Mali imposes $10,000 visa bond on U.S. citizens in reciprocal move

Mali has announced that U.S. citizens will now be required to post a refundable deposit of up to $10,000 before being granted business or tourist visas.

The government said the decision, announced on Sunday, October 12, is a reciprocal response to a recent U.S. visa bond policy targeting several African nations, including Mali. Under the new rule, American applicants for Malian business or tourist visas will face the same financial conditions now applied to Malians seeking B-1/B-2 visas to the United States.

Earlier, on Friday, October 10, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako revealed that Malian citizens would be required to deposit either $5,000 or $10,000 as a condition for visa issuance. Washington said the measure was part of its efforts to “protect America’s borders and safeguard national security.” The pilot program is set to begin on October 23, 2025.

In its response, Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the U.S. move “undermines the provisions of the Agreement on the Establishment of a Multiple-Entry Long-Term Visa,” which has been in effect since April 14, 2005.

The ministry stressed that Mali’s decision aligns with international diplomatic norms and reflects its “sovereign right to ensure balanced bilateral relations.” It also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining “fruitful cooperation with the United States within the framework of dialogue and mutual respect.”

This latest development adds to existing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, which have grown since Mali’s military coups in 2020 and 2021. Following those events, Washington suspended parts of its military and financial assistance and called for a return to civilian rule.

Despite the political friction, economic ties between both nations remain notable, with bilateral trade totaling $184 million in 2023, according to the International Trade Centre (ITC).