Esther Imonmion
The government of Mali has introduced visa bond requirements for citizens of the United States, mirroring new measures recently imposed by Washington on Malian travellers.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the move as a reciprocal response to US visa bond rules set to take effect on October 23, which will require Malian business and tourist visa applicants to post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
According to Bamako, the US policy violates a 2005 bilateral accord that guarantees long-term visa access between both countries. The ministry stressed that while Mali continues to cooperate with Washington on curbing irregular migration “with respect for law and human dignity,” it would uphold the principle of reciprocity.
The US visa bond programme is part of a year-long pilot targeting countries with high visa overstay rates. Mali was added to the list in October, alongside Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Tanzania. Other African nations affected by the scheme include Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia.
Under the US policy, travellers must pay the bond in advance through the US Treasury Department and are permitted entry only through three designated airports. The funds are refundable if travellers depart before their visa expires but forfeited in cases of overstays or asylum claims. A standard $185 visa fee remains applicable.
US officials have justified the measure as a response to national security concerns, citing Department of Homeland Security figures showing more than 300,000 visa overstays in 2023. However, critics argue that the policy could discourage legitimate travel and harm tourism ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The visa bond initiative has coincided with broader Trump administration efforts to pressure African governments to accept deportees in exchange for aid or political concessions.
In recent months, Burkina Faso lost access to US visa services after refusing to accept third-country deportees, forcing applicants to seek visas abroad. South Sudan faced a similar suspension before agreeing to take in eight non-African deportees. Meanwhile, Eswatini reportedly accepted up to 160 migrants in exchange for $5.1 million in US funding, while Ghana, Rwanda, and Uganda have entered similar arrangements.