Canada working holiday visa for French citizens

This page is for French citizens who want to know about the Working Holiday program in Canada. The program, part of International Experience Canada (IEC), allows you to stay and work for up to 24 months. To be eligible, you must be between 18 and 35 years old.

You will need to show proof of funds of at least CAN$2,500. The fees are a CAN$184.75 IEC fee and a CAN$100 open work permit holder fee. You may also need to pay a CAN$85.00 biometrics fee. You must have health insurance for your entire stay and cannot bring dependants with you.

Passport

France

Age range

18 to 35

Stay

Up to 24 months

Fee

CAN$184.75 IEC fee + CAN$100 open work permit holder fee

Funds

CAN$2,500

Conditions for French citizens

• As a French citizen, you may participate in the Working Holiday only once. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may participate in IEC one more time through the International Co-op (Internship) category. If you participated in IEC only once before 2015, you are eligible for a second participation of up to 24 months in the category of your choice. Those who have already participated in IEC more than once before 2015 are not eligible. French citizens participating in the Volontariat international en entreprise (VIE) program to Canada must apply for their work permit through the IEC program. You must submit your profile to the Young Professionals, with VIE, pool. VIE participations before 2015 do not count as IEC participations.
• Other IEC categories for this passport: International Co-op (Internship), Young Professionals.

General rules of the program

• Usually up to 12 months; some agreements allow up to 23 or 24 months (see the table).
• Open work permit: temporary paid work for almost any employer to help pay for the trip.
• At least CAN$2,500 (or the equivalent) shown on a bank statement, plus a return ticket or money to buy one.
• Health insurance for the whole stay; you may have to show it at the border.
• IEC fee CAN$184.75 plus open work permit holder fee CAN$100.00; biometrics CAN$85.00 if you need to give them.
• You cannot be accompanied by dependants.
• IRCC's profile page said the pools for the 2026 season were closed when we checked on 21 October 2026.

What stands out

For French citizens, participation in the Working Holiday program is generally limited to once. However, if you participated only once before 2015, you may be eligible for a second participation of up to 24 months. Those who have already participated more than once before 2015 are not eligible. French citizens in the Volontariat international en entreprise (VIE) program must apply through the Young Professionals category of IEC.

When this information was checked on October 21, 2026, the official profile page stated that the pools for the 2026 season were closed.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check the IEC page for your country: categories, age range and how long the work permit lasts.
2. Create an IEC profile and enter the pool for your country and category.
3. If you receive an invitation to apply, accept it and submit the work permit application within 20 days.
4. Pay the IEC fee and the open work permit holder fee (and biometrics if asked).
5. Bring proof of funds, insurance and your port of entry letter when you travel.

Other programs open to French citizens

From the programs in this directory. Status is shown only where the official page stated it.

Full list: working holiday visas for French citizens.

All passports for this program: Canada working holiday visa (IEC) by country.