Mali is surprisingly one of the easiest West African countries to obtain a visa for. While you need to visit a diplomatic mission to get your visa, there are 39 currently in operation across the world and they are easy to work with. It is recommended to apply 1-2 months in advance of your trip, though there are some exceptions.
In order to apply for a visa, you will need a visa application form, which can be downloaded from the website of the Malian embassy you plan to visit. You’ll also need two passport photos, and a cashier’s check, money order, or cash to pay for your visa application fee. Prices vary from embassy to embassy for different nationalities, but you can expect to pay anywhere from €40-€200 EUR. You will also need to provide either a letter of invitation, or detailed notes about your travel plans including the purpose of your trip, your itinerary, and all hotel reservations for your entire stay in Mali. Once your visa is approved, you will receive a full page sticker in your passport, and you are ready to enter Mali.
If you do not have a Malian embassy near you, you might want to consider obtaining your visa in one of Mali’s neighbouring countries, such as Mauritania. Some report turnaround times at the embassy in Nouakchott to be as little as two hours, though others have given reports of two weeks, so it is best to check with the embassy ahead of time if you are banking on getting your visa right before your trip.
Note for US Citizens: As of October 2025, US citizens will need to pay a $10,000 visa bond to enter Mali. This was a reciprocal measure put in place after the US placed Mali on its visa bond list. However, the US removed Mali from that list several days later. It is likely that Mali will end the visa bond requirements for US citizens in turn, but no announcement has been made yet. As long as you follow all visa rules, this bond will be refunded after your visit. Talk to your embassy and follow their instructions to be sure you do not lose your money.
