Stricter financial proof demanded for Cameroonian students

The French embassy in Yaoundé has defended its decision to tighten financial requirements for Cameroonian students applying for visas to study in private French institutions. Speaking at a press conference on July 16, Muriel Piquet-Viaux, Advisor for Cooperation and Cultural Action, highlighted a surge in fraudulent documents submitted through Campus France, including fake bank statements, forged identity papers, and misleading financial justifications.

The embassy has implemented enhanced verification procedures to scrutinize all submitted documents. Under the new rules, Cameroonian students admitted to private French institutions must either provide proof of full tuition payment or demonstrate access to the full amount required before visa approval. Students who have already paid a deposit will have their funds released upon visa issuance, with conditions varying by institution.

This measure, currently applied only to Cameroon, has sparked concerns among families already facing financial strain to support their children’s education abroad.