Embassy of the United States Bamako, Mali

Nationals of most countries, including Mali, must have a valid visa for travel to the United States, even if you are just changing planes. Only a U.S. consular officer may issue a U.S. visa. Most visa applicants must have an interview with a U.S. consular officer before he or she can determine visa eligibility. 

Application Procedure

Nonimmigrant Visa Interviews

Monday - Thursday:  7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Effective July 1, 2009, all applications for Nonimmigrant Visas should be made on line on the Embassy’s web site: http://mali.usembassy.gov/visas.html

1. Determine visa classification
Review the visa types to determine the appropriate visa classification. Selecting the wrong visa category on the DS-160 online application can significantly delay the visa process.

2. Pay Application Processing Fee                                              Applicants will need their receipt number from the $160 non-immigrant visa fee paid at any branch of Banque Internationale pour le Mali (BIM) in order to make an appointment.  Please note that duplicative use of the receipt number in the appointment system will result in an automatic deletion of the appointment(s) without notice to the applicant.

Visa issuance fee: Additionally, if the visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee, if applicable. Please consult the Visa Reciprocity Tables to find out if you must pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee and what the fee amount is.

Other Fees for Certain Visa Applicants: Some visa applicants applying for certain visa classifications must also pay a fraud prevention and detection fee and may need to pay the Border Security Act Fee. More information on Other Fees. 

3. Complete an Application Form
Since 15 June 2010, the Consular Section can no longer accept paper applications.  Applicants for nonimmigrant visas must complete the new DS-160 interactive online application form, available at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv.  

Note: The DS-160 online application form applies to all nonimmigrant visa categories, with the exception of K fiancé visa applicants.  Until further notice, K visa applicants should continue to use the DS-156K (PDF). Once an on-line application has been submitted, there are no quick and easy ways to correct or add information at the visa interview. Significant errors in your application, or information incorrectly marked as “Not Applicable,” “Nil,” or “Don’t Know,” may result in your application being rejected at the time of your interview.  This will require you to resubmit the entire application and to reschedule your interview appointment.

After electronically submitting your application form, print the confirmation page.  You will need to bring the confirmation page to your visa interview. See an example of a confirmation page (PDF).  

4. Upload a Photo 
Applicants must upload a photo in order to submit the DS-160 online application.  If you are unable to upload a photo, complete the remainder of the application form and bring a photo to the American Embassy on the day of your interview.  Please review the Department of State's website for Guidelines for Producing High Quality Photographs for U.S. Travel Documents - for Visa Online Applications.
In general, the applicant's head, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom and from hairline side-to-side.  It is preferable that ears be exposed.  Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and even then, may not cover any portion of the applicant's face.  Sunglasses or any other wear which detracts from the face are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example).  Digitally reproduced photographs must be reproduced without discernible pixels or dot patterns. Photocopied photographs are NOT accepted. 

5. Make an Appointment   
Once you have completed the above steps, make your interview appointment.  You must complete your DS-160 before scheduling the appointment.  The appointment system will require you to enter the barcode number on the DS-160 confirmation page in order to proceed to the appointment calendar. The current wait time for interview appointments can be found here.

If there are no appointments available, please try back another time. Individuals may only request an expedited visa appointment for urgent reasons, such as for medical, educational, or humanitarian purposes. Expedited appointment requests for the convenience of a traveler will not be approved. 

6. Interview with Consular Officer
On the day of the interview, arrive at the Consular Section of the Embassy 30 minutes before your interview time. Please plan on spending up to 3 at the Embassy. Bring all required documentation and additional supporting documentation with you to the interview. 

7. Plan for Administrative Processing
Administrative processing can take several weeks, so all applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of travel plans.

Minimum Required Documentation

Each applicant for a non immigrant visa must submit these forms and documentation as explained below.  Many visa classifications require other documentation; please reference the specific information about the type of visa you are applying for. 

• The confirmation sheet of the DS-160 form (this is obtained after completing and submitting the form)
• A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States
• One (1) 2x2 photograph. See the required photo format explained in Nonimmigrant Photograph Requirements.

Do not have supporting documentation faxed, e-mailed, or sent to the Embassy; it will be deleted or thrown away. Bring all supporting documentation with you for the interview.

Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications

As the application for each visa type may vary, please see the detailed information below for each type of visa classification:

• Official (Diplomats, Government Officials, or Employees of Certain Organizations)
• Business Visitors and Tourists
• Students
• Exchange Visitor
• Medical Treatment
• Entertainers, Artists, Athletes, and Temporary workers
• Other Visa Classifications

Failure to follow these procedures may delay the completion of your case, so please read carefully!