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Mali to require U.S. citizens to pay up to $10,000 visa bonds for business and tourist visas.
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Measure follows U.S. visa bond pilot targeting Mali to curb overstays.
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Mali cites reciprocity and violation of prior bilateral visa agreement.
The Government of Mali has announced that U.S. nationals will now be required to pay visa bonds of up to $10,000 for business and tourist visas, effective October 23, 2025.
This move is a direct response to a similar measure by the U.S. government, which included Mali in a visa bond pilot programme aimed at reducing visa overstays.
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Official Statements and Policy Context
The U.S. Embassy in Bamako confirmed the upcoming enforcement.
Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the U.S. action as a “unilateral decision” that breaches prior bilateral agreements on long-stay, multiple-entry visas.
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The Ministry stated: “In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, Mali has decided to introduce an identical visa programme imposing the same conditions and requirements on U.S. nationals.”
Impact and Global Context
Fewer than 3,000 non-immigrant visas are issued to Malians annually by the U.S., according to State Department data.
Visa bond schemes are part of former President Donald Trump’s broader immigration clampdown, which included heightened border security and stricter visa enforcement measures.
Data on Mali-issued visas to U.S. citizens is currently unavailable.
