Mali Travel Guide

Mali — Passport and Visa Information

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Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Other EU	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
British	Yes	Yes	Yes

Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months, except the following:
(a) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist, Business and Transit: single entry: US$80 (three months); multiple entry: US$110 (three months); US$200 (six months); US$370 (one year). The fee for nationals of the USA is US$131, regardless of the length of stay.

Validity

One month from the date of entry, although visas can be extended in Mali, either in Bamako at the Immigration Service or at any police station. Visas may be obtained up to three months in advance of traveling to Mali.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Important Addresses.

Working Days Required

Five. Visas can be issued more quickly (in three days) for an additional fee of US$10.

Travel Warnings

There is a high threat from terrorism in Mali. Terrorists have been involved in kidnaps in the region and further kidnap attacks are likely. A group of European tourists were kidnapped in the area of the Mali-Niger border near Menaka on 22 January 2009 and a British national, who was part of this group, was later murdered. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers.

Travelers are advised against all travel to the provinces of Mali north of the River Niger from Mopti. This includes the provinces of Kidal, Gao, Koulikoro (north of Mourdiah), Segou (north of Niono), Tombouctou (including the city of Tombouctou (Timbuktu)), areas bordering Mauritania east of Nioro in the Kayes province, and the north of Moptio province (north of the town of Douentza).

There have been reports of kidnap threats against westerners attending festivals in Mali.

There have been incidents of armed banditry, carjacking and kidnap in northern Mali. Extremist Algerian groups in the northern region present potential risks for travelers. On 3 January 2008, four Italian nationals were robbed at gunpoint in Araouane, north of Timbuktu. Bandits and smugglers are particularly active across the Mali-Algeria, Mali-Guinea and Mali-Niger borders and constitute a real risk to travelers, especially after dark.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

Medical facilities are very limited, although Bamako’s hospitals are recognized as being of good standard and emergency services in the city are available 24 hours. Health insurance (including adequate medical evacuation) is therefore essential. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for health care services.