France

Working Holiday 2013

This category is designed for French youth wishing to go to Canada for tourism and cultural discovery purposes, while being authorised to work to supplement their financial resources (12 months).

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In 2013, the Embassy of Canada in France is continuing its pilot project that allows electronic tracking of applications.

To submit an application to the International Experience Canada (IEC) initiative, you must download an application kit by following the instructions outlined on this page.

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The 2013 "Working Holiday" (WHP) category is now closed.

Please note that we will not accept any applications mailed after Friday November 9th, 2012 (as attested by the postal mark). Please ensure that the mailing date is clearly and lisibly indicated.

No waiting list will be established. The information regarding the opening of the 2014 "Working Holiday" (WHP) category will be posted on this page in Fall 2013.

We thank you for your interest in Canada.

Eligibility Criteria

You must:

• be between the ages of 18 and 35 inclusive on the date the application is received;
• be a French citizen and habitually reside in France (France, the French overseas departments and St. Pierre and Miquelon only);
• hold a valid French passport (validity must exceed stay in Canada by one day);
• not have previously participated in this category, nor have already participated twice in the IEC initiative with France;
• possess sufficient funds to cover your expenses in Canada for the first 3 months of your stay (700€/$1 000 CAD per month);
• pay the participation fee that is equivalent to $150 CAD in Euros; and
• be prepared to take out health-care/hospitalisation/repatriation insurance for the duration of your stay – you may have to present evidence of this insurance when you enter Canada.

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Required Documents

1. Download Certificate

Download, print and attach this certificate as the cover page of your application.
You will obtain this certificate by clicking on the link provided in the email giving you access to your personalised application kit.

2. 1 Copy of the 2-page IEC Application Form

Save this 2-page IEC application form on your computer. Then, complete it on the screen and print one copy. Finally, do not forget to sign and date this form.
This document must include your original signature.
The signature on your IEC application form must correspond to the one in your passport. No one else can sign this form on your behalf.

3. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Forms:

• Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295), 5-page form when completed
• Family Information (IMM 5645), 2-page form

You will have access to these CIC forms by downloading the IEC application kit.

4. Declaration Form

Read carefully. Duly complete all boxes, sign and date. This document must include your original signature.
The signature on your declaration form must correspond to the one in your passport. No one else can sign this form on your behalf.

5. Medical Declaration Form

Read carefully and check the appropriate box at the bottom of the form. Please include this form in your application.

6. 2 Identity Photos

Staple (do not glue) the 2 photos to the CIC “Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada” (IMM 1295) form, in the bottom left-hand corner of the first page (in the section marked FOR OFFICE USE ONLY – DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE).
These photos must conform to the specifications set out by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

7. Photocopy of the Identification Pages of your Passport

This photocopy must clearly show your first and last names, date and place of birth, passport issuance and expiry dates as well as your signature.
At the time your application is received at the Youth Mobility Unit, your passport must be valid for a minimum of 12 months plus the processing time posted on our website. If you need to renew your passport in order to meet this requirement, you must do so before submitting your application. Do not send your original passport.

Please note that the work permit issued at the point of entry cannot extend past your passport validity. Consequently, if you wish to obtain a work permit for the maximum length of 12 months, at the time of entering Canada you must ensure that your passport is valid for at least one day beyond the date of your stay in Canada.

8. Proof of Funds

You must prove that you have sufficient financial resources to cover your expenses for the first 3 months of your stay in Canada (700€/$1 000 CAD per month). All funds must be readily available (i.e. not savings accounts in which funds are locked, shares/stocks, bonds, etc.).

a) If you possess the funds, you must provide the following:

(1) “Proof of Funds – Candidate” form included in the application kit, or a bank document incorporating the information on the "Proof of Funds - Candidate" form, signed, dated and stamped by your bank.

Or

b) If a third party is providing the funds (i.e. a family member, legal guardian, etc.), you must include the following three documents:

(1)  the “Proof of Funds – Third Party” form found in the application kit, or a bank document incorporating the information on the “Proof of Funds – Third Party” form, signed, dated and stamped by the third party's bank.
If you submit a document from a third party’s bank, this document must stipulate that the third party has the financial capacity to cover your expenses in the amount of 700€ or $1 000 CAD per month, for the duration of your stay in Canada;

(2)  the letter of financial support found in the application kit duly completed, or a letter signed by the third party, stating that he/she commits to being financially responsible for you during your internship/on-the-job training placement in; and

(3)  a photocopy of the third party's  identity document (ID), such as a valid national identity card or the identification pages of a valid passport. This identity document (ID) must show his/her signature.

