Mali requires visa bonds up to US$10,000 for U.S. citizens
Mali has announced a new policy that will require United States citizens to post visa bonds of up to $10,000 when applying for business or tourist visas. The measure comes in response to a recently introduced U.S. pilot visa bond program, which will affect Malian nationals applying for B-1/B-2 visas. Mali says it is implementing the new requirement on the principle of reciprocity.
According to the U.S. embassy in Mali, the bond requirement will take effect on October 23, 2025, and applies to U.S. nationals seeking tourist or business visas. The bond will be refundable if the visa holder departs the country in compliance with the terms of their visa.
Mali’s Foreign Ministry has criticised the U.S. decision, saying it undermines a bilateral agreement from 2005 that allows for long-term multiple-entry visas. Officials described the U.S. policy as “unilateral” and a violation of the earlier accord, which aimed to ease travel between the two countries. In its statement, Bamako made clear that the new visa bond requirement for U.S. nationals is a direct reciprocal measure.
Under the U.S. pilot program, Malian nationals applying for B-1/B-2 visas will also face bond deposits of $5,000 to $10,000, depending on certain risk assessments. The visa bond policy is part of broader U.S. efforts to reduce visa overstays and improve immigration compliance.
It remains unclear how many U.S. citizens annually apply for business or tourist visas to Mali, or how much the move will affect travel and diplomatic ties. Still, Mali says the requirement is meant to ensure that U.S. citizens are subject to the same rules that Malians will now face when applying in the U.S. under the visa bond program.
