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Canada Working Holiday Visa
for French citizens

Visa snapshot

Government verified · 10 June 2026

Age

18-35

At application

Initial stay

24 mo

From grant

Max stay

24 mo

With extensions

Visa fee

$184.75

CAD

Levy / extra cost: Open work permit holder fee CAD 100 + biometrics CAD 85 if required (typical total CAD 284.75-369.75)
Funds required: CAD 2,500 (bank statement issued within 1 week of departure; covers first 3 months) + round-trip ticket or funds for departure ticket
Work rights: Open work permit - work for most employers anywhere in Canada (jobs in health services, child care, primary/secondary education, eldercare require a medical exam).
Study rights: Individual courses up to 6 months; longer study needs a study permit
Extensions: Available, conditions apply
Reciprocal healthcare: No; Private health insurance needed
Quota / ballot: 2026 WH quota 5,661; pool 15,942 candidates (5 Jun 2026) - heavily oversubscribed; No ballot · ~185 spots left
Health & insurance: Must meet Canadian health requirements; Health and insurance details →

Government sourceSource: canada.ca · Verified 10 June 2026 · How we verify →

Dual nationals

Hold a second passport?

Pool entered under your passport's country agreement - dual nationals can choose the more favourable citizenship (different quota/length/participation rules).

The detail

Eligibility & conditions

Who can apply

Passport valid for full stay (permit cannot outlast passport). Health insurance (medical + hospitalisation + repatriation) mandatory for entire stay - permit shortened to insurance validity, no later change possible. Not inadmissible. No dependants accompanying.

General conditions

Pool + Invitation to Apply (ITA) system with rounds of invitations - NOT first-come. One IEC permit per season. Health insurance (medical care + hospitalisation + repatriation) mandatory for full stay - permit shortened to insurance validity. Round-trip ticket or funds for departure. Participation counts only once you arrive and the permit is issued.

Second year extension

No in-country extension of WH permit. Some countries allow a 2nd participation (UK: 2nd of 12mo; Japan: 2nd of 12mo since 1 Apr 2025; Korea: 2nd of 24mo; Germany: 2nd in a different category; AU/NZ/IE/FR: WH once).

Application

How to apply

Check your eligibility

Make sure you meet all requirements including the age limit of 18-35 and hold a valid French passport.

Gather your documents

You will need your passport, a recent photo, health insurance details, and proof of sufficient funds.

Apply online

Submit your application through the official government portal. The fee is $184.75 and is non-refundable.

Wait for a decision

Processing typically takes 2-8 weeks. Most applications are decided within days.

Ready to apply?

Apply on the official government portal

Applications are submitted through the Canadian Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 2-8 weeks.

Apply Now →

You will be taken to the official Canadian Government website.

Before you go

Get set up for Canada

Banking

Open a local account soon after you arrive in Canada so you can get paid and skip foreign-card fees. Most banks let you start the application online before you land.