiday Visa?
- 🇦🇺 Available to Australian citizens under the bilateral agreement between Australia and France.
- 🎂 Applicants must be aged 18 to 35 inclusive at the time of application. Applicants must not have reached their 36th birthday on the date the visa application is submitted.
- 👶 Applicants must not be accompanied by dependent children during their stay in France.
- 💰Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves at the beginning of their stay in France. The required amount and accepted proof may vary but as a general guideline, French authorities usually expect proof of at least EUR 3,100.
- 🏥 Applicants may be required to demonstrate that they are in good health, depending on individual circumstances and consular requirements.
- 🧾 Applicants must have no serious criminal convictions and may be asked to provide a criminal record certificate.
Documents Required for the France Working Holiday Visa
Document | Mandatory? | Stage | Useful Information |
|---|---|---|---|
🛂 Passport | Yes | Application | Must be an Australian passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least the duration of the stay in France. Additional validity may be requested; this should be confirmed with the competent authority. |
💰 Proof of funds | Yes | Application | As a general rule, proof of at least EUR 3,100 (or equivalent in AUD) is required. Recent bank statements in the applicant’s name are usually accepted. This amount is assessed at the time of application and does not need to be maintained throughout the entire stay. |
✈️ Return ticket or sufficient funds | Yes | Application | Applicants must show either a return ticket to Australia or additional funds sufficient to purchase one. |
🧾 Criminal record certificate | Sometimes | Application | May be requested depending on individual circumstances. If required, it must generally be issued by Australian authorities and be recent. |
🏥 Medical certificate | Sometimes | Application | Not systematically required, but may be requested by consular authorities in specific cases. Requirements can vary. |
🏠 Proof of accommodation | Yes | Application | Temporary accommodation (hotel booking, short-term rental, host letter) is generally accepted. Long-term accommodation is not mandatory at the time of application. |
Yes | Application | Must cover healthcare, hospitalisation and repatriation for the entire duration of the visa. This document is closely examined and is a frequent source of refusals if non-compliant. |
- Providing insurance coverage that does not span the full 12-month stay.
- Submitting bank statements that are outdated, incomplete or not clearly in the applicant’s name.
- Selecting the wrong visa category on the France-Visas platform.
- Assuming that a job offer is required before applying, which is not the case in general.
- Underestimating processing times and booking travel before receiving the visa.
- Failing to check the latest requirements, as conditions may evolve and are assessed by the competent authorities.
How to Apply for the France Working Holiday Visa
Step 1: Create Your France-Visas Account
Applications must be started on the official France-Visas website. Applicants create a personal account to complete the long-stay visa application form online. ⚠️ Don't choose the wrong visa category or enter details that do not exactly match the passport.
Step 2: Complete the Online Application
Select the long-stay Working Holiday / Young Traveller visa. Carefully review all information and prepare the required documents to avoid delays. They are listed at the end of the online process.
Step 3: Book and Attend Your VFS Appointment
Australian applicants submit their application through VFS Global in Australia. Appointments are generally available in major Australian cities, subject to availability. Documents are checked, biometric data is collected and fees are paid.
Step 4: Visa Processing and Approval
In general, processing times range from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the period and individual circumstances. The passport is returned once a decision is made. If approved, the Working Holiday Visa is affixed to the passport and specifies the validity dates and conditions.
How Much Does the France Working Holiday Visa Cost?
Cost type | Amount | Mandatory? | Useful information |
|---|---|---|---|
💶 Visa fee | EUR 99 (≈ AUD 160–170, depending on exchange rate) | Yes | Standard fee for a French long-stay visa. Paid at the time of the VFS appointment. Non-refundable if the visa is refused. |
🧾 VFS service fee | Approx. AUD 50 | Yes | Charged by VFS Global for handling the application. Paid in addition to the visa fee. Amount may vary slightly by location and payment method. |
🛡️Travel Insurance | Varies (often AUD 400–800 for 12 months) | Yes | Must cover healthcare, hospitalisation and repatriation for the entire stay. Inadequate coverage is a common cause of refusal. |
🌐 Document translations | Varies (often AUD 50–150 per document) | Sometimes | Required only if certain documents are not accepted in English. Requirements depend on the consular authority. |
🧾 Certificates and documents | Varies | Sometimes | Criminal record certificates or medical documents may involve additional fees, depending on individual circumstances. |
The cost of comprehensive travel health insurance may represent a significant part of the overall budget, but it is mandatory for the France Working Holiday Visa and provides essential protection against medical expenses, hospitalisation and repatriation throughout the stay.
Get my WHV insurance quote💡 All fees and requirements are set by the competent authorities or service providers and may change. Applicants should confirm current costs before applying and budget additional expenses beyond the visa itself.
France Working Holiday Visa Insurance
Is France Working Holiday Visa Insurance Mandatory?
Yes. Comprehensive travel health insurance is required for visa approval and must cover the entire duration of the stay. Border authorities may check proof of insurance upon arrival.
Arriving without compliant coverage may lead to entry issues and significant medical expenses in France.
Get your Working Holiday insurance certificate in 2 minutes
Which Insurance Should You Choose for a France Working Holiday Visa?
Insurance must cover medical expenses, hospitalisation and repatriation for 12 months, with clear limits and exclusions.
Standard travel insurance is often insufficient, as it may exclude long stays or work-related activities.
