Applying for a French Working Holiday Visa as a Hong Kong national

Why France? For the uniqueness and richness of its culture, architecture, art, gastronomy, among others. You will get a taste of very diverse landscapes with breathtaking scenery ranging from urban to rural.

Thanks to the French Working Holiday Visa, young foreign students can discover France for a whole year while working there. In this article, we will give you all the information you need to apply for a Working Holiday Visa in France.

Important:

Please note that the information you will find in this article is intended for Hong Kong citizens only.

What are the conditions of the Working Holiday Visa in France for Hongkongers?

To benefit from the Working Holiday Visa in France, you need to comply with the following conditions:

1. Your nationality and passport

The WHV agreement between Hong Kong and France is only available to participants holding a valid Hong Kong passport. They also have to be Hong Kong citizens and residents (living in Hong Kong) at the time of application.

The passport must also remain valid for the entire duration of the stay in France — at least 15 months after the date of entry into France. Another important requirement is that the passport has a minimum of two blank pages for two reasons:

• Room for your new visa
• Space for customs to stamp your passport when you arrive and leave France

Good to know:

The process of reissuing a visa is very complicated, so it is recommended that you keep your passport safe once you have received your visa.

2. Your age at the time of application

Hong Kong nationals will need to be at least 18 and no more than 30 years old at the time of their WHV application. This means that Hong Kong nationals will be able to apply for the WHV until the day before their 31st birthday.

3. Mandatory savings/proof of funds

Each participant will have to provide proof of funds showing that they have enough savings to support themselves when they arrive in France. An official bank statement for the last three months should be sufficient.

In the case of Hong Kong, the amount required for each participant is 25,000 Hong Kong dollars — approximately 2,850 euros.

4. The health insurance policy

If insurance is important in everyday life, it might be even more important when you are traveling! In the case of participants moving to France on a WHV, having health insurance that covers illness, hospitalization, repatriation, disability and maternity is compulsory.

For your application to be considered, you will therefore need to prove that you will be covered by a health insurance policy for the entire duration of your stay.

5. Only one participation

As with most WHV agreements around the world, France only offers the WHV visa once to participants. This means that if you have already been to France under this program in the past, you cannot apply again. However, if you have already participated in the Working Holiday Program in another country, this will not be a problem.

6. Purchasing airline tickets

A return air ticket must be purchased by each participant. However, if the participant is unsure of their return date and decides to take a single ticket while waiting to make up their mind, they will have to prove that they have sufficient means to buy a return ticket to their home country. Please note that the HK$25,000 budget requirement mentioned above does not count towards proof of ability to purchase a return ticket — participants will need to prove that they have HK$25,000 (mandatory savings budget) and enough for a return ticket.

7. Validity period

The validity of your working holiday permit is 12 months and is not renewable. Your visa will give you access to the mainland but not overseas territories and departments.

8. A clean criminal record

When applying for the WHV, you will need to produce a clean criminal record.

9. No accompanying persons

When you apply for a working holiday visa, the application applies only to you. Dependents (children, dependants, etc.) will not be considered. If anyone wants to accompany you, they will have to apply for a separate visa.

10. The quota per year

When a WHV agreement is signed between two countries, a quota is usually set up so that the host country can control the number of people entering the territory on that visa.

In the case of the agreement between France and Hong Kong, 750 places are available per year. If you want to be sure of getting a place, it is recommended that you apply at the beginning of the year, as the quota is renewed every year on January 1st.

Read also Work visas for France

What are the procedures for applying for a Working Holiday Visa in France?

To start your WHV application, you must make an appointment online with the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and provide the following documents:

• two completed and signed visa applications;
• your Hong Kong passport, which must be valid for at least 3 months after the visa expiry date;
• two passport-size color photographs on a white background;
• a copy of your identity card;
• the original version of your cover letter;
• a copy of your CV;
• copies of your last three bank statements;
• a one-year health insurance policy covering you from the date of your arrival in France.

Good to know:

Your Working Holiday Visa cannot be issued to you more than 3 months before departure, and the processing time to obtain it can vary from 4 to 6 weeks. Besides, you are not allowed to start your trip less than 3 months after receiving your visa.

Useful address:

Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau:

25/F & 26/F, Tower II, Admiralty Centre,

18 Harcourt Road, Central,

Hong Kong

Things to consider before moving to France on a WHV

1. The cost of living in France

Before traveling to France, it is recommended that you have an idea of the cost of living in order to prepare your budget.

Here is a table that will give you an idea of the cost of living in France - (source Numbeo; as of July 2022):

2. Looking for work in France

Since you are a Hong Konger, we assume that you are fluent in English and maybe even Mandarin. Many French people would be delighted to have an instructor to help them improve their English or Mandarin (or perhaps another language you speak!) This could be a source of income for you in France, as well as allow you to meet new people who could, in turn, teach you something about French culture.

If you want to find a job in France in another field, have a look at Indeed France, France-emploi, Monster or Pôle Emploi.

Read also Working in France

3. Finding temporary or long-term accommodation in France

To make the arrival in France easier and more enjoyable, young Hong Kongers are advised to plan well for your first few weeks in France and find accommodation before they arrive. This will allow you to arrive in France knowing where you will sleep that night and where you can safely stay - giving you real peace of mind.

If you're looking for temporary and inexpensive accommodation options in France, consider youth hostels or couch surfing. HiFrance.org, aubergesdejeunesse.com and couchsurfing.com are platforms that can help you find a place in the areas you want to visit.

If you are looking for long-term accommodation in France, you can have a look at the following websites: Immobilier France, Super Immo, Bien Ici, Logic Immo, Paru Vendu, Se loger, PaP, and Fnaim.

Don't forget to check out Airbnb!

Read also Accommodation in France

4. Learn the French language

Having a notion of French could help you in everyday life in France. It is highly recommended that you learn a minimum of spoken French before going on a WHV in France.

You can find language learning options online or directly on your phone through apps such as Duolingo, Babble, Mondly, HelloTalk, LinguaLift and Memrise!

The administrative steps to take when you arrive in France

1. Your social insurance number

In order to work in France and, of course, receive a salary, it is essential that you have a social security number. The person who employs you is obliged to declare your income, and this number will enable them to do this with the relevant French authorities. You should be aware that this national insurance number will be assigned to you for life.

2. Opening a bank account in France

Unless you intend to walk around with all the money you earn in France (which is not recommended), opening a bank account in France will be necessary. You will need the following documents:

• your passport
• proof of residence (a lease, accommodation certificate or bill)
• Your last three bank statements from the bank in your home country
• Three recent pay slips
• Your tax number (from your home country) and your last two tax notices.

There are many different bank account options in France, but it is recommended that you take out a basic account (a current account) which will be accompanied by a savings book and a card for ATM withdrawals and payments for purchases.

3. Getting a French telephone number

You can buy a French SIM card in supermarkets, bookshops and most tobacconists. Buying a SIM card can also be done online these days — so it's up to you to choose the option that suits you best!

Read also Getting a phone and Internet in France

Good to know:

WHV participants in France used to have to go through a lot of hoops to get a 'provisional work permit' that would allow them to work in the country on arrival. But this has since been abolished. Decree n°2014-921 states that you are allowed to work directly upon arrival. If you meet an employer who is dubious about this, don't hesitate to print out this decree and present it to them.

Useful link:

Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau