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French work and holiday visa for Colombians: Complete guide
Did you know there’s a French Work and Holiday visa for Colombians? Here we explain everything you need to know about this visa.
Colombian citizens have the opportunity to apply for the French Working Holiday Visa, which lets you travel and work to cover your stay in Europe. However, you must meet certain requirements to get it.
Here you’ll find every requirement you’ll need when applying for this visa. It’s important to follow each step carefully so you can manage the process smoothly and avoid mistakes.
We’ll explain what this visa involves, how long it lasts, and the specific requirements to apply. Finally, you’ll find a list of prices and expenses you’ll need to cover to get the French Working Holiday Visa.
What working holiday visas does France offer to Colombians?
France offers only one visa that allows Colombian citizens like you to travel mainly for holidays, while also working to support your travel expenses.
Thanks to bilateral agreements between Colombia and France, you can now apply for this visa easily. You just need to meet a few requirements that we’ll detail below, along with the step-by-step process.
VVT Visa (Working Holiday Visa)
This visa is known as the Working Holiday or Holiday and Work visa. It allows you to travel from Colombia to France as a tourist and worker for up to 12 months.
It’s also a long-stay visa with 400 annual spots designed for cultural exchange. You may take short educational or work experiences, but these aren’t the main reason for granting this visa.
Who is this visa for?
This visa is aimed at Colombian citizens aged between 18 and 30. That means being within this age range is mandatory. You must also intend to spend holidays in France, which you prove by meeting the following requirements.
Requirements and documentation
- Book your appointment online: It must be personal and can only be done once in your lifetime. Appointments are assigned in chronological order.
- Attend the appointment in person and bring all documents to the French Embassy in Colombia, located at Cra. 11 #93-12, Bogotá.
- Two biometric photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm) with a grey or light blue background. Attach one to the form and keep the other separate.
- Original passport and a copy: It must have been issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least three months after leaving France or the Schengen area, and have two blank pages for stamps.
- Medical certificate: Issued by an authorised doctor in Colombia confirming your good physical and mental health, plus your vaccination record.
- Criminal record certificates: From both the police and the attorney general’s office, printed copies.
- Medical insurance: Must cover medical and funeral repatriation, emergencies, accidents, and illnesses for up to one year.
- Return flight ticket: The return date to Colombia must be at least nine months after your departure.
- Proof of financial funds: Provide your own bank statements (co-signers aren’t accepted) from the last six months, showing at least $2,700 (€2,500).
Steps to obtain the French Working Holiday Visa for Colombians
There are only a few steps to get your Working Holiday Visa. However, it’s important to follow them carefully so your process runs smoothly and increases your chances of success. Let’s start with these seven steps:
1. Check if you’re eligible for the Working Holiday Visa
The first thing you must check is whether your age and funds meet the requirements, along with the other criteria. Once ready, continue with your application.
2. Create an account and fill in the form
If you’re eligible, create an account on the France-Visas website and complete the form with your personal and travel information. Finally, download the form and the confirmation QR code.
3. Book your appointment
Through the French Embassy in Colombia website, schedule your appointment within the established dates. For 2025 and every year, applications open in March.
Keep in mind that you must book the appointment yourself. If the system detects someone else booking for you, it’ll block you immediately and you’ll never be able to apply again.
4. Prepare all your documents
Gather all the documents mentioned above, check that every detail is correct and that the printed copies are clear. If unsure about which documents need translation into English or French, contact the embassy for confirmation. Don’t assume anything.
5. Attend your appointment
On the appointment day, arrive on time with every document ready. Your fingerprints and biometric photos will be taken that day. You’ll also receive a case number, and you won’t pay any visa fee because this visa type is completely free.
6. Track your application
To know your final result, go to the embassy website and check your case number to see if your visa was approved.
Once approved, your passport will include a type D visa (long stay) called “vacances-travail“, showing that you’ll travel to France for both holidays and work.
7. Travel to France
All done! You can start your holidays and job search in France. Remember, this visa lasts for up to one year from approval and it’s not renewable.
Internet while you work, rest, or study in France
Having an internet connection from the moment you arrive in France is essential. You’ll need it to find your location in the city, translate some words you won’t understand at first, book transport, or contact your friends and family in Colombia to tell them you’ve arrived safely.
That’s why we recommend getting one of the Holafly monthly eSIM subscription plans, which include from 25 GB up to unlimited data. You can share your connection with other devices, and they offer coverage in over 160 countries.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Costs and expenses for obtaining the French Working Holiday Visa for Colombians
The costs to apply for this visa are minimal because the process itself is free and has no consular fees. However, you should plan for basic expenses like copies, printing, transport to the French Embassy in Bogotá, and translation of official documents.
Let’s see what those costs might be and how much budget you should prepare:
- Delivery or courier of your passport if you can’t collect it in person: The fee in Bogotá is around $10.00 (€9.20). In other regions, it can exceed $15.50 (€14.30), depending on the courier company.
- Mandatory medical insurance: Costs vary by provider, but typically range between $665.00–885.00 (€612.00–814.00) per year.
- Flight from Colombia to France: Airfares depend on the travel season but usually range between $885.00–1,330.00 (€814.00–1,224.00)..
- Proof of funds: When applying, you must show enough money to cover part of your stay. The amount is $2,500.00 (€2,300.00).
- Copies and printing: This depends on the number of documents required, but expect to spend around $4.50 (€4.10).
- Official translations: Prices vary, but you can expect to pay between $6.65–8.85 (€6.10–8.15) per page.
- Transport to the French Embassy in Bogotá: If you’re in Bogotá, expect to spend around $1.55 (€1.40). If travelling from another city, costs may exceed $22.20 (€20.40).
Frequently asked questions about the French Working Holiday Visa for Colombians
Yes, but remember it’s not the main purpose of this visa. If you enrol in a course, it can’t be higher education or specialisation. You also can’t do professional internships or extend your stay beyond the visa period.
According to the French Embassy in Colombia, the processing time is between 10 and 21 working days.
Yes, you can work in your profession with the Working Holiday Visa in France. However, note that your professional activity is considered secondary, meaning you shouldn’t focus solely on work. This visa mainly promotes cultural exchange that allows you to work to fund your trip.
No, the Working Holiday Visa can only be requested once in your lifetime, even if it was rejected or granted and unused.
No, the Working Holiday Visa lets you start working as soon as you arrive in France. You already have all the required permissions to sign a contract and access standard labour rights in the country.
