Following the concern of Cameroonian candidates for studies in France, the director general of the French Institute in Cameroon (IFC) clarifies the new decision to tighten financial conditions.
During the press conference she held on July 11, 2026, Muriel Piquet-Viaux, director general of the IFC, of which Campus France is one of the services, explained that the decision requiring the prior payment of the full tuition fees for private schools is not intended to close the door to France, but to protect the paths of Cameroonian students in the face of an explosion of fraud and poorly prepared departures. “It is a sum of money that must be blocked in a bank account that ensures that the student who is going to leave will be able to study under optimal conditions.”
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Regarding the confusion about the different services of the French embassy, the official explains that: “the Campus France service is part of a mobility and attractiveness unit. It is there to inform, advise and process applications. It has no authority regarding the student visa.” The visa service is a completely independent entity placed under the dual supervision of the French Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the Interior.
In short, “Passing the orientation interview or blocking your money in no way guarantees obtaining the visa.” Muriel Piquet-Viaux adds that this new requirement is a direct response to a “significant increase in the number of frauds.” She cites among others, false certificates, fake transcripts, and false identities. According to Campus France, these practices end up weakening the entire mobility procedure for all Cameroonian students. “Our goal is benevolent. The important thing is that when the student arrives in the host country, the conditions are met so that they can study under good conditions.”
For the director general of the IFC, sending a young person abroad without financial guarantees exposes them to precariousness and academic failure. This “survivability” measure aims, according to her, to ensure that families really have the means to support their child on French soil.
Campus France reports an increase of more than 150% in student visa applications in Cameroon. The DG of the IFC states that at least 800 people were welcomed on Saturday, July 11, 2026, by the Campus France Coordination and Orientation Center. Specifying that the refund of money to students rejected for visas does not commit it, Campus France also questions the role of local intermediary agencies that abound in Yaoundé and Douala. Campus France claims to be the only institution authorized to assist candidates.
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