The recently enacted law in France places stringent restrictions on the conditions for entry and residence, aiming to eliminate the possibility of exempting non-EU nationals from the considerably increased tuition fees since 5 years ago.

According to Uriel Asare, a 22-year-old Congolese-Ghanaian student pursuing an advanced university program at Skema Business School and the spokesperson for Voix des Étudiants Étrangers, an NGO aiding foreign students with administrative processes, the law sends a discouraging message to African students, implying, “Don’t come here, we don’t want you.” This sentiment is particularly disheartening as France historically remains a logical choice for students from French-speaking Africa.

A heightened sense of unease pervades among African students in the wake of France’s Parliament passing the immigration law on December 19. The legislation introduces more stringent entry and residency conditions, coupled with an increase in tuition fees for foreign students. This includes the imposition of a “return deposit” and the implementation of quotas, measures that have sparked accusations of being discriminatory by unions and NGOs.

As of 2020, France ranked as the sixth-largest host country for foreign students globally, hosting 400,000 students. Key contributors include Morocco with almost 46,000 nationals, Algeria with 31,000 students, along with significant enrollments from Senegal, Tunisia, and Ivory Coast. The implications of the new law are concerning for the vibrant community of international students in France.

The bill also outlines specific criteria for obtaining a long-stay visa, a process already complicated by digitalization. Previously, visas were contingent on the “real and serious nature of the studies,” assessed based on information from educational institutions and the applicants. The revised law now demands students to furnish annual proof of the ongoing seriousness of their studies.

Furthermore, securing a long-stay visa designated as “student” requires a minimum of €615 per month or €7,380 annually, supported by a bank certificate. As Asare highlights, this financial requirement itself serves as validation for the dedication of students, considering the sacrifices their families make to facilitate their studies in France, encompassing tuition fees and living expenses.