France confirms a major turning point in its visa policy towards Tunisians: the refusal rate falls to 18%, even as applications increase. Consul General Dominique Mas evokes a climate of newfound confidence, supported by the increase in long-term visas and the growth in student mobility.
A palpable relaxation after years of administrative tension
Between January and the end of October 2025, 118,000 visa applications were submitted by Tunisians, an increase of 6% compared to the previous year. Despite this influx, France rejected only 18.3% of applications, a rate significantly lower than that recorded in recent years.
This drop is also observed on short-stay visas, for which the refusal rate drops to 13%, even in periods of high demand. For Consul General Dominique Mas, this trend is explained by the notable improvement in the quality of files as well as better preparation of applicants, supported in particular by Campus France, he explained in an interview granted this Thursday to Express FM.
Student mobility: an increasing flow and simplified procedures
With nearly 16,000 Tunisian students enrolled in French higher education – including 4,500 in long programs, an increase of 9% in one year – academic mobility remains a central pillar of the bilateral relationship.
During the first ten months of 2025, more than 5,000 student visas were issued, confirming the importance of this sector of excellence for young Tunisians attracted by French training.
The strengthening of long-term visas also illustrates this movement: half of the visas issued are now valid for more than one year, a sign of renewed confidence and a desire to encourage professional and academic careers straddling the two countries.
Standardization that is being built despite technical difficulties
The consul, however, recognized a black spot: 6,700 appointments canceled during the year, preventing applicants from finalizing their files. Consular services continue to process these situations to prevent legitimate candidates from being penalized.
Despite these obstacles, the general trend remains marked by a gradual reopening and a political will to calm an issue that has long been a source of diplomatic unease. The regularity of exchanges, the rise of university partnerships and the increase in long-term visas bear witness to this dynamic.
Thus, after the tensions of 2021-2022, the Franco-Tunisian relationship finds more stable ground, with a particular emphasis placed on youth, training and professional mobility.
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