Donald Trump’s administration removes Mali from its KSh 1.3m visa bond list, retains Tanzania

• Posted on October 28, 2025October 28, 2025
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the US declared that Malians would have to post a $10,000 (KSh 1.3 million) bond beginning Thursday, October 23, 2025, before securing visas to travel to the US.

Through the visa-bond programme, US consular officials demand that qualified visa applicants post a refundable bond to guarantee their timely return home after their visit to the country.

Mali accused Washington of unfairly targeting its citizens.

On Saturday, October 11, 2025, Bamako enacted a reciprocal measure that, starting on Sunday, October 12, US citizens must post a $10,000 bond to obtain a visa to travel to Mali.

The US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, has released an updated list, without Mali, on the day when the policy was set to take effect.

Which countries did the US retain on its visa bond list?

However, citizens of six African countries, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, The Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia, remain subject to the visa-bond requirement.

Citing US Department of Homeland Security data on B-1/B-2 visa overstay rates, the department stated that the programme is based on INA Section 221(g)(3) and the temporary final rule regulating the pilot.

“Any citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for $5,000 (KSh 646,450), $10,000 (KSh 1.3 million), or $15,000 (KSh 1.9 million). The amount is determined at the time of the visa interview.

The applicant must also submit a Department of Homeland Security Form I-352. Applicants must agree to the terms of the bond through the Department of the Treasury’s online payment platform. This requirement applies regardless of place of application,” it stated.

Will Kenya be affected?

Geopolitical economist Aly-khan Satchu told TUKO.co.ke that Kenya could be spared in future if the US updates the list to include other nations.

“The 10% tariff (that is lower than that of other countries) that was imposed on Kenya confirms that Nairobi has some important and effective leverage inside the US administration.

However, what we do know is that the administration has taken a whole new approach to Africa and a coercive one, so betting on outcomes at this point is a fool’s errand,” Satchu explained.

What is the cost of the US integrity fee?

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that strict immigration regulations put in place by the Trump administration make it challenging to get a US visa.

The introduction of the visa bond was followed by the $250 (KSh 32,320) visa integrity fee that foreign visitors must pay on top of their visa fees.

The cost will be reimbursed if travellers adhere to the conditions of their visa.