France withdraws extra financial requirements for Cameroonian student visas

The French Embassy in Cameroon has announced the withdrawal of additional financial constraints previously imposed on Cameroonian students seeking visas to study in France. These measures, which had been introduced in July 2026, required students—particularly those admitted to private higher education institutions—to demonstrate full payment of one year's tuition fees and the prior blocking of an equivalent sum in a bank account.

The decision follows significant pushback from students and advocacy groups, such as the CAP Études collective, which initiated legal proceedings before the Administrative Tribunal of Paris to contest the requirements. With the reversal, visa applications will return to standard procedures, allowing students to pay tuition in installments rather than requiring upfront full payment.

While the specific additional constraints are removed, the French Embassy emphasized that each application will still undergo rigorous examination to ensure the “financial sustainability of the student's project.” Additionally, the embassy, in collaboration with TLS Contact, plans to open new appointment slots to address processing delays. The move is seen as a relief for families facing high upfront costs, though general French rules for non-EU students regarding minimum resource justification remain in effect.