Cameroon Students March Against Strict French Visa Financial Rules BODY: Yaoundé, Cameroon – Dozens of Cameroonian students and parents took to the streets outside the French Embassy in Yaoundé on Tuesday, July 16, 2026, to peacefully protest new financial requirements for French visas.
The demonstration, coinciding with the autumn academic intake, sought to highlight the impact of the new rules on students admitted to private institutions in France.
The new financial requirements, announced by Campus France Cameroon on July 9, 2026, demand that students provide proof of full payment of their tuition fees or demonstrate the availability of the corresponding funds before a visa can be issued. This development has sparked concern among students and parents, who argue that the stricter rules could significantly hinder their ability to pursue higher education in France. Among those affected is Yvan Odjo, a candidate for a Master’s degree in public law at a private French university.
Odjo was rejected due to the new policy on student mobility, stating that the required sum of 25,000 euros, including processing fees, is unattainable for most families.
The organizers of the silent march called for inclusive dialogue over the decision, emphasizing the need for a fair and accessible education system. Salomon Ondoua, representative of the collective for access to study projects, expressed concerns about the disparities faced by Cameroonian students compared to their Ivorian counterparts.
According to a source at the French Embassy in Cameroon, officials from Campus France intend to address the press regarding student mobility before the end of the week.
The new rules are expected to make studying in France significantly more expensive for students from outside the European Union, with non — EU students facing higher tuition fees starting from the next academic year.
As the situation unfolds, the demonstration outside the French Embassy in Yaoundé serves as a call for dialogue and a fairer visa process.
The Cameroonian government has yet to comment on the new financial requirements, but the demonstration underscores the challenges faced by students and parents in the wake of the Anglophone Crisis.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: rfi
Source: RFI
