Mali Retaliates Against US Visa Bond Policy with Reciprocal Measures
Mali has implemented visa bond requirements for United States citizens, mirroring the recently imposed restrictions Washington placed on Malian travellers. This move is a direct response to what the Malian government views as a violation of existing bilateral agreements.
The declaration from the Foreign Ministry in Bamako came on Sunday,following the US implementation of a policy requiring Malian nationals seeking business or tourist visas to post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $10,000,effective October 23rd.
Mali asserts that the US programme contravenes a 2005 agreement guaranteeing long-term visa access between the two countries. the government has vowed to apply the same financial barriers to US passport holders, invoking the principle of reciprocity.
In a statement released via its Foreign Ministry, Mali emphasized its ongoing collaboration with the United States in combating irregular immigration, while upholding legal standards and human dignity. (See: https://x.com/MaliMaeci/status/1977306811448344967).
This dispute underscores growing tensions as the US management utilizes visa restrictions as a tool to exert diplomatic pressure on African governments regarding immigration enforcement and deportation cooperation.
Mali is one of seven African nations included in a year-long pilot scheme targeting countries with reported high rates of visa overstays. Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tanzania were recently added to the program, joining Mali, Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia.
Under the US policy, travellers subject to the bond must pay upfront through a US Treasury department portal. Entry and exit are limited to three designated airports. The bond is refunded upon timely departure, but forfeited in cases of overstay or asylum applications. consular officers determine individual bond amounts based on applicant circumstances.
The US government has justified the pilot program citing national security concerns and data from the Department of homeland Security indicating over 300,000 business and tourist visa holders overstayed their authorized periods in 2023 (See: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/05/2025-14826/visas-visa-bond-pilot-program).
Though,critics argue that the fees - added to the existing $185 visa cost – could discourage legitimate travel and negatively impact the US tourism economy,particularly in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mali has expressed its desire for ”fruitful cooperative relations” but maintains that the reciprocal measure against US citizens is necessary in the spirit of fairness.
These visa bonds represent the latest in a series of immigration measures employed by the US administration to pressure African nations into accepting deportees, including individuals who are not citizens of those countries.
Several governments have accepted expelled migrants in exchange for financial compensation or political concessions. others have faced repercussions for refusing. Burkina Faso experienced a complete suspension of visa services at its US Embassy after rejecting demands to accept third-country deportees, forcing citizens to seek applications in neighboring Togo. South Sudan initially had all visas revoked following a deportation dispute, later accepting eight individuals from Asia and Latin America. Eswatini agreed to receive up to 160 deportees in exchange for $5.1 million in US funding, while Ghana, Rwanda, and Uganda have also accepted expelled migrants under bilateral agreements, according to diplomatic sources.
