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Informational content — no offer yetPVT Insurance (Working Holiday Visa)
Most working holiday visas require proof of health insurance valid for the entire length of the stay, with a minimum coverage amount set by the host country.
Who it’s for
- 18-35 year-olds (depending on the country) leaving on a working holiday visa (PVT)
- Those who must present proof of insurance to obtain their visa
A requirement that varies by country
The minimum coverage amount required, the duration and the supporting documents requested differ from one country to another — Canada , for example, requires insurance valid for the entire length of the permit with no set minimum amount, while other countries set a precise amount, such as Australia (subclass 417 visa, OVHC) or New Zealand. See also the Japan page for another common PVT destination. See the page for your destination country for verified details, and the PVT glossary entry for the general principle.
What PVT insurance must cover
Medical costs and hospitalisation at a minimum; depending on the country's requirements, a precise coverage cap and sometimes a repatriation component. To be checked against the official conditions of the relevant PVT programme before taking out a plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does a PVT give access to the host country's public healthcare system?
Not automatically: in Canada, for example, a PVT holder remains subject to the provincial waiting period like any new arrival, barring a specific exemption. The private insurance required for the visa is an entry condition, not a shortcut into the public system.
Can I use my CFE membership as PVT insurance?
No, these are two different things: CFE reimburses on French bases and is not designed to meet the private insurance requirement of a PVT visa, which imposes its own conditions (amount, duration, benefits).
What happens if my PVT insurance expires before the end of my stay?
Some countries (Canada via IRCC, for example) directly limit the length of the permit issued to the length of the insurance presented: insurance shorter than the planned stay can shorten the permit itself, not just leave an uncovered period.
Written by Expavy