The proof of funds document and letter must have been issued within the last 3 months. Legible photocopies are accepted. Keep an extra copy of these documents, as you may be asked to present them upon your arrival in Canada.

9. Complete and Up-To-Date Curriculum Vitae (CV)

You must list your entire work history as well as all of your study experiences, including the degree or diploma you are currently completing, if necessary. For each of your professional and study experiences, please specify:

• dates (mm-yyyy)
• locations (city, country)

All periods of time must be accounted for (i.e. travel, sabbatical year, unemployment, etc.).

Please list the official titles of your degrees, diplomas, and certificates (avoid translating them).

10. Cover Letter

11. Checklist

Verify that all the required documents are assembled in the proper order. Include the checklist with your application.

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Participation Fee

The payment of the participation fee will only apply to candidates who submit applications that meet all of the IEC eligibility criteria. Consequently, it will be requested only after the Youth Mobility Unit (YMU) has examined your application.

If your application meets the IEC eligibility criteria, you will receive a conditional acceptance email. In this message, you will be asked to pay the participation fee by wire transfer. The fee amount in Euros as well as the bank coordinates of the account to which the payment must be made will be sent in your conditional acceptance email. Only the Euro amount indicated in that message will be accepted as it will correspond to the Canadian dollar exchange rate on the day of the conditional acceptance. You must not make this payment before receiving a conditional acceptance email from the Youth Mobility Unit. If you make the payment before you have received the conditional acceptance email, your application will be rejected on grounds of non-compliance.

Additional information concerning the fee payment process will be provided in the conditional acceptance email.

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Sending In Your Application

Mail the complete application to:

Applications will only be accepted by post. Applications that are sent by fax, email or delivered in person will be refused and returned without being examined.

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Evaluation Process

You will be kept up to date on the status of your application by email, from the time it is received at the Youth Mobility Unit (YMU) to the completion of its evaluation. Your application will be examined in two phases: first, by the Youth Mobility Unit and then by the Visa and Immigration Section (VIS). If your application is accepted at the end of this process, you will receive a Letter of Introduction authorising your stay in Canada.

1. Youth Mobility Unit (YMU)

Upon reception of your application by post at the YMU,you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your file. Please be aware that this message is generated by an automated system. If you use an anti-spam filter, please make sure that your system is configured to authorise the following sender (i.e. by adding it to your contact list):

• eic-iec.e-tracking-noreply@ambassadeducanadaeic.net

.

The YMU will examine your application in accordance with the instructions outlined above and the provisions of the Canada-France Agreement Concerning Youth Exchanges.

• If your application is accepted by the YMU:

You will receive a conditional acceptance email from us asking you to pay the participation fee by wire transfer.

The fee amount as well as the bank coordinates of the account to which the payment must be made will be sent to you in this conditional acceptance email. You will have ten (10) days to make the wire transfer and upload your proof of payment via our secure online form; otherwise, your application will automatically be rejected on grounds of non-payment. Additional information regarding the payment process will be provided in the conditional acceptance email.

After receipt of your proof of payment, you will receive an email from us confirming that your proof of payment has been received. We will then undertake a final verification of your file.

If everything is in order, you will receive an email informing you that the first evaluation phase has been completed. Your application will then be forwarded to the Visa and Immigration Section for the second evaluation phase.

• If your application is rejected by the YMU:

You will receive an email explaining the reason(s) for the refusal.

If you wish to reapply to IEC, you must download a new application kit as your previous one will no longer be valid.

Reminder: All incomplete or non-compliant applications will be rejected.

2. Visa and Immigration Section (VIS)

The Visa and Immigration Section will examine your application in accordance with Canadian immigration law and regulations.

• If your application is accepted by the VIS:

You will receive a Letter of Introduction at the email address that you provided on your IMM 1295 form. (No paper copy will be sent.) This letter is not a passport or a travel document allowing you to enter or to stay in Canada. This document indicates that your application for a work permit has been approved. You will not receive any other documents.
If you use an anti-spam filter, please configure it to accept messages from the following addresses (i.e. by adding them to your contact list):

• eic-iec.e-tracking-noreply@ambassadeducanadaeic.net;
• paris-im.visiteur@international.gc.ca; and
• Client-update-mise-a-jour@cic.gc.ca.

Please also check your spam or junk folders to ensure that messages haven’t been filtered out.

• If your application is rejected by the VIS:

You will receive a letter by post explaining the reason(s) for the refusal and a reimbursement process will automatically be triggered within the YMU.

You will receive an email informing you that the YMU has initiated this reimbursement process.

You will receive a final email notifying you of its completion.


