The United States removed Mali from its visa bond requirement list after Bamako threatened to impose reciprocal fees on American travelers. The State Department's updated roster no longer includes the West African nation among six countries where visitors must post refundable deposits reaching 15,000 dollars.
Washington initially added Mali to the program on Oct. 8, with enforcement starting Oct. 23. Mali responded on Oct. 11 by announcing 10,000-dollar bonds for U.S. citizens seeking entry. The American government removed Mali from its requirements on Oct. 23, without providing a reason for the reversal.
The bond system targets nations with elevated visa overstay rates and applies to business and tourist applicants from Malawi, Zambia, The Gambia, Tanzania, Mauritania and Sao Tome and Principe. Consular officers can demand guarantees between 5,000 and 15,000 dollars from qualified applicants. Mali's foreign ministry has not announced whether it will cancel its own visitor fees to the United States following Washington's policy change.
Washington initially added Mali to the program on Oct. 8, with enforcement starting Oct. 23. Mali responded on Oct. 11 by announcing 10,000-dollar bonds for U.S. citizens seeking entry. The American government removed Mali from its requirements on Oct. 23, without providing a reason for the reversal.
The bond system targets nations with elevated visa overstay rates and applies to business and tourist applicants from Malawi, Zambia, The Gambia, Tanzania, Mauritania and Sao Tome and Principe. Consular officers can demand guarantees between 5,000 and 15,000 dollars from qualified applicants. Mali's foreign ministry has not announced whether it will cancel its own visitor fees to the United States following Washington's policy change.
