Working Holiday Visa or Working Holiday Program
Key points to remember
The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) allows 18-30 year olds (35 for Australia and Canada) to travel and work abroad for up to 1 year, sometimes 2. Countries accessible from France : Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Chile, Hong Kong.
The concept of the Working Holiday Visa is to work while discovering the country for 1 year.
It can be a gateway to immigration (expatriation) or to finding a Sponsor in a company in the host country.
There are many countries that offer a working holiday visa:
  ;- New Zealand, better known for its kiwis and mountainous landscapes,
- Canada, immediately conjuring images of caribou and cold weather,
- Australia, instantly bringing kangaroos to mind,
- Japan, the land of the rising sun,
- Singapore, the financial hub of Asia,
- South Korea, country of kimchee and recently K-pop,
- Taiwan, this small island speaking Mandarin (not yet official)
- Argentina, the only Latin American country.
– WHV holders often start with money in their pockets and spend it by the end of their trip, thus helping to develop the tourism industry! WHV holders are often there to have fun and live a unique experience; during my stay in Australia, I had a few thousand euros to spend in Australia.
– Filling jobs where labor is hard to find, for example in agriculture in Australia, there are many farms where labor is lacking, and there is also a shortage of staff in the restaurant industry. In Japan, there is a shortage of English or French language teachers!
Did you know?
Australia is by far the most requested WHV country by the French: more than 17,000 visas granted each year. Canada is in second place with 7,000 visas, but the lottery system limits access.
Working Holiday Visa Program: The Criteria
  ; I will present to you the different countries offering WHVs and the conditions for obtaining them.   ; General criteria : – Not having dependent children, – Not having benefited from this program before, – Having the necessary funds to purchase the round-trip ticket, – Having a passport valid for the entire stay.   ; Country-specific criteria :   ;Canada (18-35 years) : The only country up to 35 years old, it is quite easy to find work but make sure to apply early for the holiday permits as the process is long and the thousands of visas at the beginning of the year go very quickly ! Insurance, a cover letter, and a minimum amount of money in the bank are mandatory ! It is not possible to do a second year.
My experience
My WHV in Australia remains the most formative experience of my life. I left at 24 years old with a B1 level in English and €3,000 in savings. I came back 18 months later with near-native English, €12,000 in savings, and a new professional direction.
Australia (18-30 years) / New Zealand (18-30) : The visa for Australia and New Zealand is very easy to obtain ! Insurance and a well-funded account are not mandatory but recommended, and there is also not much need for a cover letter ! The WHV is renewable for Australia for 1 year if you have worked in certain regions and done certain types of jobs ! For New Zealand, it is possible to extend it by only 3 months if you have worked in agriculture !
  ;Japan (18-30 years) : Requires a medical certificate to attest good health, your CV, cover letter, and a summary of your background ! The visa is not extendable ! When applying for the visa, you must reside in France, you cannot change status during your stay, you must leave the territory.
Advantages
- Easy access to the visa (few conditions)
- Legal work allowed
- Possibility to travel + work
- Often high salaries
- Life-changing experience
Disadvantages
- Strict age limit (30 or 35 years)
- Quotas in some countries (Canada, Argentina)
- Single-use visa non-renewable (except special cases)
- Visa cost (€500-650 in Australia)
- Bank guarantee sometimes required
| Country | Max Age | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 35 years | 1 year (renewable) |
| Canada | 35 years | 2 years |
| New Zealand | 30 years | 1 year |
| Japan | 30 years | 1 year |
| Korea | 30 years | 1 year |
Singapore (18-30 years old) : the same general criteria but the visa lasts 6 months and only costs 40 dollars ! You must be a student in France though ! You need a letter from the university, photocopies of diplomas, be sure to strictly follow this point ! You have 3 months to enter the territory to validate your WHV !
  ;Argentina (18-30 years old) : The general criteria to be respected with 2 points to fulfill.
- Present a medical certificate proving good health
- Have no criminal record
South Korea (18-30 years old) : The general criteria to be respected and also write a motivation letter, and the same two criteria as Argentina.
The classic trap to avoid
Never apply for your WHV without first carefully reading the country’s conditions. Some require a bank guarantee (Australia: 5,000 AUD justifiable) or an impossible one-way return ticket. Anticipate these procedures 2 to 3 months before departure.
- Present a medical certificate proving good health
- Have no criminal record
WHV Working Holiday Program: Enjoy life, it’s short, have fun and live the adventure of your dream! !
  ;
To delve deeper into the subject, the guide on 10 questions to provides additional practical advice. You will also find interesting leads in our article on work info how, and if you are preparing the next part of your trip, the one on adventure in san is right on time.
Which working holiday visa would you like to do ?
The different available jobs are : Jobs abroad
To delve deeper into the subject, the guide on 10 questions to provides additional practical advice. You will also find interesting leads in our article on adventure in san, and if you are preparing the next part of your trip, the one on work info how is right on time.
What is the age limit for a WHV?
30 years for most countries, 35 for Australia and Canada (since 2023).
Which country to choose for a WHV?
Australia for jobs and salaries, Canada for stability, New Zealand for nature, Japan or Korea for culture.
How much does a WHV cost?
Australia: 635 AUD (~400€). Canada: 170 CAD (~115€). New Zealand: 245 NZD (~140€).
