GoMali Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Individuals holding a private ordinary passport entering Mali must apply for a visa in advance.

2、 According to the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Mali on Mutual Exemption of Visa Requirements for Diplomatic and Official Passport Personnel, Chinese citizens holding valid diplomatic, official or official ordinary passports and Malian citizens holding valid diplomatic or official passports are exempt from visa requirements for entry, exit or transit in the other country for a period not exceeding 90 days from the date of entry. Citizens of both parties who wish to stay in the territory of the other country for more than 90 days or engage in activities such as work, study, settlement, news reporting, etc. that require prior approval from the competent authorities of that country, should apply for a visa before entering that country. In such cases, a personal passport with a valid visa must be presented upon entry. All foreign citizens coming to Malaysia are required to carry a yellow skin epidemic prevention manual. After arriving in Mali, if you want to overstay, you can apply for visa extension procedures at the Mali Immigration Police Station.

3、 The information of the Embassy of Mali in China and the Consulate General in Guangzhou is as follows:

Address of the Embassy of Mali in China: No. 8, 4th Street, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Phone: 010-65321704, 010-65325530

Fax: 010-65321618, 010-65320875

The Consulate General of Mali in Guangzhou (including Guangdong Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Fujian Province, and Hainan Province) is located at Room 2201, Guangsheng Building, 228 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Commercial goods entering Mali need to be declared through customs agents. Non commercial goods with a value not exceeding 250000 CFA francs (approximately RMB 3000) that do not belong to the tax-free category shall be subject to direct customs tax, while those exceeding 250000 CFA francs shall be declared and picked up by customs agents. Carrying foreign exchange equivalent to more than 1 million CFA francs upon entry requires customs declaration, while carrying foreign exchange equivalent to no more than 2 million CFA francs upon exit is allowed.

Personal carry on items are exempt from tax, with the following limits: personal clothing and jewelry, 1000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 2 kilograms of tobacco, 2 different models of cameras and 2 rolls of film, 1 video recorder and 2 videotapes, 1 projector, 1 radio, 1 DVD player or 1 high fidelity sound system, 25 CDs, 1 tape recorder and 2 cassette tapes, 1 camera and 2 videotapes, 1 computer and 1 box of CDs, 1 bicycle or electric bike, 1 fishing rod, 1 telescope.

If there is no special need, please avoid bringing food into the country as it may be confiscated by Malian customs. Weapons, ammunition, narcotics, drugs, and nerve drugs entering the country require customs clearance. Carrying antiques out of Mali requires an export permit, and carrying black wood carvings out of Mali requires proof from relevant Malaysian authorities.

According to the latest requirements, all personnel entering Mali must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate (yellow book), and bring pets such as cats and dogs for customs declaration and relevant epidemic prevention and quarantine.

Residency and Naturalization

To apply for a long-term residency visa in Mali, one must provide the application form, passport, and two identification photos to the Malian Immigration Police, with an annual fee of 180000 CFA francs.

According to Malian law, the following basic conditions must be met when applying for citizenship in Mali: a declaration of Malian citizenship oath; Adult or unsupervised young children; Good conduct; Mental soundness; Not imprisoned for more than one year; Already integrated into Malian society.

In addition to the above conditions, obtaining Malian citizenship also requires one of the following conditions: being adopted by a Malian citizen; Marrying a Malian citizen; Children born to foreign parents in Mali who continue to reside in Mali for five years or more after reaching the age of 18; Work legally in Mali and reside for more than 10 years.

Mali currently has 4 red (extremely high-risk) areas, while the rest of the areas are orange (high-risk). Specifically, as follows:

1、 Red areas: Mopti, Gao, Kidal, and Tumbutu, a total of four major regions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens not to travel to the above-mentioned areas in Mali in the near future. Personnel and institutions in the area should evacuate or transfer to safe areas as soon as possible. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.                                                                        

2、 Orange region: Other regions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens to be cautious when traveling to other areas of Mali in the near future. Local personnel and institutions are closely monitoring the situation, maintaining high vigilance, strengthening security precautions and emergency preparedness, and ensuring personal and property safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.                                                         

