Age
This page covers only IEC Working Holiday for French citizens. Other IEC categories are not interchangeable.
References : CA-FR
French passport / Practical guide
Canada Working Holiday for French citizens (2026)
Requirements to check for your Working Holiday visa in Canada, application steps and preparation before travelling.
Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
Canada at a glance
- Age
- 18–35 inclusiveLearn moreReferences : CA-FR
- Length of stay
- Up to 24 monthsLearn moreReferences : CA-FR
- Initial funds
- At least CAD 2,500 + departure costsLearn moreReferences : CA-FR
- Visa fee
- CAD 184.75 IEC + CAD 100 open permitLearn moreReferences : FRC-CA-FEE CA-APPLY
- Application timing
- IEC invitation requiredLearn moreReferences : CA-APPLY CA-PROFILE
- Language
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences : FRC-CA-PRIMARY
- Study
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences : FRC-CA-PRIMARY
- Work
- Open permit during its validityLearn moreReferences : FRC-CA-ARRIVAL
Source research. Confirm every condition with the authority before applying. Rules can change after our source check.
France →CanadaWorking Holiday in Canada for French citizens (2026)
Requirements to check and steps to prepare your trip.
Step 1
Check requirements and prepare your language
Annual quota
The inspected instructions do not establish an applicable annual ceiling; no remaining places are inferred.
References : FRC-CA-PRIMARY
Application timing
A profile is not a work permit application and does not guarantee an invitation. After an invitation, you have ten days to accept and then twenty days after acceptance to submit the complete application. Follow the exact deadline in your account. The submission deadline is in UTC: submit early rather than waiting for the final day.
References : CA-APPLY CA-PROFILE
Language
The inspected instructions do not specify a language-test threshold; application language is distinct from visa eligibility.
References : FRC-CA-PRIMARY
Explore language courses →Length of stay
The granted period depends on passport validity and insurance, among other conditions. A permit cannot exceed passport validity.
References : CA-FR
Visa fee
Biometric charges may be additional. Check the applicable total in the official account before payment.
References : FRC-CA-FEE CA-APPLY
Initial funds
Prepare this reserve for initial expenses and separately hold a return ticket or funds to leave Canada. Actual living costs depend on your city.
References : CA-FR
Passport
Check your passport before planning two years in Canada. Its expiry may shorten the permit.
References : CA-FR
Insurance
Even if eligible for Quebec health coverage, repatriation remains required and may need additional insurance.
References : CA-FR
Documents and participation
IRCC lists exceptions for participation before 2015 and a possible additional International Co-op participation. Check your history directly with IRCC; do not mix the categories.
References : CA-FR
Step 2
Apply for the visa
- Check France Working Holiday criteria, passport validity and any previous IEC participation.
- Create the official profile and follow the relevant pool instructions. Registration is neither an invitation nor a permit.
- If invited, accept within the stated deadline and prepare the full application, fees and any required biometrics.
- Wait for the decision and read entry instructions. Keep insurance, funds evidence and requested documents for arrival checks.
Step 3
After approval
Read the full decision: dates, identity, conditions and any evidence needed on arrival. Keep a copy available offline. Do not assume the visa starts or ends on your preferred date.
Step 4
Prepare your trip
Prepare passport and insurance for the intended twenty-four months without assuming the granted duration. Before departure obtain a bank statement under one week old and keep the introduction letter and application copies.
- Passport, visa and evidence accessible offline.
- Insurance, financial reserve and departure travel checked separately.
- First accommodation, arrival transport and emergency contacts prepared.
Step 5
Start your Working Holiday
Tell the officer you are coming to work. Before leaving inspection, check the permit’s name, expiry, open employer, unknown location and medical restrictions; report errors immediately.
Work
IRCC sets no WH-specific work-duration or hours cap while the permit is valid; medical and occupational restrictions still apply.
Study
The inspected page does not specify a study duration for this passport; confirm before enrolling in a lengthy course.
Explore language courses →Language courses · commercial service
Prepare your language skills before travelling.
Through ViveCampus, you can get quotes for language courses with international-student discounts. Offers may vary by your country of origin and destination. Request a personalized quote to confirm available discounts and the final price. Booking a course does not guarantee a visa.
Other destinations to compare
- Working Holiday in Australia →
- Working Holiday in New Zealand →
- Working Holiday in Japan →
- Working Holiday in Argentina →
- Working Holiday in Brazil →
- Working Holiday in Chile →
- Working Holiday in Colombia →
- Working Holiday in Ecuador →
- Working Holiday in Mexico →
- Working Holiday in Peru →
- Working Holiday in Uruguay →
- Working Holiday in South Korea →
- Working Holiday in Hong Kong →
- Working Holiday in Taiwan →
Frequently asked questions
Is an IEC profile a work-permit application?
No. The profile enters a pool. An invitation is required before the complete application; follow the account’s exact deadlines.
References : CA-APPLY
Are twenty-four months guaranteed?
No. That is the French maximum. Passport, insurance or biometrics expiry can shorten the issued permit.
References : FRC-CA-ARRIVAL
Does Quebec health coverage replace repatriation insurance?
No. IRCC requires repatriation, which provincial coverage does not provide. Additional insurance may therefore be necessary.
References : FRC-CA-PRIMARY
How recent must the arrival bank statement be?
The statement must be issued no more than one week before departure and show CAD 2,500 or equivalent. Departure resources remain additional.
References : FRC-CA-ARRIVAL
Does the introduction letter itself authorise work?
No. Present it at arrival with the other evidence. The officer decides admission and issues the permit; check it before leaving inspection.
References : FRC-CA-ARRIVAL
Does previous participation always exclude IEC?
French rules distinguish Working Holiday, International Co-op and pre-2015 participation. Check your history with IRCC instead of applying another passport’s rule.
References : FRC-CA-PRIMARY
Contacts and consular assistance
For your application, use the issuing authority’s official contact details. For assistance to French citizens abroad, use the French diplomatic directory; the French consulate does not decide the host country’s visa.
French embassy and consulate directory ↗Official sources
Documentary research: individual source check dates below. Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.. Guidance is reviewed periodically; confirm rules before applying.
Source checked on 2026-10-16 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
CA-FR · IRCC · France - Working Holiday
Read the official source ↗Source checked on 2026-10-16 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
CA-APPLY · IRCC · Submit your work permit application
Read the official source ↗Source checked on 2026-10-16 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
CA-PROFILE · IRCC · Create your IEC profile and respond to an invitation
Read the official source ↗Source checked on 2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
FRC-CA-PRIMARY · IRCC · France - Working Holiday
Read the official source ↗Source checked on 2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
FRC-CA-ARRIVAL · IRCC arrival
Read the official source ↗Source checked on 2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.