What is the V.I.E program?

Becoming a V.I.E / V.I.A young talent means having a secure job abroad for 6 to 24 months with a company or French administration. Whatever your background, if you are aged between 18 and 28, French or citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA), then V.I.E or V.I.A may be for you !

Please note, it is not voluntary work. Whether you are at the start of your career or doing a job with real responsibilities, you will be paid. V.I.E and V.I.A are a professional springboard.

If you dream of being trained abroad, just do it !

V.I.E: a stress-free work abroad

V.I.E allows you to undertake a secure professional assignment abroad of 6 to 24 months. You are protected by the French Embassy and supported by Business France throughout your V.I.E assignment. As a result, it provides you, your family and your employer with reassurance too !

International training, the chance to get to know new cultures, guaranteed job opportunities … But where there are rights there are also duties! You must respect the context in which you find yourself, first and foremost to protect yourself.

The conditions for undertaking a V.I.E assignment

To become a young talent in a Company, you must fulfil the following conditions :

- Be aged at least 18 and under 28 on the date you submit your application on the My VI website, and the assignment must start no later than your 29th birthday (bearing in mind that a V.I.E contract always starts on the 1st of the month).

- Be French or a European citizen.

- Be in good standing with regard to the national service obligations of your country(ies) (defence ID n°).

- Have a clean criminal record.

- Be able to devote yourself full time to your assignment : no part-time work, entrepreneurship, studies or paid activity at the same time as your V.I.E.

- Accept the letter of appointment that you sign with Business France which sets out your rights and your duties during your assignment.

The right profile to become a V.I.E young talent

In fact, there is no typical profile !
Whatever your background or your level of experience, you can become a young talent in a Company, provided you fulfil the above conditions.
It is very open as companies recruit from all business sectors and from among a wide range of careers: marketing, sales, management control, accounting, finance, HR, legal, engineering, production, research, crafts...
What counts is your sense of responsibility, your ability to work alone, your adaptability and above all, your motivation for international business !

The V.I.E remuneration

Being an international young talent in a Company is not voluntary work.
Throughout your assignment you receive a fixed monthly allowance at the end of the month, which is not taxed in France.
Part of this allowance is the same for all volunteers, regardless of your country of assignment (€772,87 /month since January 2024); another part called "geographical", necessary for subsistence, equipment and housing, varies quarterly according to your country (or even your city) of assignment.

The advantages to you of a V.I.E assignment

Are you still hesitating about going on a V.I.E assignment ?

Let us summarize its advantages. Spoiler alert: there are lots of them !

- I get professional experience abroad with the back-up and support of Business France.

- I become fluent in a foreign language.

- I find the ideal environment for letting my atypical profile fully express itself.

- I maximize my chances of finding a job after my assignment, as in 92% of cases the V.I.E program leads to a job offer !

- I receive tax-free allowances for the assignment I carry out.

- I increase in maturity.

- I discover and open myself up to new cultures.

- I have experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life (if you doubt this, take a look at the V.I.E testimonials and the ex-V.I.E success stories !)

-… and often even, I meet the love of my life, but that is not guaranteed in the contract !

So, are you still hesitating ?

V.I.A in brief

V.I.A means performing a civic service abroad via a paid assignment of 6 to 24 months with a French state body. Namely : Embassy, Consulate, Alliance Française, Research Institute, Directorate General of the Treasury, Cultural Co-operation Department, Business France office…

As a V.I.A young talent, your assignment is to promote the influence of France around the world whether in the fields of culture, the economy, the humanitarian sector, research or the environment.
If you are motivated by the idea of being part of France’s action abroad, the V.I.A program is made for you !

The conditions for undertaking a V.I.A assignment

- Be at least 18 years old and no more than 28, the age limit for undertaking an assignment.

- Be of French nationality or a citizen of the European Economic Area : with the exception of very special cases, the positions of V.I.A are open to both.

- If you are French or have a dual nationality including French, to have met the obligations of national service in France.

- Have a clean criminal record.

- Be able to devote yourself full time to your V.I.A assignment : no work, entrepreneurship or studies, even part-time, at the same time as your assignment.

- Accept the letter of appointment that you sign with the public organisation which sets out your rights and your duties during your assignment.

The V.I.A assignments

If the offers of assignments are less numerous than for the V.I.E assignments, they are nevertheless very varied : you can work in the areas of cultural events, political sciences, law, economic, commercial or scientific intelligence but also in teaching, IT, research, medicine, hotels and catering…
Can you see yourself there already ? We tell you more about how to find a V.I.A assignment !

Our advice on how to find a V.I.A assignment

Mon V.I jobboard is the starting point for your search. Register to find all the up-to-date V.I.A offers.
Above all, contrary to the V.I.E program, unsolicited applications are not accepted by public service employers. Finally, complete these procedures as early as possible, as processing times can be quite long. You will thus put all the chances on your side !

Your payment as a V.I.A young talent

As international young talent, you can devote yourself entirely to your assignment in comfort, as at the end of each month you receive a Fixed Monthly Allowance.
Part of this allowance is the same for all volunteers, regardless of your country of assignment (€772.87/month since January 1, 2024); another part called "geographical", necessary for subsistence, equipment and housing, varies quarterly according to your country (or even your city) of assignment.

In conclusion, some good news ! These allowances are exempt from income tax in France.

V.I.E in figures

V.I.A in figures

Who are we ?

LOGO BUSINESS FRANCE

Our aim is to open up the French economy to international development !

Business France is the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy. To make things simple, we support French companies in developing their businesses abroad, and facilitate foreign investment in France. What we stand for ? Increasing the attractiveness and spreading the image of France beyond our borders.

And V.I.E / V.I.A, in all this ?

V.I.E / V.I.A is a door open to international opportunities for both French companies as well as young French people and citizens of the European Economic Area.

The Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Foreign Trade has delegated to Business France the management and development of this unique scheme. In reality, our role extends well beyond administrative management. We support you on a daily basis and in the field during your intern experience. We also manage the Mon V.I website.

Your partner in the V.I.E adventure

In concrete terms, what do we do for you ?

- We promote the V.I.E program and make it accessible to as many young people as possible

- We provide access to numerous recruiters and try to convince ever more people to experience the V.I.E program

- We help you in the administrative procedure before and during the whole of your V.I.E assignment

- We allow you to travel abroad to have an exceptional experience in total safety

- We offer a professional springboard to anyone who dreams of an international career

It is with us that you sign your letter of appointment that frames your assignment.
With us that you get ready before your departure via the induction day.
With us that you share your first impressions, your difficulties and your unforgettable memories !

Curious to find out more about our organisation?

Business France is backed up by nearly 1,500 employees located in France and in 75 offices around the world covering over 120 countries.
With the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Bpifrance, the Regions and departments of State, Business France, co-founded the Team France Export, which brings together all the public solutions to make French companies successful internationally.

Find us at our official site and on our social networks !