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

Since 2012, the security situation in Mali has continued to deteriorate, with ongoing conflicts between northern tribes and armed groups, frequent activities of regional terrorist organizations, and a trend of terrorist activities covering the entire Mali from north to south. The capital Bamako has also been targeted by terrorist attacks several times. In addition, since June 2020, the conflict between opposition religious leaders and the Malaysian government has intensified. The former has repeatedly called on the public to organize anti-government demonstrations and marches demanding the president's resignation, causing some casualties among the people. On August 18, 2020, a military coup occurred in Mali, in which the coup forces overthrew the then President Keita and Prime Minister Sisi, took over the country's political power, produced a transitional president and vice president, established a transitional government and a national transitional council (assuming temporary parliamentary functions). At the end of May 2021, Mali experienced political turmoil once again, and transitional President Ndo and Prime Minister Vane were forced to resign. On June 7th, former interim vice president Goita officially became interim president. Due to dissatisfaction with the slow progress of the transition process, in January 2022, the Western Community and the West African Economic and Monetary Union announced sanctions against Malaysia, including the closure of land and air borders and the freezing of Malaysian assets. On July 3, 2022, the Western Community announced the lifting of some sanctions against Malaysia. On July 22, 2022, the Kati military camp located on the outskirts of Bamako was the first suicide attack by Islamic armed terrorists. On June 30, 2023, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 2690, announcing the termination of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Mali from July 1 and its withdrawal from Mali by December 31, 2023. On September 25, 2023, the transitional government of Mali announced the postponement of the presidential elections originally scheduled for February 2024.

Due to political and security risks, Chinese citizens are advised to travel to Malaysia with caution and avoid high-risk areas such as the Mali Niger Burkina Faso border and central northern Mali. Personnel already in Malaysia should strengthen their safety precautions, ensure their own safety, and strictly abide by the laws, regulations, and customs of the host country. In recent times, the security situation in Mali has deteriorated, with frequent cases of kidnapping, robbery, theft, etc. Overseas Chinese and businesses in Mali need to attach great importance to security work.

natural disaster

Mali's hot season is extremely hot and dry, with the highest temperature reaching over 50 degrees Celsius. There is a large temperature difference between day and night in the north, and the lowest temperature during the cool season is not less than 14 degrees Celsius. June to October is the rainy season, with concentrated precipitation and frequent thunderstorms, making it prone to floods.

FDA

Mali's municipal drinking water is relatively safe, but the development level of the food industry is low, refrigeration conditions are poor, and food is prone to spoilage. Therefore, attention should be paid to high-temperature sterilization and disinfection, and eating less raw and cold food to prevent intestinal diseases. Most local restaurants have poor hygiene conditions and try not to eat fast food sold by roadside stalls.

Urgent Help

First aid: 15; Police and road traffic accidents: 17; Fire alarm: 18; Alarm hotline: 80331 (within Bamako city) or 80333 (throughout Mali); Police emergency hotline: 80001114; Alarm hotline: 80001115. In case of emergency, emergency calls may not be answered properly.

The embassy's consular hotline in Mali is 00223-78110040.

air traffic

There is no direct flight between Mali and China, and international air travel between China and Mali requires layovers in Paris, Addis Ababa, Istanbul, and other places. The main international airport in Mali is Modibo Keta Senou International Airport, located in the southern suburbs of Bamako, which can accommodate large passenger planes for takeoff and landing. Currently, it only has direct flights to 14 cities including Istanbul, Paris, Addis Ababa, Casablanca, Algiers, Tunis, Dakar, Abidjan, Lom é, Libreville, Ougou, Cotonou, Nouakchott, and Conakry.

land transport

Road transportation accounts for 90% of Mali's transportation volume. Bamako is connected to the major cities of Abidjan, Lom é, and Conakry in neighboring countries by highways. You must have a local driver's license to drive. Malian vehicles drive on the right, with priority given to vehicles on the main road, and traffic rules are basically the same as in China. Highway transportation costs are expensive, accounting for 35% of the cost of goods.

The total length of Mali's national railway is 728 kilometers, and the Bamako Dakar railway in Mali is an important freight transportation channel. On June 9, 2023, the railway from Kaye to Bamako resumed operation.

water communication

The Niger River and Senegal River are the inland waterways for navigation in Mali, but waterway transportation is underdeveloped due to factors such as drought, desertification, and siltation of the river, resulting in a continuous reduction in navigation time. In addition, the ships of Mali Shipping Company have been in disrepair for a long time, and the volume of inland transportation is very small.

