By Oluwabukunmi
The government of Mali has announced that U.S. citizens seeking business or tourist visas will now be required to pay a refundable visa bond of up to $10,000, mirroring a similar policy introduced by the United States.
The decision, announced by Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, was described as a reciprocal measure against what it termed a “unilateral and unfriendly action” by Washington. The new visa regulation is set to take effect on October 23, according to a statement released in Bamako.
The Malian authorities condemned the U.S. policy, introduced under former President Donald Trump’s administration, as a breach of prior bilateral agreements that allowed for long-term, multiple-entry visas between the two countries.
“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,” the foreign ministry said.
Under the American visa bond pilot programme, certain travellers from countries with high rates of visa overstays are required to post refundable bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 as a deterrent to overstaying. The U.S. Embassy in Bamako confirmed that Mali was among the countries affected, and that the measure would take effect this month.
According to U.S. State Department data, fewer than 3,000 non-immigrant visas are issued annually to Malian citizens. However, figures for U.S. travellers to Mali were not immediately available.
The U.S. initiative, which also applies to applicants from countries such as Zambia and Malawi, has been criticised across Africa. Zambia previously described the policy as an “unnecessary financial strain” that could discourage legitimate travel and business exchanges.
Mali’s response underscores growing diplomatic tension between the two nations amid broader debates on migration, sovereignty, and reciprocity in international relations.
