Mali has introduced visa bond requirements for United States citizens, mirroring the financial obligations recently imposed by Washington on Malian travelers. This move is a reciprocal response to what Mali’s government views as a breach of bilateral agreements.
The Foreign Ministry in Bamako announced the new measures on Sunday, following the implementation of a U.S. policy that requires Malian nationals applying for business or tourist visas to post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, effective October 23. Mali claims this policy violates a 2005 agreement ensuring long-term visa access between the two countries and asserts that it will apply similar financial barriers to U.S. passport holders under the principle of reciprocity.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Mali emphasized its commitment to cooperation with the United States in combating irregular immigration while respecting the law and human dignity. The decision reflects growing tensions between the two nations, particularly as the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump has increasingly used visa restrictions as a tool to pressure African governments on immigration enforcement and deportation cooperation.
Under a one-year pilot program, seven African countries, including Mali, are subject to these bond requirements. Other nations added to the initiative include Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tanzania, with Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia having been included earlier. Travelers subjected to the bonds must pay an upfront fee through a U.S. Treasury Department portal and can only enter and exit the United States through three designated airports. The funds are refunded if visitors leave on time, but are forfeited for overstays or asylum applications. Bond amounts are determined by consular officers based on individual circumstances.
The U.S. government has justified the program on grounds of national security, citing data from the Department of Homeland Security that showed over 300,000 business and tourist visa holders overstayed their authorized periods in 2023. However, critics argue that the additional fees—on top of standard $185 visa costs—may discourage legitimate travel and negatively impact the U.S. tourism sector, especially ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mali expressed a desire for “fruitful cooperative relations” but stated that the visa bond measure is being implemented against U.S. citizens traveling to the country as an act of reciprocity. The policy is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to use immigration measures as leverage to encourage African nations to accept deportees, including individuals not originally from those countries.
Several African governments have complied with these demands, often in exchange for financial compensation or political concessions. Others have faced consequences for non-cooperation. For example, Burkina Faso had all visa services suspended at its U.S. Embassy after refusing to accept third-country deportees, forcing residents to seek visas in neighboring Togo. South Sudan initially revoked all visa services for passport holders due to a deportation dispute but later accepted eight individuals from Asia and Latin America.
Eswatini agreed to receive up to 160 deportees in exchange for $5.1 million in U.S. funding, while Ghana, Rwanda, and Uganda have also accepted expelled migrants under bilateral agreements, according to diplomatic sources. These developments underscore the complex interplay between immigration policies, diplomatic negotiations, and international relations.
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