Please visit our Nonimmigrant Visas webpage for instructions.

Please visit  https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/Common/Instructions.aspx for guidance.

For additional information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions about Nonimmigrant Visas in the Department of State wesbite

The application ID is required to retrieve an incomplete application.  If you do not have the application ID then you will need to start a new application.

No. Each individual, regardless of age, must have a DS-160 application form submitted in their own name, as well as an individual appointment.

We encourage travelers to plan ahead. Please continue to check the appointment system for new available appointments. If you would like to request an expedited appointment for an interview (for emergency medical treatment or family death/illness, for example), or if you require a special interview (such as a group interview), please send an email explaining your circumstances to consularbamako@state.gov.

Yes, you can reprint the confirmation page of an application that has already been submitted. In order to do so, go into the Consular Electronic Application Center website    (https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/) and select the Embassy or Consulate at which you are applying. Hit “Option C-Retrieve Application” on the Getting Started page and enter your application ID number. From there you will be able to view and print your confirmation page.

The applicant should bring all documentation on the day of the interview.  We do not accept documentation for non-immigrant visas in advance of the interview.

If you are refused a visa under section 214(b), it means that you:
1) Did not sufficiently demonstrate to the consular officer that you qualify for the nonimmigrant visa category you applied for; and/or
2) Did not overcome the presumption of immigrant intent, required by law, by sufficiently demonstrating that you have strong ties to your home country that will compel you to leave the United States at the end of your temporary stay.

No. A refusal, or ineligibility, under section 214(b) is for that specific application, so once a case is closed, the consular section cannot take any further action. There is no appeal process. If you feel there is additional information that should be considered related to the visa decision, or there are significant changes in your circumstances since your last application, you may reapply for a visa. To reapply, you must complete a new application form, schedule an appointment for a new interview, and pay the application fee.

You may reapply at any time as long as you complete a new application and make another appointment online. We strongly advise that you reapply ONLY if you can show additional strong ties and genuinely believe that you qualify. In most cases, it is better to wait until one’s personal circumstances have changed significantly before reapplying.

Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer.  Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply.  Most administrative processing is resolved within 90 days of the visa interview.  When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

For detailed information on how to apply for a tourist visa to the U.S. please visit https://ml.usembassy.gov/visas/tourism-visitor/.

Applicants must bring all required documents listed below in order to be interviewed.

Please be aware that presenting these documents DOES NOT guarantee that the visa will be issued. During the interview applicants must demonstrate to the Consular Officer that they:

• Have a residence in a foreign country, which they do not intend to abandon;
• Intend to enter the United States for a period of specifically limited duration; and
• Seek admission for the sole purpose of engaging in legitimate activities relating to business or pleasure.

Please bring the following required documents the day of your interview. Without these you will not be able to see a Consular Officer:

• The confirmation sheet of the DS-160 form (this is obtained after completing and submitting the form);
• A valid passport with a validity date at least six (6) months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in the United States;
• One (1) 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm) color photograph. For additional details visit the Nonimmigrant Visa Photograph Requirements

Applicants can bring additional documents in order to demonstrate that they are properly classifiable as visitors under U.S. law. Please be aware that the Consular Officer may or may not ask for these documents:

• Evidence which shows the purpose of the trip, intent to depart the United States, and arrangements made to cover the costs of the trip may be provided. It is impossible to specify the exact form the documentation should take since applicants’ circumstances vary greatly.
• Those applicants who do not have sufficient funds to support themselves while in the U.S. must present convincing evidence that an interested person will provide support.
• Evidence to show that the applicant has a residence abroad to which he/she intends to return at the end of the stay in the U.S. This is generally established by evidence of family, professional, property, employment or other ties and commitments to some country other than the U.S. sufficient to cause the applicant to return there at the conclusion of his/her stay in the U.S.
• Applicants must bring all supporting documentation with them for the interview. DO NOT have supporting documentation faxed, emailed, or sent to the Embassy; it will be thrown away.

U.S. law sets out many standards under which a visa application may be denied. An application may be denied because the consular officer does not have all of the information required to determine if the applicant is eligible to receive a visa, because the applicant does not qualify for the visa category for which he or she applied, or because the information reviewed indicates the applicant falls within the scope of one of the inadmissibility or ineligibility grounds of the law.

If denied a visa, the applicant will be notified of the section of law which applies.

For detailed information on visa denials visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/visa-denials.html

If denied a visa, the applicant will be notified of the section of law which applies.

