Mali has introduced a visa bond requirement of up to $10,000 for United States citizens seeking business or tourist visas, mirroring measures recently imposed by Washington on Malian nationals. The government in Bamako announced the decision on Sunday, October 12th, describing it as an act of reciprocity in response to what it considers a violation of existing visa agreements.
The United States began requiring Malian applicants to post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 as part of a year-long pilot program targeting countries with high visa overstay rates. The initiative, implemented by the Trump administration, also includes Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia.
Mali’s Foreign Ministry explained that the U.S. measures breached a 2005 accord guaranteeing long-term visa access between the two nations. “Mali has always collaborated with the United States of America in the fight against irregular immigration, with respect for law and human dignity,” the ministry said in a statement, noting that the new policy would apply “under the principle of reciprocity.”
According to the U.S. Embassy in Mali, the bond program reflects Washington’s commitment to protecting its borders and safeguarding national security. Under the system, travelers must pay the bond upfront through a U.S. Treasury portal and may only enter and exit the country through three designated airports. The payment is refunded if visitors depart on time, but forfeited in cases of overstays or asylum applications.
The move comes as both countries seek to balance strained diplomatic relations. The United States held talks with Malian officials to discuss counterterrorism cooperation and economic partnerships, including access to Mali’s gold and lithium sectors. Relations have remained tense since the 2021 coup that brought General Assimi Goïta to power and shifted the country’s alliances toward Russia.
