Mali Imposes $10,000 Visa Bond on U.S. Citizens in Reciprocal Move
Mali has announced that U.S. citizens will now be required to post a refundable bond of up to $10,000 before being granted business or tourist visas.
The decision mirrors a similar visa policy recently imposed by the United States on several African nations, including Mali.
In a statement, Mali’s Foreign Ministry said the measure was taken in response to Washington’s “unilateral” action. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako explained that the American visa bond system is meant to protect national borders and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
The change comes despite recent efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations. In July, U.S. officials visited Mali to discuss counterterrorism cooperation and explore investment opportunities in the country’s gold and lithium sectors.
Credit: DW Africa