A One-Year Adventure: The PVT Visa Between France and Canada

Many young French people dream of living abroad for a year. One popular way to do this is through the PVT (Programme Vacances-Travail), also called the Working Holiday Visa. This agreement between France and Canada allows young people aged 18 to 35 to live and work in Canada for up to one year.

Every year, thousands of French young adults apply for the PVT to discover Canadian culture, improve their English, and gain professional experience. With this visa, participants can travel across Canada and work in different types of jobs to support themselves financially. Many choose to live in cities like Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver.

However, getting a PVT is not automatic. Candidates must enter an online selection system. Because there are many applicants and limited places, some people are not selected immediately. It can be stressful to wait for an invitation. Once selected, participants must prepare important documents, buy health insurance, and prove they have enough savings before leaving France.

For many young people, the PVT is a life-changing experience. They learn independence, discover new cultures, and sometimes even decide to stay longer in Canada. Although moving abroad can be scary, it can also be exciting and unforgettable.

2. ABSOLUTE CHALLENGES: Rank these. Put the biggest challenges at the top and explain why they would be difficult for you.

· Leaving your family for one year

· Speaking English every day

· Finding a job in Canada

· Canadian winter (-20°C!)

· Sharing a flat with strangers

· Managing money carefully

· Doing administrative paperwork

· Feeling homesick

3. PERSONAL REFLECTION PAIRS

  1. Would you like to live in Canada for one year? Why / Why not?

  2. What job would you like to do in Canada?

  3. Are you independent? Give an example.

  4. What would you miss most about France?

4. Divisive Destination:

Choose one Canadian city and explain why some people love it and others don’t:

  1. Montreal

  2. Toronto

  3. Vancouver

  4. Another Canadian city

5. Discussion – The PVT Experience

Why do so many French young people choose Canada?
Is it better to travel or to work during a gap year?
What problems could PVT participants face?
Do you think one year is enough?
Would you prefer to go alone or with a friend?
How can living abroad change a person?
Is Canada very different from France?
What stereotypes do people have about Canada?
Do you think the selection system is fair?
What qualities do you need to succeed abroad?

6. ROLE PLAY :  You are having an Interview with an Immigration Officer: 

“Why should Canada accept you?”
“How will you support yourself financially?”
“What will you do if you cannot find a job?”
“What makes you different from other candidates?”

The Parent expresses emotion.
The Friend shares positive experiences.
The Career Advisor explains the benefits of international mobility.

7. Vocabulary Match 

Word | Definition

  1. Working Holiday Visa | a. A strong feeling of missing your country and relatives

  2. applicant | b. A legal authorisation to stay and earn money for a limited period

  3. savings | c. A person who officially requests something

  4. selection system | d. Financial resources kept for future needs

  5. homesick | e. Administrative forms and official written requirements

  6. paperwork | f. A competitive process used to choose participants

  7. life-changing | g. Capable of supporting yourself without help

  8. independence | h. An experience that produces a major personal transformation

  9. applicant pool   | i. Related to money matters

  10. financially  | j. A group of people applying for the same opportunity

Extra definitions (NOT needed):
k. A permanent work contract
l. A tourist activity organised by a company

8. Synonym Match  

Match each word from the text with the closest synonym. Some synonyms may seem similar — choose carefully.

  1. applicant —
    a. competitor
    b. candidate
    c. employee

  2. savings —
    a. income
    b. capital
    c. expenses

  3. homesick —
    a. nostalgic
    b. lonely
    c. depressed

  4. independence —
    a. autonomy
    b. isolation
    c. confidence

  5. paperwork —
    a. bureaucracy
    b. essays
    c. contracts

  6. life-changing —
    a. temporary
    b. transformative
    c. educational

  7. selection system —
    a. lottery
    b. recruitment procedure
    c. interview

  8. experience —
    a. skill
    b. adventure
    c. knowledge

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