For detailed information on visa denials visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/visa-denials.html

If you have any further questions, please email consularbamako@state.gov.

You need to complete the Online Non-Immigrant Visa Application form DS-160.

For additional information visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html#apply

Maximum validity of a tourist visa for Malian nationals is 5 years, although a visa with limited validity may be granted in certain cases.

A visa must be valid at the time a traveler seeks admission to the United States, but the expiration date of the visa (validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to remain in the United States. Persons holding visas valid for multiple entries may make repeated trips to the United States for travel for the same purpose, as long as the visa has not expired and the traveler is still eligible to enter the United States through a port-of-entry.

A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, but allows a foreign citizen coming from abroad, to travel to the United States port-of entry (generally an airport or land border) and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States, and determine how long a traveler may stay. At the port of entry, upon granting entry to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. immigration inspector, provides you with an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record in your passport. On this admission stamp or paper form, the U.S. immigration inspector records either a date or “D/S” (duration of status). If your I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must leave the United States. Your admission stamp or paper Form I-94 is very important to keep in your passport, since it shows your permission to be in the United States. Review information about Admission on the CBP Website. Also, see Duration of Stay.

Third country nationals are welcome to apply for tourist visas in Mali.

English is usually not a requirement for obtaining visas to the United States, except for certain student and work visas when the program requires English proficiency.

A-1 and A-2 visa applicants are subject to limited grounds of ineligibility. Of the INA 212(a) ineligibilities, only INA 212(a)(3)(A), INA 212(a)(3)(B), and INA 212(a)(3)(C) apply.

The fee that you paid is an application fee.  Everyone who applies for a U.S. visa anywhere in the world must pay this fee, which covers the cost of processing your application.  This fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you are issued a visa or not, since your application was processed to conclusion. As one example, if your application was refused under Section 214(b) and you choose to reapply for a visa, whether applying at the same embassy or elsewhere, you will be required to pay the visa application processing fee. See the Fees for Visa Services page for a list of fees.

For detailed information on how to work temporarily in the U.S. please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment.html.

All applicants must demonstrate that they qualify for a visa by being eligible under all applicable U.S. laws for the visa category for which they are applying. During the visa interview, the consular officer at the U.S Embassy or Consulate will determine if the applicant is qualified for the visa class being requested.

The non-refundable visa application fee for a tourist visa is currently $160. You are required to pay the visa fee before your interview.  This fee is non-refundable.

Certain nationalities may also need to pay a visa issuance fee, which is charged only if the visa is issued. If any other fees are required based on reciprocity with a particular country, the cashier will inform you at the time of payment.

For more information on visa fees please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html.

These are some examples of activities that require different categories of visas and cannot be done while on a tourist visa:

• full-time study;
• engaging in employment;
• paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience;
• arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft;
• work as foreign press, radio, film, journalists, and other information media;
• permanent residence in the United States.

For information on obtaining student visas please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study.html.

Applicants must bring all required documents listed below in order to be interviewed.

Please be aware that presenting these documents DOES NOT guarantee that the visa will be issued. During the interview applicants must demonstrate to the Consular Officer:

• Acceptance at a school as evidenced by Form I-20;
• Present intent to leave the United States at conclusion of approved activities;
• Possession of sufficient funds to meet the individual’s financial needs; and
• Preparation for course of study.

Please bring the following required documents the day of your interview. Without these you will not be able to see a Consular Officer:

For F or M visa categories:

• Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
• Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students, Form I-20 or Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students, Form I-20 – Your school will send you a SEVIS-generated Form I-20 once they have entered your information in the SEVIS database. You and your school official must sign the Form I-20. All students, their spouses and minor children if they intend to reside in the United States with the student, must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS). Each person receives an individual Form I-20.

Applicants can bring additional documents in order to demonstrate that they are properly classifiable as students under U.S. law. Please be aware that the Consular Officer may or may not ask for these documents. Examples of additional documents include:

• evidence of your academic preparation, such as transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and standardized test scores required by your U.S. school;
• your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study; and
• evidence of ability to pay all educational, living and travel costs.

For J visa category:

• Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
• Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, Form DS-2019 – A SEVIS-generated Form DS-2019 is provided to you by your program sponsor after the sponsor enters your information in the SEVIS system. All exchange visitors, including their spouses and minor children, must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Each person receives a separate Form DS-2019.
• Training/Internship Placement Plan, Form DS-7002 – In addition to the Form DS 2019, participants in the J-1 Trainee and Intern categories require Form DS-7002 (based on Box 7 on Form DS-2019). Learn more about the Trainee and Intern programs.