The Mali Shipping Company, responsible for the operation and management of inland waterway transportation, is headquartered in Kulikro and currently has dozens of various types of ships such as mail ships and flat bottomed barges.

Private river crossing canoes in Mali have poor safety and there have been incidents of capsizing and drowning. It is not recommended to ride them.

Urban transportation

The transportation in Bamako mainly relies on a private van called "SOTRAMA", which has a lower ticket price (starting from 100 colones) but poor safety, and is not recommended for passengers.

There are many taxis in Bamako, but their condition is poor. Most of them are old European Mercedes Benz cars, and accidents occur frequently. Taxis in Bamako do not charge by kilometer, usually ranging from 1000 to 5000 colones depending on the location.

It should be noted that there are a large number of motorcycles in Bamako and the speed is too fast, resulting in frequent traffic accidents. The traffic congestion in Bamako city is severe, and travel needs to be scheduled well. Generally, avoid traveling during peak hours from 4 pm to 5 pm.

To alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours, the current Kulikro main road line is temporarily implementing peak hour lane change measures. From 7am to 9am, the two-way lanes will be changed from east to west, and from 4pm to 7pm, they will be changed from west to east. Please make traffic plans before traveling.

major city

The capital Bamako is located in the southwest of Mali, with the Niger River running through the city. With a population of approximately 2.8 million and an area of 263 square kilometers, it is the political, economic, and cultural center of Mali.

Other important cities include: Segu (a central town), Sikasso (a cotton producing area), Tumbutu (an Islamic ancient city), Mopti (a water city), and Gao (a desert city).

Mali has four UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites: the Grand Mosque of Djene, the remains of the Dogon culture, the Tumbutu Mosque, and the Mausoleum of King Ja'askia.

Commodity prices

The main grain crops in Mali are millet, corn, sorghum, and rice; The main economic crops include tropical fruits such as cotton, peanuts, sugarcane, tobacco, and mangoes; The main livestock breeds include cattle, sheep, donkeys, horses, and camels; High fishery yield and excellent quality of freshwater fish; At present, the discovered mineral deposits mainly include gold, bauxite, iron, manganese, etc. Mali is the third largest gold producing country in Africa after South Africa and Ghana.

Mali has a weak industrial foundation, with industrial products mainly relying on imports, resulting in high price levels and living costs. The style of Malian handicrafts is ancient and rustic, with distinctive black wood carvings of good quality and certain collection and appreciation value. There are handicraft markets in major cities.

Mali uses the African Financial Community Franc (FCFA), which is now exchanged for the Euro at a fixed exchange rate of approximately 654.46:1. Generally, transactions are conducted in West African francs in cash, and tourist attractions can also use both US dollars and euros. High end hotels, large shopping malls, and institutions accept traveler's checks and VISA/MASTER credit cards.

Mali's taxation is divided into two categories: direct taxes and indirect taxes. Direct taxes mainly include personal income tax (paid progressively based on income, with a tax rate of 0-37%), industrial and commercial income tax, land tax, etc; Indirect taxes include value-added tax (tax rate of 5% or 18%), special commodity tax, financial gains tax (tax rate of 15% or 17%), etc. In addition, all goods entering the territory of Mali shall be subject to import taxes in accordance with the tariff rates specified in the Customs Tariff Manual.

Mali, as a member state of the Western Community and the West African Economic and Monetary Union, implements regional unified tariffs on foreign countries. According to the different types of imported goods, the unified tariffs are divided into five levels: 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 35%. Mali's export products are exempt from taxes.

In recent years, the financial industry in Mali has developed rapidly. Currently, there are 13 savings banks in the country. The Development Bank of Mali (BDM) is the largest commercial bank, along with other rapidly developing banks such as ECOBANK, BRS, BNDA, BCI, Banque Atlantique, and BIM. The above-mentioned banks can all offer deposit and loan, income and expenditure transfer, online banking, and international remittance services.

Individual currency exchange can be processed at the headquarters of the West African Central Bank in Mali with a flight ticket, with a limit of 1 million CFA francs per person per transaction.

Insurance Medical

The medical and health conditions in Mali are poor, and there is a serious shortage of doctors and medicines, especially in rural and remote areas.

