Key Takeaways
• VLS-TS lets young people stay, work, and travel in France 🇫🇷 for up to 12 months (24 for Canadians).
• Application requires €99 visa fee, €200 validation tax, proof of funds, health insurance, and translated documents.
• Visa must be validated online within three months of arrival or you lose legal status in France 🇫🇷.
If you are a young person wanting to live, work, and travel in the French Republic 🇫🇷 for up to a year, the Long-Stay Visa known as the VLS-TS (Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour) through the Working Holiday Program could be your answer. This guide explains, in simple words, who can apply, what you need, how much it costs, how long you can stay, and what steps to follow to get this visa. The explanations here are detailed, easy to understand, and will help you avoid common mistakes.
What is the French VLS-TS and the Working Holiday Program?
The French Republic 🇫🇷 offers a special kind of Long-Stay Visa called the VLS-TS, which stands for a long-stay visa that also acts as a residence permit. When you get this visa under the Working Holiday Program (called “Programme vacances-travail” or PVT), you can spend up to 12 months in France 🇫🇷. During this time, you can work and travel freely, giving you the chance to really experience life in the country.
If you are from Canada 🇨🇦 and some other select countries, you may even be able to stay up to 24 months. This program is meant for young people who want to discover the country, work without the need for a special work permit, and enjoy more than just short-term tourism.
Checklist: What You Need to Qualify
Here’s a quick checklist to see if you can apply:
- Age: 18–30 years old (or up to 35 if you’re from countries like Canada 🇨🇦, Argentina 🇦🇷, or Australia 🇦🇺).
- Passport: Must be valid for your entire stay and have at least two blank pages.
- Nationality: You must be from a country that has a working holiday agreement with the French Republic 🇫🇷. This includes Australia 🇦🇺, Argentina 🇦🇷, Brazil 🇧🇷, Canada 🇨🇦, Chile 🇨🇱, Colombia 🇨🇴, Ecuador 🇪🇨, South Korea 🇰🇷, Japan 🇯🇵, New Zealand 🇳🇿, Hong Kong SAR 🇭🇰, Mexico 🇲🇽, Peru 🇵🇪, Russia 🇷🇺, Taiwan 🇹🇼, and Uruguay 🇺🇾.
- First-Time Applicant: Normally, you can only use the French Working Holiday Program once.
- Travel Alone: You cannot bring children or family members on your visa.
- Health Insurance: You need proof of health insurance covering both medical care and, if needed, the cost to send you back home.
- Money: You must show you have enough money for your stay (usually €2,500 to €3,100 in your bank account, depending on your country).
- Proof of Accommodation: You should show where you’ll stay, at least for your first days or weeks. This can be a hotel booking, rental agreement, or a host letter.
- Good Character: Sometimes a police records check is needed.
- Return Ticket: If you do not have a ticket for going home, you must have enough money to buy one.
- Personal Letter: Write a short letter explaining why you want to come to France 🇫🇷 on this program.
Important: All documents not in French must be officially translated. Double-check the official list for your country at the relevant French embassy or consulate.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the French Working Holiday Program VLS-TS
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
- Make sure you meet the age and nationality requirements.
- Visit your local French embassy’s website or the France‑Visas official portal for the most up-to-date information.
Step 2: Prepare All Required Documents
- Check what paperwork you need. This always includes your passport, the application form, photos, proof of funds, insurance, accommodation, and your personal motivation letter.
- If your documents are not in French, get them translated by an official translator.
Step 3: Complete the Online Application
- Go to the France‑Visas portal.
- Use the “visa assistant” tool to check what is required for the Working Holiday Program.
- Fill out the application form with your personal details. Double-check for any mistakes before submitting.
Step 4: Book Your Appointment
- Schedule a meeting at the nearest French consulate or visa service center. This will be for giving your fingerprints and maybe a short talk (an interview).
Step 5: Submit Your Documents and Pay the Fees
- Take all your original documents and copies to your appointment.
- Pay the visa application fee of €99 on the day you submit your paperwork. This fee is not returned if your application is denied.
Step 6: Wait for a Decision
- Processing can take a few weeks, sometimes longer in busy travel seasons. You can usually track your application online.
- Do not book your travel ticket until your visa is approved.
Step 7: Receive Your VLS-TS Visa
- If you are approved, you will get a special sticker or stamp inside your passport.
- Check all details on the visa to make sure they are correct.
Step 8: Travel to France 🇫🇷 and Validate Your Visa
- After you arrive in the French Republic 🇫🇷, you must validate your VLS-TS within the first three months.
- Do this online on the French government’s validation website (look for “validate long-stay visa”).
- Pay the validation tax of about €200 with a bank card.
- Enter your passport details, the date you arrived, and your address in France.
Important: If you do not validate your visa, you lose your right to stay, and you cannot return to the Schengen Area until you fix the problem.
Step 9: Attend Additional Procedures (if required)
- Sometimes, you may be called in for a health check or to take part in an information meeting run by OFII (the French Immigration Office).
- Follow any instructions sent to you as soon as possible.
