The Hong Kong/France Working Holiday Scheme was established on 1 July 2013 with both sides providing an annual quota of 750. The Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao requires applicants to provide a financial proof of 2,500 Euros for maintenance during their stay in France.
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Successful applicants will be issued a working holiday visa by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao, allowing them to stay in France for up to 12 months. They can take up short-term employment of not more than six months with the same employer and/or enrol in study courses of up to six months during the authorized period of stay. Details and application forms can be obtained from the following website:
http://www.consulfrance-hongkong.org

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Participants are required to take out suitable medical (including repatriation), hospitalisation and/or liability insurance before departure to cover the possible related costs incurred abroad.

Detailed arrangement of the Scheme may vary from time to time. Applicants are advised to check with the Consulate before application.
The official tourism website of France offers information on attractions, events and travel as a whole. It also provides inspiring themed trip ideas to accommodate different travel needs.

Scenic Highlights
Think of France and people will usually think of arts, fashion and romance. As the epicentre of this beautiful country, Paris is the home to some influential architectural and artistic establishments. The magnificent Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral are all available in this "City of Lights".
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Besides Paris, Bordeaux and Lyon are two other popular cities for cultural explorers for they also have lots of fine architecture and well-preserved historic sites. Mont Saint-Michel, an island at the northwest shore in the Normandy region, is also highly welcomed by visitors with its packed and rugged medieval structures.
A lot of the French cities, coming with picturesque scenery composed by chateaux, vineyards and long coastal lines, are perfect for retreats. The South of France, in particular, makes a memorable destination. With a warmer weather, this part of the continent crowned by the well-known city Cannes is full of greens, wildlife, modern arts, beaches and wine.

Dining
Declared by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization as "world intangible heritage", French cuisine is known for its exquisiteness and care for details. Michelin-starred restaurants and top chefs serving haute gourmet are in full supply in the country. Cafe selling traditional Pastisserie like éclair and mille-feuille and fine coffee are local's favourites and can easily be found in market square.
Besides great food, France is also the home to great wine. Wine regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne offer wine-tasting tours that are fulfilling both to the eyes and to the tastebuds.

Map
Check out the map of France with highlighted travel areas at https://uk.france.fr/en/places-to-go

According to the bilateral working holiday scheme established between HKSAR Government and the French Government, working holidaymakers can take up short-term employment of not more than six months with the same employer during their stay in France.
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You are free to apply for a wide range of job options within France according to your working experience and language skills. Some specific occupational requirements may apply.

Know your work rights
Working holidaymakers are protected by the law of France. They should be aware of the relevant labour legislation in France and be cautious in dealing with the terms and conditions laid down in the employment contracts.
The statutory national minimum wage in France is 11.65 EUR per hour in 2024. France also adopts a 35-hour workweek, but individual companies may deviate from the statutory requirement by offering benefits in exchange of extra working hours.
Additional information on relevant labour legislation and protection can be found at the website of the Ministry for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations at http://travail-emploi.gouv.fr/ (French only). Working holidaymakers can also seek assistance from the Ministry for workplace dispute.

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Working Holidaymakers are reminded that information about work conditions and labour laws of the respective host economies provided in this webpage are for reference only and subject to change. For comprehensive and updated information, please refer to the relevant government websites of the respective economies.

According to the bilateral working holiday scheme established between HKSAR Government and the French Government, working holidaymakers can take up study courses of up to six months during their stay in France.
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Learn more about studying in France from https://hongkong.consulfrance.org/Working-Holiday-Scheme-in-FranceStudy-in-France.

France offers a wide range of accommodation to suit your needs and budgets, from holiday cottages, villas and farmhouses to B&B (Bed and Breakfast), rental homes, apartments, youth hostels and hotels.
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Please refer to the following website for details:
https://www.france.fr/en/holiday-prep
https://uk.france.fr/en/holiday-prep/accommodation-france-all-you-need-know
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France's public transportation system is one of the best in the world, making it very easy to travel from one city to another, even the smaller ones.
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Subway/Railway
France is linked via railroad with SNCF – the French national rail system. With 14 SNFC lines and over 300 stations in the Paris region, the rail network is very comprehensive. You can pick up handy materials like regional maps and schedules at the information centre at any train station.

Bus
There are different bus operators in different cities. For example, the bus lines in Paris offer dense coverage of the city centre and the suburbs which is an excellent way to discover the city. Some bus lines also run overnight.

Air
Many major cities in France have an international airport and are also well served by domestic flights, making travel by air affordable and convenient.

Rental Cars
If you have an International Driving Permit, you can drive legally in France. You will be able to rent a car at each airport and in most train stations in the country.
For more information about travelling in France, please visit the following websites:
https://www.france.fr/en/holiday-prep/renting-car-and-driving-france
https://www.france.fr/en/holiday-prep

France has the benefit of a temperate climate. Continental France is divided into four climatic zones:
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  1. Oceanic and humid climate with often cool summers to the west from Bayonne to Lille;

  2. Semi-continental climate with harsh winters and hot summers in Alsace, Lorraine, along the Rhône corridor and in the mountainous massifs (Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central);

  3. Intermediate climate with cold winters and hot summers in the north, in Paris and central regions;

  4. Mediterranean climate with mild winters and very hot summers in southern France.
Learn more about the climate in France at
https://www.france.fr/en/holiday-prep/geography-and-climate.
The official weather forecast can be found at http://www.meteo.fr (French only).

Here we have gathered a number of hands-on tips to facilitate your trip planning and settling in France. If you have done a working holiday in France and have a tip or two to share, please email your thoughts to whsu@labour.gov.hk!
To open a bank account, you have to prepare all the documents needed and visit the appropriate branch. Not all staff would be well-aware of what a working holiday visa is, so to avoid rejection you may print out relevant information and explain to them if necessary
Alex Lai (2015-2016)
  • You need to know some basic French to look for a job in France, otherwise you could only work for Chinese employers
  • Get a SIM card from local mobile operator. Mobile data is not cheap in France but SIM card offers unlimited SMS, so people usually contact each other by text messages!
Louis Lam (2014-2015)
  • In France, people usually rent a room instead of an apartment, as it is more flexible and easier. The best way to search for one is from the Internet
  • Looking for cheaper means to travel between cities? Check whether you are eligible to apply for rail card, keep an eye on train or flight promotion, and also consider carpooling
Louis Lam (2014-2015)
  • If you ask French people questions in English, they may think that you are very impolite
  • You do not need to bring too much clothes to France, because clothes available in France which suit local weather are not expensive at all
查理 (2013-2014)
Consider buying a car if you have the money to spend and there is a need (e.g. work place is far away), but it is not a must as transportation in France is quite convenient. Be reminded that most cars in France are manual transmissions
Samuel Wu (2014-2015)
Useful terms in French:
  • Covoiturage = hitch hiking
  • Colocation = flat sharing
  • SMIC = minimum wage in France
  • Chèque Déjeuner = meal vouchers given by the employers; redeemable at designated restaurants
Samuel Wu (2014-2015)

Note: The useful tips provided in this webpage are the authors' own opinions and for reference only. Working holidaymakers are advised to research thoroughly and check up for updated and verified information before departure.

Emergency Hotline in France
Police, Fire & Ambulance
Telephone: 112

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services
24-hour Hotline: (8610) 12308

Immigration Department of the HKSAR
Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit
24-hour Hotline: (852) 1868

Labour Department of the HKSAR
General Enquiries - Working Holiday Scheme
Email: whsu@labour.gov.hk