France increases quota of student visa for Cameroon.

The information was made public recently by the French Ambassador to Cameroon, Thierry Marchand. This was during a press briefing.

According to the diplomat, they plan to issue approximately 4,300 visas this year, making a 10% rise as compared to 2023. 

Describing the decision as “excellent news”, he said it is important as student visas will help strengthen even more the diplomatic and cultural ties between France and Cameroon.

“Student visas are a crucial part of the relationship between France and Cameroon,” Ambassador Marchand stated.

The decision, he added, aligns with his goal, since he arrived Cameroon at the end of 2022, to make the visa process for students easier. 

He further emphasised that this increase reflects France’s commitment to supporting Cameroonian students seeking higher education opportunities in their universities and institutions.

He also revealed that the visa delivery could increase to as much as 30% in 2024, as compared to the previous year. The move, he said, is part of a larger strategy aimed at strengthening people-to-people connections between the two nations.

According to the diplomat, in a bid to streamline the process and provide better support, the French embassy will have teams at the “Salon pour la promotion des études en France”, SAPEF, an event holding in Yaounde and Douala all through the month of October. 

Ambassador Marchand encouraged students to take advantage of the event, noting that it’s an ideal platform to understand the application process and ensure that their paperwork aligns with embassy requirements.

SAPEF, it should be said, is an annual event, which is aimed to promote study opportunities in France and provides students with in-depth information on applying for visas, the French education system, and scholarship options. 

He equally announced the launch of Campus France desks across several universities in the country. 

These on-campus desks, the diplomat said, will enable students to initiate their immigration and visa application processes directly from their own universities, saving time and simplifying the typically complex procedures.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3274 of Tuesday October 29, 2024