International mobility programmes (Erasmus+, Working Holiday Visa, VIE, Fulbright) enable tens of thousands of French nationals to study, work or travel abroad every year. Each one suits a different profile and project: here is how to choose the right scheme for your situation, with the exact eligibility criteria currently in force.
Erasmus+: Study or Intern in Europe
Launched in 1987, Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship programme for educational mobility. It is open to students (from the second year of undergraduate study onwards), interns, apprentices, teachers and trainers enrolled at an accredited institution.
Duration, Grant and Eligibility
- Duration: 2 to 12 months per study cycle (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate), with one participation allowed per cycle.
- Monthly grant: between 300 and approximately 700 euros, depending on the destination country and type of mobility (academic study or work placement).
- Eligibility: enrolment at an Erasmus+-accredited institution, completion of at least one year of undergraduate study, and selection by your institution’s international relations office.
Applications are submitted through your university, ideally 6 to 12 months before departure. The Erasmus+ grant can be combined with other financial support, including the International Mobility Grant (Aide à la Mobilité Internationale, AMI) of 400 euros/month, reserved for grant holders on social criteria.
Fulbright: The Benchmark Franco-American Exchange
Administered in France since 1948 by the Franco-American Commission for Educational Exchange, the Fulbright programme funds study, research and teaching exchanges between the United States and more than 140 countries.
It primarily targets master’s and doctoral students as well as researchers wishing to carry out a project in the United States (or to host an American researcher in France). Grants cover all or part of tuition and living costs. Selection is competitive: applications for a given academic year typically open 12 to 18 months in advance. Consult the Franco-American Commission for details on which grant categories are open each year.
VIE: Work Abroad for a French Company
The Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE) is a scheme managed by Business France. It enables nationals of the European Union or the European Economic Area aged 18 to 28 (departure must take place before the 29th birthday) to carry out a professional assignment abroad within a French company.
Conditions and Remuneration
- Duration: 6 to 24 months, renewable once within that limit.
- Allowance: a standard allowance of 772.87 euros/month, supplemented by a variable geographical allowance depending on the country of assignment.
- Status: no standard employment contract; the VIE operates under a specific legal status that grants access to social protection.
- Other requirements: a clean criminal record and compliance with national service obligations.
The VIE is a career accelerator widely recognised by employers: many volunteers are offered a permanent position at the end of their assignment. Available placements are listed on the official Mon-VIE-VIA platform managed by Business France.
Insure my stay abroadWorking Holiday Visa: Travel and Work Outside Europe
The Working Holiday Visa (WHV), known in France as the Programme Vacances-Travail (PVT), is a bilateral agreement allowing a working stay of up to 12 months in the partner country. It is one of the most popular options for funding a long trip while gaining real professional experience abroad.
15 Destinations Open to French Nationals
France has signed Working Holiday agreements with 15 countries and territories: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Taiwan and Uruguay.
For Asian destinations that have no Working Holiday agreement with France, such as Thailand, other visa options are available: Thailand’s Destination Visa (DTV) is specifically designed for extended stays.
Eligibility and Quotas
- Age: 18 to 30 at the date of application; raised to 35 for Argentina, Australia and Canada.
- Financial resources: around 2,500 euros minimum (the exact amount is set out in each bilateral agreement).
- Annual quotas: places are limited in most countries. Canada offers 7,000 places per year; Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay offer just 300 each.
- Duration and renewal: the visa is valid for a maximum of 12 months and cannot be extended. Each agreement can only be used once per country.
- Compulsory health insurance: all Working Holiday agreements require cover for illness, hospitalisation and repatriation for the full duration of the stay.
Applications are submitted to the embassy or consulate of the destination country in France, except for Australia and Chile, where the entire process is handled online.
Travel Insurance: Often a Mandatory Requirement
For the Working Holiday Visa, health cover is a formal obligation imposed by the bilateral agreements: without proof of insurance, the visa may be refused or the stay cut short. For the VIE, Business France provides basic cover, but this may prove insufficient depending on the country and length of the assignment. For Erasmus+, requirements vary considerably depending on the destination (EU countries covered by the European Health Insurance Card, or non-EU countries with no automatic cover).
In all cases, make sure your policy explicitly covers actual medical costs in the host country, hospitalisation, medical repatriation and early return in the event of a family emergency.
FAQ
Can I combine the Erasmus+ grant with other financial support?
Yes. The Erasmus+ grant can be combined with the International Mobility Grant (AMI, 400 euros/month for grant holders on social criteria) as well as with regional funding. The exact rules for combining these vary depending on the schemes involved: check with your institution’s international relations office for details.
What is the difference between a Working Holiday Visa and a student visa?
A Working Holiday Visa is not a study visa. It allows you to work freely in the host country, with no restrictions on sector or working hours, while also travelling. A student visa requires enrolment at an educational institution and generally limits your right to work.
Is the VIE only open to French nationals?
No. The VIE is open to all nationals of the European Union and the European Economic Area, provided they are between 18 and 28 years old and meet the other legal requirements.
Do I need to speak the local language to get a Working Holiday Visa?
No minimum language level is formally required to obtain the visa. In practice, a working knowledge of the country’s main language will make professional integration and administrative procedures considerably easier once you arrive.
Does Fulbright only fund academic studies?
No. The Fulbright programme also includes grants for research projects and teacher exchanges. Several grant categories exist depending on your profile (student, researcher, teacher). Application windows vary by category; consult the Franco-American Commission directly for current dates.
Is insurance compulsory for all programmes?
It is a formal requirement for the Working Holiday Visa, as stipulated in the bilateral agreements. For other programmes, it is strongly recommended and may be requested as part of the application process. Always check the specific requirements of your programme and destination country.
