Phxt African Nation Strikes Back — Mali Now Demands $10,000 Deposit from Americans Applying for Visas

Mali has announced that U.S. citizens will now be required to post a $10,000 bond when applying for a visa to enter the country — a move made in retaliation for a similar measure imposed by the Trump administration.

According to a statement from Mali’s Foreign Ministry, cited by the Associated Press on October 14, the West African nation will demand that American travelers pay a bond of up to $10,000 when applying for entry visas. The decision comes in response to Washington’s recent announcement that, starting October 23, Malian citizens seeking U.S. tourist or business visas will also be required to post a similar deposit.

The Malian government condemned what it called a “unilateral decision” by the United States, warning that such actions undermine existing bilateral agreements on long-term and multiple-entry visas.

“In line with the principle of reciprocity, Mali has decided to implement a similar visa policy, imposing the same conditions and requirements on U.S. citizens as those applied to Malian nationals,” the statement said.

According to U.S. officials, the decision to require Malian citizens to post a bond when applying for a visa stems from several factors, including a high rate of visa overstays, shortcomings in verification and vetting procedures, and broader foreign policy considerations.

The bond policy is part of the “Visa Bond Pilot Program” introduced by former President Donald Trump’s administration, targeting seven African nations as part of efforts to “enforce commitments to protect U.S. borders and national security.” So far, Mali is the only country to have responded with a strong reciprocal measure.

Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger, has long grappled with instability fueled by insurgent groups, including factions linked to al-Qaeda and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

Since taking power following a 2021 coup, Mali’s military leadership has made a major geopolitical shift by expelling French forces and turning to Russia for security assistance in counterterrorism efforts. However, the security situation in Mali remains volatile, as extremist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda have intensified their attacks in recent months.

In early September, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin — an al-Qaeda affiliate — announced a blockade on all fuel shipments imported from neighboring countries. Analysts warn that this move could severely strain Mali’s fragile economy and place significant pressure on the military government.