Mali imposes $10,000 visa bond on US visitors in reciprocal move
- On Sunday, Mali's Foreign Ministry in Bamako announced US nationals must post bonds up to $10,000 for business and tourist visas as reciprocal measures.
- The US State Department launched a year-long pilot targeting seven African countries, citing more than 300,000 overstays in 2023 and fees atop the standard $185 visa cost.
- Framing the step as reciprocal, Mali said the bond applies to business and tourist visa categories and the Foreign Ministry in Bamako called the US measure unilateral.
- Business travellers and tourists from the US may face greater hurdles entering Mali, and regional cooperation on migration and security could be affected after the 2021 coup brought Gen Assimi Goïta to power.
- Regional tensions continue as the administration of US President Donald Trump uses visa restrictions for leverage while Mali strengthens ties with Russia amid insurgency and expels French troops.
32 Articles
32 Articles
Mali slaps visa bond on US travelers in retaliation
The Foreign Ministry in Bamako announced the decision on Sunday, calling it a reciprocal response to US rules set to take effect on October 23 that will require Malian business and tourist visa applicants to post bonds of $5,000 to $10,000.

Mali to impose reciprocal visa bond requirement for US nationals
Mali has announced it will require U.S. nationals to post bonds of up to $10,000 for business and tourist visas, after the Trump administration said the West African nation would be added to its visa bond programme. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Washington tightened requirements for tourism and business stays for citizens of several African countries in August
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