The Malian government has announced that citizens of the United States will now be required to pay a refundable deposit of up to $10,000 before obtaining business or tourist visas.
The new policy, which takes effect on October 23, 2025, is part of a reciprocal measure against a similar requirement introduced by the U.S. government for Malian applicants.
According to a statement from Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the move follows Washington’s pilot visa bond programme that demands Malian travellers applying for B1/B2 visas to post a bond of between $5,000 and $15,000. The ministry described the U.S. decision as “unilateral and inconsistent with the spirit of bilateral cooperation,” stressing that Bamako would apply the principle of reciprocity to ensure fairness.
The statement noted that the new measure will apply to both business and tourist visa applicants from the United States. “Mali will impose the same visa conditions on American nationals as those imposed on Malian citizens,” the government said.
The ministry clarified that the deposit will be refunded once travellers comply with all visa conditions and exit Mali within the permitted timeframe. However, failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the bond.
Mali’s decision highlights growing diplomatic tension between the two countries over recent visa restrictions, as Bamako seeks to assert its sovereignty in response to what it terms “unequal treatment” by foreign governments.