WHY ARE SO MANY YOUNG FRENCH PEOPLE CHOOSING QUEBEC?

 For many young people in France, spending a year or two in Québec is more than just a holiday. It can be an opportunity to work, improve their English, experience North American culture and become more independent.

The PVT, or Permis Vacances-Travail, is part of Canada's International Experience Canada (IEC) programme. It allows eligible young French citizens to live and work temporarily in Canada. Unlike a normal tourist visa, the Working Holiday permit gives participants much greater freedom to work while travelling. Canada describes the programme as a way for young people to gain international work experience, improve language skills and help finance their trip.

For French people, Québec has a particular attraction. French is the main language of everyday life, so newcomers can arrive without facing the same language barrier they might experience in Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary. At the same time, Québec offers a very different environment from France. Montréal combines European influences with North American architecture, lifestyles and working culture, while the province offers enormous natural spaces, forests, lakes and winter landscapes.

The cultural connection is also important. France and Québec share a language and many historical links, but life in Québec is not simply a copy of life in France. Young French people can therefore experience something that feels both familiar and foreign at the same time.

The procedure begins online. A French applicant first checks their eligibility and creates an IEC profile. They then enter the appropriate pool and wait for an invitation to apply. Being in the pool does not mean that the person has already applied for a work permit. They can only submit the full application after receiving an invitation.

Once invited, the applicant has a limited period to begin and complete the application. They must provide the required documents, pay the relevant fees and, if requested, give their biometrics. Successful applicants receive a Port of Entry Letter, which they use when they arrive in Canada to obtain their work permit.

One of the biggest advantages of the PVT is flexibility. A Working Holiday permit is an open work permit, meaning participants do not need to have a specific employer before travelling to Canada. This allows them to look for work after arriving and potentially change jobs during their stay.

This flexibility is particularly attractive to young adults who are unsure about their long-term plans. Someone might arrive in Montréal, work in a restaurant, then move to a ski resort in the Laurentians, spend several months travelling or later look for a job connected to their professional experience.

The experience can also strengthen a person's CV. International work experience can demonstrate independence, adaptability and the ability to function in a different professional environment. For young French people who want to improve their English, living in a bilingual environment can provide an additional opportunity to practise both languages.

However, the PVT also has important disadvantages. Canada is expensive, particularly in major cities such as Montréal. Rent, food, transport and other everyday expenses can quickly consume a young worker's salary. Finding reasonably priced accommodation can be difficult, especially when many newcomers arrive at the same time.

The weather can also be a challenge. Someone arriving from southern or western France may not be prepared for Québec's long, cold winters. Temperatures can fall dramatically, and snow and ice can affect transport and everyday activities.

There is also the emotional challenge of living far from home. Although Québec is culturally familiar in some ways, participants still have to build a new social network, understand different workplace expectations and manage everyday life without their usual family and friends.

Another problem is the uncertainty surrounding the application itself. The number of places is limited, and being eligible does not guarantee an invitation. In 2026, for example, the French Working Holiday quota was 5,661, while more than 17,000 candidates were in the pool in July.

The popularity of Québec among French immigrants is much broader than the PVT. France has consistently been one of the most important sources of immigration to Québec. Between 2021 and 2025, more than 43,500 immigrants born in France were admitted to Québec, representing 14.9% of the total. In 2025 alone, France was again the leading country of birth among immigrants admitted to Québec, with 8,803 people.

For some PVT participants, the experience is temporary. They spend one or two years in Canada and eventually return to France with new skills, memories and international experience. For others, the experience can become the beginning of a longer relationship with Canada or Québec.

The PVT therefore represents something bigger than a simple working holiday. It gives young French people a relatively accessible way to test life abroad without immediately making a permanent commitment. They can work, travel, meet people, develop professionally and discover another culture.

For many young adults, that combination is the main attraction: Québec feels foreign enough to be an adventure, but familiar enough to feel possible.

1. VOCABULARY MATCH

Match the words with the correct definitions.

PART A

Words	Definitions
1. attraction	a. A place where someone lives
2. newcomers	b. The ability to change or adapt easily
3. opportunity	c. The process or series of steps used to do something
4. flexibility	d. A situation in which the future is not clear
5. accommodation	e. People who have recently arrived somewhere
6. disadvantages	f. A chance to do something
7. uncertainty	g. Negative aspects or problems
8. procedure	h. The quality of being interesting or appealing

---

PART B

Words	Definitions
9. eligible	a. Things that people believe should happen
10. invitation	b. A promise or decision to support something for a period of time
11. commitment	c. The ability to adjust successfully to a new situation
12. adaptability	d. A formal request asking someone to attend or participate
13. advantages	e. Involving more than one country
14. expectations	f. Able to meet the requirements for something
15. international	g. Something that gives you a benefit or positive result
16. independence	h. The ability to live or act without depending on other people

2. SYNONYM MATCH

Match the words with the correct synonyms.

