Dozens of Cameroonian students and their parents have taken to the streets of Yaoundé to protest new financial requirements introduced for student visa applications to France, arguing that the measures threaten the educational ambitions of thousands of young people.
The demonstration, held outside the French Embassy, followed the introduction of new conditions by Campus France Cameroon requiring some applicants admitted to private higher education institutions in France to prove they have paid their full tuition fees or possess the equivalent amount in available funds before a visa can be issued. Protesters say the policy was introduced after many students had already secured university admissions, paid deposits, rented accommodation, and begun the visa application process.
Students Say the New Rules Are Unfair
Many of the demonstrators carried placards calling for the decision to be reversed, saying the revised financial requirements place an impossible burden on middle-income families.
Students argue that under the previous system, they could pay tuition in instalments after arriving in France. The new requirement to provide proof of full payment before receiving a visa has left many unable to continue with their applications.
Some protesters said they had already spent significant amounts on admission fees, accommodation, travel arrangements, and administrative procedures before learning of the new conditions. They fear losing both their money and their university places if they fail to meet the new financial requirements.
Families Face Financial Pressure
Parents who joined the protest described the new policy as financially overwhelming.
For many families, paying an entire year’s tuition in advance can amount to tens of thousands of euros, in addition to proving they have enough money to cover living expenses in France. Protesters say this effectively excludes many qualified students whose families cannot immediately mobilise such large sums.
Several families have appealed to French authorities to allow students who had already started their applications under the previous rules to complete the process without being subjected to the new requirements.
France Explains the Policy
In response to growing criticism, the French Embassy in Cameroon and Campus France Cameroon issued a statement acknowledging the concerns raised by students and parents.
The institutions explained that the measure is intended to ensure students have sufficient financial resources to successfully complete their studies and avoid financial difficulties after arriving in France. They also recognised that introducing the requirement at a late stage in the admission cycle had created uncertainty for many applicants who had already made financial commitments.
French officials said the objective is to secure students’ academic pathways rather than restrict access to higher education.
France Tightens Financial Requirements
The protests come as France implements broader reforms to its student visa system.
Under updated regulations, international students applying for long-stay study visas must demonstrate higher financial resources to cover living expenses during their stay. The minimum monthly proof-of-funds requirement is set to increase to €877.50 for applications submitted from 1 August 2026, reflecting changes introduced by the French government to align the threshold with rising living costs.
Education consultants say the new rules will affect students from several non-European countries, although the immediate controversy in Cameroon centres on additional documentation requested from applicants admitted to private French institutions.
Calls for Dialogue
Student groups and education advocates are urging both the French authorities and the Cameroonian government to engage in dialogue to find a solution that protects students already affected by the policy change.
They argue that transitional measures should be introduced for applicants who had begun their admission process before the new requirements were announced.
As the new academic year approaches, thousands of Cameroonian students remain uncertain about whether they will be able to continue their studies in France. For many, the outcome of the discussions will determine whether years of preparation and academic achievement can translate into the opportunity to study abroad.
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