French authorities generally expect insurance specifically designed for Working Holiday Visa holders.
Finding a Job in France on a Working Holiday Visa
Australians on a Working Holiday Visa most commonly find jobs in hospitality, tourism and service-related sectors. Cafés, bars, restaurants, hotels and seasonal tourism businesses are frequent employers, particularly in areas with a high number of international visitors.
Seasonal employment is widely available in ski resorts during winter and in coastal or tourist regions during the summer months. Urban jobs are mainly concentrated in large cities such as Paris or Lyon and are often linked to hospitality, customer service or international environments.
🗣️ French is not a legal requirement to work in France, but in practice, even a basic level of French greatly improves employment prospects. English-only positions do exist, but they are limited and tend to be more competitive.
👉 To improve their chances, applicants are advised to prepare a CV adapted to French standards and to actively search for work after arrival. Flexibility regarding job type and location is often key, especially during the first weeks in France.
Living in France on a Working Holiday Visa
Accommodation Options for Working Holiday Makers
Working Holiday Visa holders usually start with short-term accommodation such as hostels, hotels or furnished rentals, which are generally easier to secure before arrival.
Long-term rentals are possible but can be more complex, as landlords often require supporting documents such as proof of income, a French guarantor or a local bank account. Requirements vary widely depending on the city and the type of housing.
Taxes, Bank Account and Social Security
In general, income earned in France is subject to French tax rules, and Working Holiday Visa holders may be required to declare their earnings depending on their situation.
Opening a French bank account is not legally mandatory but is often necessary to receive a salary and pay rent.
Access to the French public health system is limited for Working Holiday Visa holders, which is why comprehensive travel health insurance remains essential throughout the stay.
Compare the best WHV insurance plansAfter Arrival: What to Do First in France
📄 After arrival, visa holders should check whether any additional formalities are required to validate their long-stay visa. In general, Working Holiday Visa holders must ensure they comply with the conditions stated on their visa, as requirements may vary and should be confirmed with the competent authority.
🏠 Registering an address is not always mandatory immediately, but having a fixed address in France is often necessary for administrative steps such as opening a bank account or signing an employment contract. Temporary accommodation is usually sufficient at the beginning.
👷♀️ To work legally in France, employers must provide a compliant employment contract that outlines working hours, salary and job conditions. Understanding the basic terms of French employment contracts is important, as labour rules differ from those in Australia and are strictly regulated.
Can You Extend or Change Your Visa in France?
In general, the France Working Holiday Visa is not renewable. It is issued for a maximum period of 12 months and cannot be extended beyond its expiry date. Applicants should plan their stay accordingly and assume that the visa will end on the date indicated.
Switching to another visa type while in France may be possible in limited situations, such as a student visa, work visa or partner visa, but this depends on strict conditions set by French authorities. In many cases, a change of status requires leaving France and applying from abroad. Approval is never automatic and depends on eligibility, documentation and the specific circumstances. It is often complex and uncertain.
💡 Applicants should not rely on the possibility of extending or converting their visa and are advised to confirm their options with the competent authorities well in advance.
France vs Other Working Holiday Destinations for Australians
Criteria | France WHV | ||
|---|---|---|---|
⏳ Visa duration | Up to 12 months | Up to 24 months (depending on profile) | Up to 24 months |
🎂 Age limit | 18–35 | 18–35 | 18–35 |
📊 Annual quota | No official quota published | Yes, limited places | Yes, limited places |
💼 Job offer required | No | No | No |
🍽️ Main job opportunities | Hospitality, tourism, seasonal work, services | Hospitality, tourism, outdoor and seasonal work | Hospitality, retail, services |
🗣️ Language requirement | French strongly recommended, not mandatory | English required | English required |
💸 Cost of living | High in major cities, moderate elsewhere | Moderate to high | High, especially in London |
🌍 Travel opportunities | Easy travel within Europe | Mainly domestic travel | UK + limited Europe access |
🔄 Visa flexibility | Simple framework, limited extension options | More flexible duration | Flexible duration, competitive access |
👉 France is particularly well suited to Australians seeking a cultural and linguistic immersion, a European lifestyle and the ability to travel easily across multiple countries during their stay.
It appeals to travellers interested in gastronomy, tourism and seasonal work, as well as those looking for a Working Holiday experience focused on culture rather than long-term employment.
FAQ
No. In general, a job offer is not required to apply for the France Working Holiday Visa. The visa allows holders to look for work after arrival.
Yes. French is not a legal requirement to obtain the visa. However, limited French skills may reduce job opportunities, especially outside tourist areas.
No official annual quota for Australian citizens is published by French authorities. Conditions and availability should always be confirmed with the competent authority.
Yes. The Working Holiday Visa generally allows multiple entries and travel within the Schengen Area during its validity.
If a visa is refused, fees are not refunded. Applicants are usually informed of the reason and, in some cases, of possible appeal procedures.
In general, applications should be submitted several weeks before the planned departure date, as processing times may vary depending on the period and individual circumstances.
No. Proof of accommodation is usually required only for the initial period. Temporary accommodation is generally accepted.
Yes. Working Holiday Visa holders may work full-time, but the visa is intended for temporary work and cultural exchange rather than long-term employment.
Yes. Proof of compliant insurance may be checked both during the visa process and upon arrival in France. Coverage must remain valid for the entire stay.
