The concept of reciprocity when it comes to entry requirements for travel is nothing new. One country might start requiring visas for visitors from a certain country, and then that country introduces a similar policy. Well, here’s an extreme example of that…
In this post:
Americans traveling to Mali will be required to post bond
Recently, the United States announced plans to require visitors from select countries to post bond in order to get a visa. In the spirit of reciprocity, the West African nation of Mali has announced plans to require passport holders from the United States to post a bond of up to $10,000 in order to get a business or tourist visa for the country.
The United States stated on Friday that it was imposing this bond requirement as part of Washington’s “commitment to protecting America’s borders and safeguarding US national security.” Then on Sunday, Mali’s foreign ministry said that since the bond had been imposed unilaterally, it decided to “establish an identical visa programme” for US citizens.
This obviously reflects a souring of relations between the two countries. Prior to this, US officials recently visited Mali to discuss counterterrorism cooperation and economic partnerships, including possible access to Mali’s gold and lithium reserves. Relations haven’t otherwise been very close since Mali’s 2021 coup, which moved the country closer to Russia.
These tit-for-tat visa requirements are nothing new
Obviously President Trump’s immigration and border policy is controversial, and people will have varying takes on it. The policy of requiring select visitors to post bond is based largely on visa overstay rates for visitors from those countries.
It’s one of the most extreme visa requirements we’ve seen from any country in the world, but that’s not surprising, given Trump’s approach toward immigration.
So it’s interesting to see a country take a reciprocal approach with such an extreme travel requirement. I can’t imagine there are many Americans overstaying their visa when visiting Mali. Still, the goal is clearly to push back against this policy. It’s not like many Americans vacation in Mali, so I’d imagine the demand for travel there is pretty inelastic.
This policy will probably most harm business travelers, those working for non-profits, and those with family in Mali. It’ll be interesting to see if Mali maintains this policy in the long run, or if it reverses course.
Bottom line
With the United States requiring visitors from select countries to post bond in order to get a visa, we’re now seeing a country introduce a reciprocal policy. If any American wants to get a visa for Mali, they’ll now have to post a bond of up to $10,000.
Reciprocal visa requirements between countries is nothing new. However, when you see one of the most extreme policies ever introduced, it’s also interesting to see that reciprocated.
Do you think Mali will keep this $10K bond requirement in place?
This is dumb.
Why not require $1M bond and show Trump who's the boss.
We’ve given Mali close to $2 billion dollars in Aid over the last 10 years and this is the thanks we get. Maybe it’s high time this country uses the aid money to actually help our poor and sick citizens. I know that concept will upset bleeding heart liberals but they can personally keep donating themselves, but I bet they won’t.
So, what you're saying is... you're in-favor of extending those ACA subsidies! Yay, we can re-open the government. Woo-hoo! Because, "actually help our poor and sick citizens," means doing that. Oh, you didn't mean what you say? Shoot. Yeah, that's why 'bleeding heart liberals' don't trust ya.
I’m actually fine with ACA for US citizens, not illegals like you guys want to.
Maybe Timbuktu isn't on too many people bucket lists.
I wonder how many US Citizens overstay their visas in Mali, or for that matter anywhere in the world, other than Leftists who declare they are moving to Canada?
I am guessing very few.....
When you stub your toe, do you blame 'leftists,' too? Your type often diagnoses others with 'TDS,' when, in the past, admit it, you had 'ODS' (Obama derangement syndrome), which literally sounds like 'odious'... how fitting.
Ben, if flying Sky Mali is really your dream, then USD 10.000.- should not stop you... :-)
Several nations have adopted a reciprocal approach with regard to visas and immigration policies. While Mali may not receive many US visitors, another country that believes in strict reciprocity, Brazil, does have a huge amount of US tourists yearly. I’m much more worried about escalating battles with Brazil than with Mali.
So, telling someone to go to Timbuktu is now a request for them to go broke in addition to go to the ends of the Earth.
This is such a niche market that I find myself wondering "And what if nobody cares?" about some of these actions?
What is so controversial about President Trump’s immigration and border policy? We have things called Laws. People who over stay visas and enter the country without the proper documents have broken the immigration laws of the United States. This is a good move by Mali this will lower the risk of Americans being kidnapped
So true. Laws... like speed limits. Next time you drive over the speed limit, remember, you, too, are now 'an illegal.' Someone prepare the canon; we have another summary execution lined-up!
Time for the west to ban these people from entering western countries. They contribute little to nothing and despite the billions in aid they’ve received, very little have they progressed.
You'd think folks who frequent travel blogs would be more open to the free movement of people, ideas, and commerce, but, no, some such as yourself make your entire identity about hating 'the other.' How sad. (but, but, people from Norway are just fine. Yeesh.)
Friends, in the USA, we've had a broken immigration system for a while; bipartisan reforms are the answer and sorely needed. Rubio and the 'Gang of Eight' tried in...
