Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| CW-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| CW-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months A |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months A |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| H-1B | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-2B | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months A |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months A |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| L-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months A |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months A |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| R-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
General Document Information
Many documents are still primarily handwritten or typed on carbon paper, then tracked via municipal ledgers, which are also handwritten. There are numerous offices and individuals authorized to issue birth and marriage certificates in Mali, and a variety of different official formats for these documents. Many civil documents issued in Bamako prior to 1991 are unavailable.
General Issuing Authority Information
Civil offices at the Commune level issue civil documents such as marriage, birth and death certificates, and “Cartes NINA,” the national identification number card. Courts issue other family law-related documents, such as divorce, custody and adoption orders, as well as criminal/arrest records. The National Police issue passports.
Available
Fees: No fee for original; CFA 100 per certified copy.
Document Name: Birth Certificate or Le Jugement Suppletif (court declaration)
Issuing Authority: The civil office of the Commune where the applicant was born maintains the original document. Certified copies may be obtained from any civil office, upon presentation of the original.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue seal of the commune.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil officer.
Registration Criteria: Malian birth certificates are issued only to those Malians born in maternity centers, or whose birth is registered with a civil office within 30 days. After 30 days, a court order (jugement suppletif) can be issued in lieu of a birth certificate.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should contact the civil office of the commune where the applicant was born or obtained their Le Jugement Suppletif.
French nationals born before January 1, 1960 may obtain birth certificate copies from the Direction des Archives de France, Outre-Mer, 27 rue Oudinot, Paris. French nationals born after that date in Mali whose births were registered with the Consulate General in Bamako may obtain copies from Le Service de l'Etat Civil du Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres, 7 Allees Brancas, Nantes (Loire Atlantique), France.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternative documents
Exceptions: In cases where an original was lost or the birth was not registered at a hospital, applicants may obtain a court order allowing them to obtain a birth certificate from a civil office.
Comments: Many Malians only have a court declaration with an approximate date of birth.
Available
Fees: No fee for original; CFA 100 per certified copy.
Document Name: Death Certificate or Certificat de Décès
Issuing Authority: Civil offices
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue seal of the commune
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil officer
Registration Criteria: Deaths are registered by presenting a death declaration from the relevant hospital.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should contact the civil office of the commune where the death occurred.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: The fees for a marriage certificate are combined with the cost of the marriage ceremony – fees vary by locality and day of week, for example, CFA 20,000 on business days and CFA 26,000 on weekends. Certified copies are available for CFA 100.
Document Name: Marriage Certificate or Acte de Mariage
Issuing Authority: Civil Office of the commune where the marriage took place.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue seal of the commune
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil officer
Registration Criteria: Marriage registration must occur at least two weeks before the marriage. Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants can contact the civil office of the commune in which the marriage took place for certificates of marriage that took place after 1962. French nationals may obtain marriage certificates for marriages occurring prior to 1962 from the Direction des Archives de France, Outre-Mer, 27 rue Oudinot, Paris. French nationals born after that date in Mali whose births were registered with the Consulate General in Bamako may obtain copies from Le Service de l'Etat Civil du Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres, 7 Allees Brancas, Nantes (Loire Atlantique), France.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: A “carnet de famille” can be obtained from the civil offices; this document contains the same information as the Acte de Mariage.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Prior to 1962, marriage by a civil official was not required. Consequently, a limited number of Malians have jugements de mariages only. These documents have the same validity as marriage certificates, but are not very common.
Available
Fees: CFA 3,000
Document Name: Divorce Decree
Issuing Authority: The court of the commune in which the divorce occurred or residence of the participants. Each Commune has its own court (Court of Commune 1, etc.).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue seal of the commune
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Chief clerk of the court of the relevant commune.
Registration Criteria: At least one party must file to register the divorce, pay the appropriate fees, and provide the original marriage certificate.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants may contact the court that issued the divorce decree.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: Adoption filing fees are CFA 7,500 and the certificate fee is CFA 6,000
Document Name: Adoption decree
Issuing Authority: Direction Nationale de la Femme et de l’Enfant.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal of the Direction Nationale de la Femme et de l’Enfant.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: National Director of the Direction Nationale de la Femme et de l’Enfant.
Registration Criteria: Adoptive parents must file to register the adoption, pay any relevant fees, and satisfy the court’s requirements for adoptive parents.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants may contact the Direction Nationale de la Femme et de l’Enfant directly.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Adoption of children in Mali is currently restricted to Malian adoptive parents only and does not meet the U.S. definition of a “full and final adoption” for immigration purposes.
Available
Fees: CFA 2,000
Document Name: National ID Card
Issuing Authority: Commissariat de Police and the Gendarmerie Locale.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue seal of the commune.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Commissaire de Police or the Commandant de Brigade.
Registration Criteria: Applicants should provide original birth certificates or expired National ID Cards, three photos, postal stamp, and pay the relevant fee.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should visit the relevant office and provide original birth certificates or expired National ID Cards, three photos, postal stamp, and pay the relevant fee.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: Carte NINA (National Identification Number Card)
Exceptions: The carte NINA may be used in place of the National ID Card, if necessary.
Comments: None
Available
Fees:
Document Name:
Issuing Authority:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal of the chief clerk of the relevant court for Malians born in Mali. For Malians born abroad or Non-Malians, the seal may be the seal of the chief prosecutor and the seal of the chief clerk of the Mali Court of Appeals.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining:
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: Varies depending on amount of pages, but is usually between CFA 6,000 and CFA 7,000
Document Name: Court Record
Issuing Authority: Court of the Commune
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants who require a court record should contact the local court where the proceedings took place
Certified Copies Available: There are no certified copies available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Unavailable: There are no specific military records in Mali. Anyone in the military would request a police report from the courts instead.
Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Regular, Service and Diplomatic passports.
Fees: A regular passport costs CFA 55,000. Service and Diplomatic passports are free.
Document Name: Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (service and diplomatic) and Police des Frontieres (regular).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal of the Chef de la Division Documents de Voyage.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Commissaire Principal
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: National ID, Carte NINA, birth certificate, old passport (if applicable) plus fees.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Malian passports are biometric.
Other Documents Available: There are no other documents available
The following civil documents applying to French nationals prior to 1960 may be obtained from the Direction des Archives de France, Section Outre-Mer, 27 rue Oudinot, Paris:
Civil documents applying to French nationals after January 1, 1960 may be obtained from Le Service de l'Etat Civil du Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres, 7 Allees Brancas, NANTES (Loire Atlantique), France.
Lebanese citizens who have recorded civil acts at the Lebanese Embassy in Bamako and have since left may obtain copies of these records by contacting the Lebanese government through the Lebanese missions where they reside or through personal representatives in Beirut.
The most reliable education records are national standardized test results. Students generally take standardized tests during their primary education from grades 1 to 9 (DEF), Secondary or High School (Baccalaureate) and Vocational school (BT2 for those who “aged out” of high school) before they go to the University. The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) does not record these results. A certified verification may be retrieved anytime from the National Exam Center (CNECE) and results for recent years are available online.
Post Title: U.S. Embassy Bamako
Address: ACI 2000, Rue 243, Porte 297 B.P. 34
Bamako, Mali
Phone Number: Tel: (223) 2070 2300
Email: consularbamako@state.gov or ACSBamako@state.gov
Comments / Additional Information: None
The consular section provides all nonimmigrant visas for Mali. Immigrant visas for Malians are processed at U.S. Embassy Dakar.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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