There is no French visa centre in The Gambia: residents file their French visa application in Dakar, Senegal. A Campus France desk at the Alliance Française de Banjul helps students prepare, and this guide explains both steps, how Gambian qualifications map to AI2, and costs in dalasi.
AI2 – Applied Institute of Artificial Intelligence is an applied AI school on the Écouen campus, 22 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord. Its programmes are taught in English and prepare qualifications registered by the French State with France Compétences (RNCP) at level 6 (bachelor’s level) and level 7 (master’s level).
Applying from The Gambia: what is specific to you
Gambian qualifications and AI2 programmes
- WASSCE including mathematics: the Bachelor in Applied AI, three years.
- HND or two years of higher education in computing or engineering: the BSc final year, one year to RNCP level 6.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field, for example from the University of The Gambia: the MSc Applied AI.
- Master’s, engineering degree or four years of related higher education: the 11-month Fast-Track.
In The Gambia, the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) coordinates accreditation of tertiary institutions and their programmes, so a qualification from a NAQAA-accredited provider is the safest basis for your file. If you were taught in English at school and university, that can count towards AI2’s B2 English requirement in place of a test score; see study in France without IELTS.
Campus France in Banjul
The Gambia is not on the Études en France country list, but the Alliance Française de Banjul, 16 Kairaba Avenue, Serrekunda, hosts a Campus France desk that describes itself as an obligatory step for Gambian students heading to France. It helps with pre-registration and with preparing the student visa file for the Consulate General of France in Dakar. Listed hours are Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 1 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm; write to cf.banjul@ifs.sn to confirm which procedure applies to your AI2 admission.
Lodging the visa in Dakar
France-Visas states that the French consulate in Dakar processes all visa applications from people living in The Gambia whose sole or main destination is France. On the online form you must select Senegal as your country of submission. Files are lodged at VFS Global Dakar, ATRYUM Center, Km 8 Route de Ouakam, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, on an appointment booked on the VFS website. The basic VFS service fee is around 15,000 FCFA, paid in local currency when booking.
Passports are returned at the same Dakar centre, so plan either a second trip or a stay in Dakar. For long-stay visas, France-Visas suggests leaving at least one month between submission and departure, and longer when civil-status documents need checking.
| Item | EUR or FCFA | GMD (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Applied AI, per year, after the AI2 scholarship | from €9,000 | about GMD 753,000 |
| BSc final year (top-up) | from €9,900 | about GMD 829,000 |
| MSc Applied AI, per year, after the AI2 scholarship | from €10,500 | about GMD 879,000 |
| 11-month Fast-Track | €11,000 | about GMD 921,000 |
| VFS Global Dakar service fee | about 15,000 FCFA | about GMD 1,900 |
Sources checked in October 2026: Campus France: countries in the Études en France procedure · France-Visas: The Gambia · France-Visas: Senegal (VFS Global Dakar) · Alliance Française de Banjul: Campus France · NAQAA, The Gambia
AI and data science programmes for students from the Gambia
Bachelor in Applied AI
Three years after secondary school. RNCP level 6, from €9,000 a year after the AI2 scholarship.
BSc final year
AI-Powered Application Development or Data Analytics & Applied AI. Entry with an HND, a BTS or two years of higher education. RNCP level 6, from €9,900.
MSc Applied AI
Data Science, Cybersecurity or IoT. RNCP level 7 (master’s level), from €10,500 a year after the AI2 scholarship.
11-month Fast-Track
The level-7 qualification in under a year, €11,000. Starts in January.
All programmes and current fees: all programmes, scholarships and our guide to the cost of studying AI in France.
Entry requirements for students from the Gambia
- Bachelor Year 1: WASSCE results, including mathematics, with mathematics. English at B2 level: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, or schooling in English.
- BSc final year: an HND or two years of higher education in computing or engineering lets you enter the third year directly and earn a level-6 qualification in one year.
- MSc: a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics or a related field. English at B2 level: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, or schooling in English.
Why study AI in France rather than the UK or Australia?
- Tuition from €10,500 a year for an MSc, far below typical UK fees.
- Programmes taught in English, in the Paris region, at the heart of Europe.
- The right to work up to 964 hours a year during your studies, and a post-study permit for master’s-level graduates.
- Applied projects with companies, from the first semester.
Careers after an AI degree
Graduates can pursue data and AI careers in West Africa, with international organisations or in Europe. Typical roles include data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI developer, data analyst and AI security specialist.
How to come to France from the Gambia: step by step
Apply to AI2 online and attend an online interview with the academic team.
Receive your admission letter.
The Gambia is not on Campus France’s list of Études en France countries, but the Campus France desk at the Alliance Française de Banjul describes its step as compulsory: confirm with them before your visa appointment (details above).
Apply for the long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) on France-Visas, with proof of at least €877.50 a month of resources.
Arrive on the Écouen campus near Paris and validate your visa online on the ANEF portal within three months.
Start 6 to 8 months before your intake (January, May or September). The full timeline is in our visa guidance, and daily life is covered in life in France.
Time difference for your online interview
Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0): one hour behind Paris in winter, two in summer.
Have an HND? Earn a bachelor’s-level qualification in one year: see our top-up degree after an HND in France.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a French student visa in Banjul?
No. France-Visas directs residents of The Gambia to the French consulate in Dakar, with files lodged at VFS Global Dakar.
Which country do I choose on the France-Visas form?
Senegal, as the country of submission, even though you live in The Gambia.
Is there a Campus France office in The Gambia?
Yes, a desk at the Alliance Française de Banjul on Kairaba Avenue, Serrekunda, open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings.
Where do I collect my passport after the decision?
At VFS Global in Dakar, which returns passports on weekdays without an appointment.
Apply online: the academic team reviews your file and invites you to an online interview.