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Processing Time

The processing time that applies to your file is the one indicated in the email acknowledging receipt of your application at the Youth Mobility Unit. More information on the processing time is available on the Processing Time page.

Due to the high number of applications received, we will not respond to any questions regarding your file during the processing period.

In the event that you have not received an email or letter informing you of the Embassy’s decision after the total processing time indicated in the Acknowledgement of Receipt email has passed, you may inform us of this situation by completing the form available on the Processing Time page.

This form is to be used ONLY in this situation.

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Insurance

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) requires that all participants in the International Experience Canada (IEC) initiative have comprehensive health care and repatriation insurance upon their arrival in Canada. This insurance must be valid for the entire duration of the work permit.

In Canada, the health care and social security systems vary by province and territory. The Practical Information page will help you know your rights.

The insurance policy that you buy must:

• covers health care/hospitalisation/repatriation;
• be valid for all of Canada (North America, Canada/USA or worldwide coverage); and
• be valid for the duration of your work permit in Canada.

You are strongly advised against buying an insurance policy until you receive your Letter of Introduction.

You must present your proof of comprehensive insurance coverage (health care/hospitalisation/repatriation) to officials upon your arrival in Canada.

Please note that the Embassy of Canada does not have information regarding insurance policies or providers.

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Formalities at the Point Of Entry (Customs)

Your work permit will be issued at the point of entry to Canada upon presentation of the following documents:

Letter of Introduction,

passport

proof of insurance, and

proof of sufficient financial resources (i.e. proof of funds or bank statement issued within the last 3 months).

Your Letter of Introduction will be valid for 12 months from its date of issue. It will indicate the deadline before which you must present yourself at a Canadian point of entry in order to obtain your work permit.

Upon presentation of the above documents, you will be given an “open” work permit valid for 12 months. This means that when in Canada, you will be authorised to change jobs or employers freely within that 12-month period. (Note: If you receive your Letter of Introduction before the 1st of January 2013, it will be valid from January 1st 2013 to December 31st 2013. You will therefore have to present this letter at a Canadian port of entry between these dates.)

We remind you that the work permit issued at the point of entry cannot extend past your passport validity. Consequently, if you wish to obtain a work permit for the maximum length of 12 months, when entering Canada you must ensure that your passport is valid for this period plus one day.

Before leaving the point of entry, verify that all the information on your work permit is correct (i.e. permit expiry date, mention "Open", etc.).

You may enter and exit Canada during the validity period of your work permit.

If you plan to travel to another country, you must ensure that you meet the entrance requirements of the country you plan to visit.

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Download an Application Kit

If you would like to participate in this category, you must follow the three steps outlined below in order to create your personalised application kit:

• Step 1: Provide and confirm your email address. (This address will be used during the entire evaluation process at the YMU.);
• Step 2: Complete the online personal information form;
• Step 3: Download your personalised application kit.

After following the steps above, you will have all of the information and documents necessary to complete your application and send it to the Embassy by post.

Registering online is the ONLY way to access a personalised application kit.

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Reimbursement Policy

The program participation fee will be refunded if:

• your application is not accepted because it was not completed or was not completed correctly;
• you do not meet the eligibility criteria for participating in International Experience Canada;
• your application for a work permit is refused by Citizenship and Immigration Canada;
• the category you applied for is full and International Experience Canada cannot take any more participants this year; or,
• you voluntarily withdraw your application before Citizenship and Immigration Canada issues your Letter of Introduction.

Your participation fee will not be refunded if:

• The Letter of Introduction has been issued: Once your application has been approved and the Letter of Introduction sent, you will be assigned one of the spaces available under International Experience Canada. Your participation fee will not be refunded from that point on, even if you decide not to come to Canada.
• You have misrepresented facts on your application: If your application contains false information, it will automatically be refused, and your participation fee will not be refunded.

WARNING: Inadmissibility for Misrepresentation

All applicants are legally required to be truthful and disclose all relevant information with their applications. Applicants who submit an application package that contains misrepresented information, knowingly or unknowingly, will be denied entry to Canada and may also be banned from travelling to Canada. The details of the misrepresentation will remain permanently on record with Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency. For more information on misrepresentation, please visit: Document Fraud/Misrepresentation.

Please note: The participation fee is not transferable under any circumstance, whether from person to person or from year to year.

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Canada-France Youth Mobility Agreement

You can download the Youth Mobility Agreement here | PDF ^* (1.1 Mo)

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Questions?

If you have any questions about the International Experience Canada (IEC) initiative, please consult the FAQ section.

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* If you require a plug-in or a third-party software to view this file, please visit the alternative formats section of our help page .