Mali has announced a new visa bond requirement for U.S. nationals, responding to similar measures imposed by the United States.
Visa Bonds Up to $10,000 for U.S. Travelers
Starting Oct. 23, U.S. citizens seeking business or tourist visas to Mali will be required to pay a visa bond of up to $10,000.
The bond is refundable upon departure, provided travelers comply with the country’s visa conditions.
The U.S. Embassy in Bamako confirmed the implementation of the measure on Friday.
Reciprocity After U.S. Policy
The move comes after the Trump administration included Mali in its visa bond pilot program, targeting countries with high rates of visa overstays.
Mali’s foreign ministry criticized the U.S. action as a “unilateral decision” that breached a prior bilateral agreement on long-stay, multiple-entry visas.
“In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, Mali has decided to introduce an identical visa program imposing the same conditions and requirements on U.S. nationals,” the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
Limited Impact on Travelers
Data from the U.S. State Department indicates that fewer than 3,000 non-immigrant visas are issued annually to Malians.
Figures for U.S. citizens applying for visas to Mali are not immediately available.