How to get a Mali visa from South Africa

Visa types, fees, processing times and application requirements for South African passport holders travelling to Mali.

Visa types & fees

2 visa options for travelling to Mali.

Processing time8 - 15 days

Validity90 days

Processing time5-10 days

Validity30 days

Documents South African applicants need to provide.

Properly filled and signed visa application form is needed.
If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the consent form.
Valid South African passport with at least 3 months validity following departure from Mali is required. The passport should have at least two blank pages in the visa section.
Two 2x2" front view passport photographs on white background which is not older than 3 months should be provided.
Travel itinerary.
Proof of accommodation.
Proof of financial support for the duration of stay.
Medical insurance.
Original certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever.
Proof of return flight ticket to South Africa.
Travel document.
Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.

The tourist visa is for those people taking a vacation in the country. The visa also allows you to visit friends and relatives.
You can’t take up paid employment in the country with this type of visa and a work permit is needed before taking up any job in the country.
Minors should ensure they have the original copy of their birth certificate during the application process.
Letter of invitation from your host in the country with the home address of the host or copy of your hotel reservation in Mali is needed.
It is illegal to overstay upon the expiration of your visa.
It is valid for 30 days.
Holders of this visa are allowed multiple entry into the country.
The visa costs R510 for an ordinary visa and will be processed in five working days while the express visa costs R810 and will be processed in two working days.
Original certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever must be provided.

This visa is for those who intend to visit Mali for the purpose of facilitating business deals.
Holders of this visa can attend business meetings, conferences and sign business contracts but they are not allowed to take up any paid work during their time in the country.
You will need to present a letter of invitation from the company you are having business with in the country. The address of the company should be detailed in the letter.
The registration certificate of the company you are dealing with should also be provided.
A letter from your employer on the company letterhead stating your employment status, purpose of visit & approval of your business leave is required. It should also include the duration of your stay.
If you are a minor, an original copy of your birth certificate should be provided.
It takes a period of 15 days to process the visa and it ceases to be valid after 90 days.
Detailed contact information of whoever is financially responsible for and/or sponsoring your trip must be provided.

Mali embassy & visa application centers in South Africa.

Address876 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria

Phone+27 12 342 0676

Some parts of Mali are safe but travelers are advised to stay away from the northern parts.

The Malian economy is largely dependent on agriculture as the rural population in Mali engage in subsistence agriculture.

Mali was colonized by the French in 1892.

The official language in Mali is French.

Mali has a hot desert climate with scarce rainfall.

Visa fees and rules change often. Confirm the latest Mali visa requirements with an official embassy or consulate before booking travel.