You'd think folks who frequent travel blogs would be more open to the free movement of people, ideas, and commerce, but, no, some such as yourself make your entire identity about hating 'the other.' How sad. (but, but, people from Norway are just fine. Yeesh.)
Friends, in the USA, we've had a broken immigration system for a while; bipartisan reforms are the answer and sorely needed. Rubio and the 'Gang of Eight' tried in 2013, yet these days, as Secretary of State, he's all-but given up on that, and adopted hardline cruelty, instead.
There was S.4361, the Border Act of 2024, another attempt, but #47 blocked it. Alas, the football gets thrown some more, and people keep getting hurt. So much for 'love thy neighbor.' Oh, and good luck finding anyone to pick and process your crops, work at your meat processing plant, etc. (We probably should prosecute those employers, no?)
This is a good move because Mali is a dangerous country with a high risk of being kidnapped for ransom. Discourage US tourists!
How dare Mali do to us what we are doing to them. The insanity must end.
This bond is absolutely necessary to fight all those US American economic refugees staying behind in Mali illegally!
When I travel and meet well-travelled Americans, most do not support the stuff the White House is doing. But American supporters of the new policies do not value foreign public opinion highly (if they even think about it at all).
Is the USA entirely immune to costly unintended consequences?
Politician's logic:
Something must be done.
This is something.
Therefore we must do it.
Pro-Russian Mali wants to seek a revenge on the US when it is having some closest ties to Russia.
Friendly fire.
It would be interesting to see what side would OMAAT audience support.
For once I am inclined to give your post a serious nod Mason, old bean …. the liberals vs leftists. Come along now Ben, dream up an article to promote such a debate …. :-)
With such stupid policies, no wonder why these countries remain under developed
Are you referring to Mali?
Touche
Lol. No one wants to go there anyway. I hope Trump ratchets up the tariffs on them and completely bans their citizens from entering the US.
Oh no! My 'tourist' visit to Mali is ruined...
Why no hard numbers of visitors to Mali?
Probably because you can count on your hand the number of visitors.
The EU should do this. Could make vacationing in southern Europe enjoyable again
"The EU should do this."
Why would this make vacationing in southern Europe enjoyable again?
Presumably because fewer Americans would travel there, thereby reducing crowding
Note the US bond program is/will be in place for seven African countries. If the other countries apply reciprocal requirements, then tourism from the US will be affected. It will be interesting to watch if a country such as Tanzania is willing to disrupt tourism which is such an economic driver there.
If you are truly an 'Africa Traveler,' then, you'd know the primary destinations for US tourists to that continent include: Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, (and the Seychelles, Mauritius, if you include those). Basically, Pyramids, markets, safaris, (and beaches). None of those countries would do something so silly as to threaten their tourism, especially when those visitors are often very high-end (on-average, $1,000-2,500/person/night on safari).
Mali is hardly...
If you are truly an 'Africa Traveler,' then, you'd know the primary destinations for US tourists to that continent include: Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, (and the Seychelles, Mauritius, if you include those). Basically, Pyramids, markets, safaris, (and beaches). None of those countries would do something so silly as to threaten their tourism, especially when those visitors are often very high-end (on-average, $1,000-2,500/person/night on safari).
Mali is hardly on anyone's bucket list, unless you're doing the 'visit all countries' thing. Most US visitors to West Africa are visiting family, working in oil/gas (Nigeria), serving with an NGO, or working for the State Department (sorry, they got defunded, but for a skeleton crew, which, arguably was a horrible idea, soft power, etc.), or are a military contractor (hush-hush, not the CIA, no...). Totally unrelated, but anyone see Lord of War or Blood Diamond, lately?
Wonder how many Americans will be able to point to Mali on a map - or even put it on the right continent? :-)
That being said I certainly can understand the need to signal reciprocity in the current climate
Virtue signaling pearl clutching is not your best look, but you do you.
@ Jay -- Sorry, which part of my post do you interpret as "pearl clutching?"
I'm convinced that <5% of the people who use the phrase "virtue signaling" actually know what it means.
You got me scared with the picture of Ethiopian Airlines as I am flying them next week!
Americans going to Mali... haha haha.
There are a large number of ‘American contractors’ who transit through Mali, don’t you know …. :-)
Not for many years…..
When Wagner moved in, the West was sidelined.
That is precisely why there is still a steady flow of contractors.
Oh I do know as I have transited through Mali. This does not change the fact that Mali IS a giant shithole. To put it into terms that Americans who are not frequent international travelers can understand, "It's even worse than New Jersey."
Impressive. You're one of very few (assuming you're an American) to actually do so. Parts of New Jersey are lovely, so I'm confident there's 'beauty' to be found, even in Mali. Still, given the conditions there, I'm not interested in finding out just yet.