Did The Malian Government Increase Visa Fee For U.S Citizens To $10,000?

A Facebook page, Wise Target Trendz has claimed that the Malian government, led by General Assimi Goïta is now charging 10,000 dollars as visa fee for American citizens intending to visit Mali, either for vacation or business. This claim was posted with a collage image of President Trump and his Malian counterpart,  and captioned:

“ Breaking News

Mali has imposed a $10,000 Visa Fee for Americans — just hours after the U.S. announced a $5,000 visa fee for Malians. Reports say the U.S. sanction came after Mali’s president rejected deportees from America, leading Donald Trump’s administration to retaliate. In a bold move, Mali fired back by doubling the fee. From now on, Americans will pay $10,000 to visit Mali . The president declared: > “We will not bow to intimidations again. Africa will not always be visa-free for them while Africans pay huge sums to get theirs.” Moral Lesson: Respect must go both ways — fairness in global relations begins when every nation values its own dignity. ”

When this report was published, the post had about 163,000 reactions, comments and shares. 

VERIFICATION

In August 2025, the U.S. initiated a pilot visa bond program that applies to business and tourist visa applicants (B-1/B-2) from certain countries. For those countries, consular officers may require the applicant to post a bond (deposit) of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as determined case by case. The Department of State listed the following countries on the pilot bond program; Mali, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, The Gambia, Malawi and Zambia.

The pilot is expected to take effect in Mali on October 23, 2025. This means that Malian nationals applying for U.S. B-1/B-2 visitor visas will be subject to this bond requirement. The bond is refundable if the visa holder abides by all conditions, for example, if the traveller departs within the authorised stay period, etc.

Mali’s Reciprocal Response

Mali’s Foreign Ministry announced it will impose a reciprocal visa bond requirement on U.S. citizens applying for tourist or business visas entering Mali. The required bond could be up to $10,000. Mali describes the move as following the principle of reciprocity, applying “the same conditions and requirements” to U.S. nationals that the U.S. has placed on Malian nationals.

The claim frames Mali’s measure as a “visa fee.” In reality, what is being imposed is a visa bond (deposit); a reciprocal response to the same policy from the U.S. This bond is refundable if the traveller meets their travel conditions and is similar to a financial guarantee, not a fee or charges.

CONCLUSION

The claim that the Malian government put the visa fees for American citizens intending to visit Mali at $10,000 is MISLEADING. The Malian government is imposing a visa bond, which is a deposit that may be refunded if the traveler meets their travel conditions, not a visa fee.