Word	Synonym
1. attraction	a. qualified
2. opportunity	b. adaptability
3. flexibility	c. appeal
4. newcomers	d. chance
5. eligible	e. recent arrivals
6. disadvantages	f. benefits
7. uncertainty	g. problems
8. adaptability	h. unpredictability

---

3. WHY QUÉBEC?

🇫🇷 French Language

• French is widely spoken.
• Newcomers can communicate more easily.
• It can be easier to find a first job.

🇨🇦 North American Experience

• Different working culture
• Different lifestyle
• Large cities and enormous natural spaces
• A different approach to work and independence

💼 Professional Experience

• International work experience
• Improving English
• A stronger CV
• Developing adaptability

🌎 Adventure

• Travel around Canada
• Meet people from different countries
• Experience Canadian winters
• Become more independent

Discuss

1. Which attraction would be most important to you?
2. Would speaking the local language make you more likely to move somewhere?
3. Is Québec different enough from France to feel like an adventure?

---

4. HOW DOES THE PVT WORK?

Put these stages in the correct order.

• _____ Receive an invitation to apply.
• _____ Arrive in Canada.
• _____ Create an IEC profile.
• _____ Submit the work permit application.
• _____ Enter the appropriate pool.
• _____ Provide the required documents.
• _____ Receive your Port of Entry Letter.
• _____ Find accommodation and work.

Discuss

1. Which stage seems the most complicated?
2. Which stage would make you nervous?
3. Would you apply if you were not guaranteed an invitation?
4. How far in advance would you prepare?

---

5. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Put each point into the correct category.

Advantages

• International work experience
• Improving English
• French-speaking environment
• Travelling around Canada
• Becoming more independent
• Meeting people from different countries
• Flexible employment
• Experiencing North American culture

Disadvantages

• High cost of living
• Difficult housing market
• Very cold winters
• Being far from family
• Uncertainty about finding work
• Limited number of places
• Cultural differences
• Possible loneliness

Discuss

1. Which advantage is the most important?
2. Which disadvantage would worry you most?
3. Could the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
4. Would you accept a lower salary in exchange for the experience?

---

6. THE PERFECT PVT DESTINATION

You have received your PVT.

Choose where you want to live.

A. Montréal

Advantages:

• French-speaking environment
• Large city
• Restaurants and nightlife
• International population
• More employment opportunities

Disadvantages:

• Expensive
• Competitive housing market
• Cold winters

---

B. Québec City

Advantages:

• Strong French identity
• Smaller city
• Historic environment
• Close to nature

Disadvantages:

• Smaller job market
• Less international than Montréal
• Car may be useful

---

C. A Small Town

Advantages:

• Lower living costs
• Nature
• Less competition
• More traditional Canadian lifestyle

Disadvantages:

• Fewer jobs
• Fewer social activities
• Possible isolation
• Less public transport

Debate

Which is the best place for a 23-year-old French PVT participant?

---

7. YOU HAVE €5,000

You have saved €5,000 and want to move to Québec.

Decide how to spend your money.

Expense	Your Budget
✈️ Flight	€_____
🏠 Accommodation	€_____
🍔 Food	€_____
🚆 Transport	€_____
🛂 Immigration costs	€_____
🏥 Insurance	€_____
💰 Emergency fund	€_____
🎉 Entertainment	€_____

Discuss

1. What would you spend the most money on?
2. How much would you keep for emergencies?
3. Would you take a second job if you ran out of money?
4. Would you borrow money to make the trip possible?

---

8. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

A. NO JOB

You arrive in Montréal and cannot find work for three weeks.

What would you do?

B. NO APARTMENT

You have a job but cannot find affordable accommodation.

Would you share an apartment with strangers?

C. THE WINTER

It is your first Québec winter and temperatures fall below −20°C.

Would you stay or return to France?

D. HOMESICK

After three months, you miss your family and friends.

What would you do?

E. BETTER JOB

You receive an excellent job offer in Toronto.

You originally planned to stay in Québec.

Would you leave Québec? Why?

---

9. FRANCE VS QUÉBEC

Complete the comparison.