Fees and Costs
- Visa Application Fee: €99 (pay this when you hand in your application).
- Validation Tax (VLS-TS): Around €200 (pay this online after you arrive in France 🇫🇷 when you validate your visa).
- These fees are required for everyone and are not refunded if your application is denied.
Make sure you have money for living expenses, as the French authorities ask you to show at least €2,500–€3,100 in your account. You may also need money for a return ticket or show proof that you can afford one.
How Long Can You Stay?
- The VLS-TS lets you stay up to 12 months.
- For Canadians 🇨🇦, you may be able to stay up to 24 months (ask your local embassy for details).
- You cannot usually renew or extend this visa. With very few exceptions, after the time ends, you must return home unless you apply for a different kind of residency through the local prefecture before your program ends.
Working in France 🇫🇷 on a Working Holiday Program
As long as you hold the VLS-TS under the Working Holiday Program, you can work in most jobs in France 🇫🇷. This includes jobs in tourism, hotels, restaurants, and other temporary work.
Caution: There are some jobs you cannot do. For example, you cannot be an au pair (a live-in child caregiver), and a few other jobs may be restricted. Always check current rules before applying for a job.
You do not need to ask permission from the French labor office to take a job under this program, making it easier to find work quickly.
While in France 🇫🇷: What Else Should You Know?
- Opening a Bank Account: You will need proof of where you live and your passport with the VLS-TS sticker. Some banks might have extra requirements for people from abroad.
- Renting an Apartment: Landlords often ask for proof of income, your VLS-TS, and a local address. It helps to have some references.
- Healthcare: Your health insurance needs to remain valid for your whole stay. You may also want to join French public health insurance if you qualify.
If Your Application is Refused
If your visa application is denied, you are not refunded the visa fee. You can ask the consulate about how to appeal or prepare to try again if you missed paperwork or another rule.
If you still want to stay after your program ends, you must apply for a different residence permit before your visa runs out. Otherwise, you have to return home.
Best Practices and Tips
- Always start your application two to three months before you plan to travel.
- Double-check all supporting documents, including translations.
- Keep copies of every document in both paper and digital form.
- Make sure your insurance policy meets every requirement (medical, accident, and repatriation).
- Respond quickly if the French authorities contact you after you arrive.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
– Not validating your visa when you arrive.
– Not having enough money to show proof of funds.
– Forgetting to translate documents into French.
– Missing your appointment at the consulate.
Where to Get More Help
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always check the France‑Visas official website. This is where you will find applications, checklists, and country-specific guidance. Your local French consulate or embassy can answer questions about your situation.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that policies and requirements can sometimes change quickly, so it’s wise to check both government and trusted immigration information sites before starting your plans.
Summary: What to Expect After Completing the Steps
Once you follow the steps—collecting documents, submitting your application, paying fees, and validating your visa upon arrival—you can spend up to a year in the French Republic 🇫🇷 living, working, and exploring the country. Remember that you are responsible for obeying French laws, keeping your insurance up to date, and leaving before your visa expires unless you change your status legally.
The French Long-Stay Visa under the Working Holiday Program is a unique way for young people to spend extended time in France 🇫🇷. Plan carefully, make sure your documents are correct, and you’ll have an easier start to your adventure in France.
For any situations not covered in this guide, or if you need help, always check with the France‑Visas official portal or your local embassy. Staying informed and prepared makes your journey safe and enjoyable.
Final Checklist for the French Working Holiday VLS-TS Application:
– [ ] Confirm age and nationality.
– [ ] Prepare valid passport and photos.
– [ ] Complete and print long-stay visa application form.
– [ ] Gather proof of accommodation, funds, return ticket, and insurance.
– [ ] Write and sign personal motivation letter.
– [ ] Check for translations into French.
– [ ] Book and attend consulate appointment.
– [ ] Pay €99 visa fee.
– [ ] Wait for visa and check accuracy of issued VLS-TS.
– [ ] Travel to France 🇫🇷 and validate visa online within three months.
– [ ] Pay €200 validation tax.
– [ ] Be prepared for OFII summons if required.
With good planning and careful attention to each requirement, your dream of spending a year (or two, for some nationalities) living and working in France 🇫🇷 can become a reality.
Learn Today
VLS-TS → A long-stay visa for France that also counts as your residence permit, required for the Working Holiday Program.
Working Holiday Program → A bilateral youth mobility agreement allowing young adults to live, work, and travel in a partner country for up to one year.
Validation Tax → A required fee (about €200) paid online to validate your French long-stay visa and activate residency rights after arrival.
OFII → The French Office for Immigration and Integration, which may require medical checks or information sessions for long-stay visa holders.
Proof of Funds → Bank statements or documents showing you have sufficient money (usually €2,500–€3,100) to support yourself in France.
This Article in a Nutshell
Dreaming of living and working in France? The VLS-TS Working Holiday Visa lets young travelers stay up to a year, work temporarily, and explore the culture. Follow strict steps, provide documentation, and validate your visa on arrival to ensure a smooth, legal, and memorable experience in the French Republic.
— By VisaVerge.com
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