French Ambassador reveal 22,000 visas issued since January.

This was during a press conference organised in Yaounde on October 18, to assess the commitments made to improve mobility between Cameroon and France.

Speaking at the event, the ambassador praised his team for the support provided to applicants and the smooth processing of applications. He also expressed delight with the good results achieved so far.

“On October 1, 2024, we had 22,000 visas issued; almost the same number as for the whole of 2023. This means that France does not apply any particular quotas. Anyone who wants to come to France for any reason can do so today,” Marchand said.

As far as student visas are concerned, the diplomat disclosed that they are up by over 10% this year, thanks to a system that allows young people to be better informed about the procedures. 

“Between 4,200 and 4,300 young Cameroonians have begun or will begin their higher education studies in France this year,” Ambassador Marchand said.

With regards to circulation visas that permit individuals to stay for long periods in the country, the French Ambassador said the embassy will continue with its policy of extending these types of visas. 

Marchand further expressed satisfaction with the increase of nearly 25% as far as circulation visas are concerned this year, and intends to keep up the momentum.

According to the Ambassador, these results come one year after the involvement of the travel enterprise, TLS Contact, in their circuit. As the embassy’s partner, the enterprise is now in charge of receiving applications for visas to France as well as offering a number of other services. 

The Country Director of TLS Contact, Lilia Hacini, explained that their work includes assisting applicants in putting their applications together, reduce appointment times, and the option of receiving passports by post.

Ambassador Thierry Marchand regretted that visa applications are still being rejected. According to him, most of these applications carry falsified documents.

“When the visa service finds shortcomings, approximations or forgeries, obviously the visa is considered to be a dubious visa, which could lead to a diversion of the purpose of the visa, hence the refusal,” he stated. He, however, added that the number of visa refusals is reducing.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3268 of Wednesday October 23, 2024