Topic	France	Québec
Language	__________	__________
Working culture	__________	__________
Cost of living	__________	__________
Housing	__________	__________
Weather	__________	__________
Work opportunities	__________	__________
Social life	__________	__________
Work-life balance	__________	__________

Discuss

1. Which country seems better for young workers?
2. Which seems better for families?
3. Which offers more adventure?
4. Which would you prefer to live in for two years?

---

10. FILL IN THE BLANKS

Word Bank:

eligible — invitation — procedure — accommodation — flexibility — advantages — uncertainty — newcomers

1. French citizens must be __________ to participate in the programme.
2. Applicants enter a pool and wait for an __________ to apply.
3. The application __________ involves several different stages.
4. Finding affordable __________ can be difficult in Montréal.
5. One major advantage of the PVT is its employment __________.
6. International experience has many potential __________.
7. Waiting for an invitation creates some __________.
8. __________ often need time to adapt to a new country.

---

11. ROLE PLAY: THE PVT DECISION

Student A: French Student

You are 24 years old and have just finished university.

You want:

• Adventure
• International experience
• Better English
• Independence

But you are worried about:

• Money
• Winter
• Finding accommodation

Explain why you want to go.

---

Student B: Parent

You are the student's parent.

You are worried about:

• Safety
• Money
• Distance
• Employment
• The possibility of your child becoming unhappy

Try to convince your child to think carefully before leaving.

---

Student C: Québec Employer

You own a business in Montréal.

You often employ young PVT participants.

Explain:

• Why you like hiring them
• What skills they bring
• What problems they sometimes create
• Why international workers can benefit your business

---

Student D: Former PVT Participant

You spent two years in Québec.

Explain:

• What surprised you
• What you enjoyed
• What was difficult
• Whether you would do it again

---

12. THE PVT DEBATE

Group A: THE PVT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

You believe the programme is excellent for young French people.

Arguments:

• International experience
• Language skills
• Independence
• Travel
• Professional development
• Cultural exchange

---

Group B: THE PVT IS OVERRATED

You believe young people should think twice before leaving France.

Arguments:

• High living costs
• Housing problems
• Cold weather
• Being far from family
• Difficult job market
• Limited places

---

13. CONVINCE THE GROUP

Scenario 1: GO TO QUÉBEC

You are 22 and have just graduated.

You want to spend two years in Québec.

Convince your parents that it is a good idea.

---

Scenario 2: STAY IN FRANCE

Your friend wants to leave France for Québec.

You believe they should stay.

Convince them that staying in France is the better choice.

---

Scenario 3: MOVE TO MONTRÉAL

You have received your PVT and want to move to Montréal.

Your parents think a smaller Canadian city would be better.

Explain why Montréal is the right choice.

---

Scenario 4: STAY LONGER

Your PVT is coming to an end.

You love Québec and want to find a way to remain in Canada.

Explain why you should stay.

---

14. TOP 10 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think Québec is so attractive to young French people?
2. Would you prefer a PVT in Canada or another country?
3. Would speaking French make you feel more comfortable moving abroad?
4. Is international work experience important for a young person's CV?
5. Would you leave your country for two years at the age of 20?
6. What would be the biggest challenge of living in Québec?
7. Would you prefer Montréal or a smaller Canadian city?
8. Is it better to travel when you are young?
9. Can living abroad change someone's personality?
10. Would you personally choose the PVT if you were eligible?

---

15. FINAL DEBATE

Is the PVT one of the best opportunities available to young French people?

Choose one:

A. Yes — it combines travel, work and personal development.

B. Yes — especially because Québec offers a French-speaking environment.

C. No — the cost and uncertainty make it too risky.

D. It depends — it is excellent for some people but not for everyone.

Final question:

If you could live and work anywhere in the world for two years, where would you go — and why?

1. VOCABULARY MATCH

Match the words with the correct definitions.

PART A

Words	Definitions
1. attraction	a. A situation in which the future is not clear
2. newcomers	b. A place where someone lives
3. opportunity	c. The ability to change or adapt easily
4. flexibility	d. Negative aspects or problems
5. accommodation	e. A chance to do something
6. disadvantages	f. The process or series of steps used to do something
7. uncertainty	g. People who have recently arrived somewhere
8. procedure	h. The quality of being interesting or appealing

PART B

Words	Definitions
9. eligible	a. The ability to live or act without depending on other people
10. invitation	b. Something that gives you a benefit or positive result
11. commitment	c. Able to meet the requirements for something
12. adaptability	d. The ability to adjust successfully to a new situation
13. advantages	e. A formal request asking someone to attend or participate
14. expectations	f. Involving more than one country
15. international	g. Things that people believe should happen
16. independence	h. A promise or decision to support something for a period of time