Tropical epidemics are common in Mali, with rampant cases of malignant malaria, cholera, meningitis, and various childhood diseases. In 2019, the incidence rate of malaria was 19%, the incidence of leprosy was 1/10000, and the AIDS infection rate was 1.3%. It is recommended to vaccinate at the epidemic prevention at borders center before coming to the horse. Pay attention to diet and daily life, strengthen physical exercise, enhance the body's immunity, and prevent mosquito bites. Bring your own anti malaria medication on a daily basis, and seek medical attention promptly in case of fever or sudden changes in temperature to prevent missed diagnosis of malaria. Wash hands frequently, pay attention to food hygiene, and prevent diseases from entering through the mouth.

Mali has a total of 70 hospitals (including 4 at the national level and 6 at the regional level) and 826 municipal health centers. The main medical institutions in the capital Bamako include Mali Hospital, Pasteur Clinic in France, American Hospital, Dur Hospital, G-spot Hospital, and Kati Hospital. The Mali Hospital was built with Chinese aid, with a construction area of 7216 square meters and 150 beds. It was delivered for use in September 2010. According to the agreement between China and Malaysia, all medical staff of the 28th batch of aid medical teams are now carrying out aid medical tasks at the hospital (the previous medical teams worked at three hospitals in Kati, Sikasu, and Markala respectively).

On March 25, 2020, Mali reported the first confirmed case of COVID-19, and Mali Hospital became the hospital designated by the Malaysian government to treat patients with COVID-19.

The Pharmacy Populaire du Mali is the largest chain pharmacy in Mali. In addition, there are many private pharmacies, and many pharmacies operated by Chinese people are mainly wholesale.

After the establishment of the Third Republic of Mali, reforms were made to the public healthcare system to reduce the financial burden on the country. For civil servants seeking medical treatment, 80% of hospitalization expenses were reimbursed by the state, while the rest were self funded; Non civil servants are responsible for their own medical expenses. Starting from May 1, 2011, Mali carried out a major reform of its medical insurance system, implementing the Mandatory Medical Insurance (AMO). The government, employers, and individuals regularly contribute 3.06% of their salary (0.75% for retirees) to establish a provident fund, which is managed by the Mali Medical Insurance Agency (CANAM). This medical insurance system reimburses 70% of outpatient expenses and 80% of hospitalization expenses for insured patients. Insurance not only covers the policyholder, but also includes their immediate family members.

Customs taboos

The majority of the Malian people believe in Islam, with a small portion following Christianity and primitive fetishism. The various religions coexist harmoniously and use common Islamic etiquette. They do not eat pork, avoid talking about pigs, abstain from drinking alcohol, and avoid using their left hand to pass things or food. Malian people respect donkeys and consider them as capable assistants in production and life, and are regarded as family members. In Mali, it is a noble etiquette to give a gift of kola fruit when meeting.

Malian people often shake hands and greet others in social situations, and close friends can hug and stick their faces to each other depending on the situation. People in the Sahara Desert region are particularly friendly when meeting guests. In addition to warm handshakes and long conversations, both sides also bite each other's arms to leave a mark as a souvenir; When breaking up, both parties should kneel down and offer sincere wishes to each other.

Secular holidays include: New Year's Day (January 1), Army Day (January 20), Democratic Movement Memorial Day (March 26), Easter (the first Sunday after the full moon in March), International Labor Day (May 1), Africa Day (May 25), and National Day (September 22).

Religious festivals include: Eid al Fitr (Islamic calendar March 12th), Eid al Fitr (Islamic calendar September 30th or October 1st), Eid al Adha (Islamic calendar December 10th), and Christmas (December 25th).

Communications Power

Mali has a low Internet penetration rate. The existing Mali Telecom (Malitel) and Orange Mali Branch of France Telecom (Orange Mali) provide Internet access and wireless Internet access services with low bandwidth and high charges. France Orange Telecom also provides fiber optic internet services, with a monthly fee of 25000 CFA francs for a 40 Mbps bandwidth package and 60000 CFA francs for a 100 Mbps bandwidth package (specific tariff standards depend on the operator). There are internet cafes operating in Bamako, but they are relatively small in scale and have outdated equipment and environment. Some high-end hotels offer WIFI services.

The mobile network standard in Mali is GSM900/1800, with 3G and 4G services.

Mali has a voltage of 220V and uses European standard plugs. However, the power supply is insufficient and there are frequent power outages.

contact information