Student visa applicants must demonstrate that they are:

• Credible;
• Qualified for the course of study;
• With financial resources to pay for studies; and
• With the present intent to return to their home country after completing their studies.

Consular officer will consider all relevant factors when adjudicating the application.

In general, yes.If your primary purpose in requesting a visa is to study in the United States, then you request a student visa.  However, taking short-term courses that are incidental to tourist activities is permitted on a tourist visa.

For additional information on the correct category of student visa please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study.html

For Malian applicants, a student visa is in principle valid for 5 years.

For the latest information on visa reciprocity by country please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html

A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, but allows a foreign citizen coming from abroad, to travel to the United States port-of entry (generally an airport or land border) and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States, and determine how long a traveler may stay. At the port of entry, upon granting entry to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. immigration inspector, provides you with an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record in your passport. On this admission stamp or paper form, the U.S. immigration inspector records either a date or “D/S” (duration of status). If your I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must leave the United States. Your admission stamp or paper Form I-94 is very important to keep in your passport, since it shows your permission to be in the United States. Review information about Admission on the CBP Website. Also, see Duration of Stay.

Applicants must bring all required documents listed above in order to be interviewed.

Applicants can bring additional documents in order to demonstrate that they are properly classifiable as students under U.S. law. Please be aware that the Consular Officer may or may not ask for these documents.

Common interview pitfalls include:

• Concealing another purpose of travel.
• Failing to answer the officer’s questions.
• Reciting memorized facts instead of being responsive.
• Arriving unprepared to discuss application and study plans in detail.
• Reciting memorized facts about their school rather than speaking credibly about their unique study plans.

• Do your due diligence and research and make sure you meet the requirements for the course of study.
• Explain why you intend to study in the United States and why you chose the course of study and the school you selected.
• Explain how you plan to pay for your studies.
• Don’t recite memorized answers or hide other intentions.
• Don’t lie. Be honest with the Consular Officer.

The F-1 visa is the appropriate visa category for all applicants applying to academic programs ranging from primary school to PhD, as well as language study programs.

Please review the F-1 visa information by visiting https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html .

The non-refundable visa application fee for a student visa is currently $160. You are required to pay the visa fee before your interview.  This fee is non-refundable.

Certain nationalities may also need to pay a visa issuance fee. This fee is only charged if the visa is issued.

In addition, when you are accepted by the U.S. school you plan to attend, you will be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). You must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee. Visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website to learn more about SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee.

For more information on visa fees please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html.

The level of education required depends on the academic program sought. Applicants looking academic programs ranging from primary to PhD or language study programs are eligible for a student visa.

Please review the F-1 visa information by visiting https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html .

Applicants must bring all required documents listed below in order to be interviewed.

Please be aware that presenting these documents DOES NOT guarantee that the visa will be issued.

During the interview applicants must demonstrate to the Consular Officer that they qualify for the visa being sought.

For all questions related to academic scholarships, please contact the U.S. Embassy’s EducationUSA advisor at +223-2070-2419, visit https://ml.usembassy.gov/education-culture/study-usa/, or follow our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/USEmbassyMali/

For additional information on scholarships and exchanges visit https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us .

The U.S. Embassy sponsors a number of exchange education and cultural programs. For additional information visit https://ml.usembassy.gov/education-culture/exchanges/ or follow our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/USEmbassyMali/.

For all questions related to the U.S. university admission process, please contact the U.S. Embassy’s EducationUSA advisor at 2070-2419 and visit https://ml.usembassy.gov/education-culture/study-usa/.

To become a member of the U.S. Embassy Information Resource Center, please contact the IRC by calling:  (223) 20 70 24 32, (223) 20 70 24 19 or (223) 20 70 24 18 or emailing: pasbamako@state.gov

The DV-2019 registration period is usually between October and November each year.

Please visit our Embassy Website at https://ml.usembassy.gov/visas/diversity-visa-lottery/ for additional information and the most accurate dates.

Requirement #1: Individuals born in countries whose natives qualify may be eligible to enter. If you were not born in an eligible country, there are two other ways you might be able to qualify:

• Was your spouse born in a country whose natives are eligible? If yes, you can claim your spouse’s country of birth – provided that both you and your spouse are named on the selected entry, are found eligible and issued diversity visas, and enter the United States simultaneously.
• Were you born in a country whose natives are ineligible, but in which neither of your parents was born or legally resident at the time of your birth? If yes, you may claim the country of birth of one of your parents if it is a country whose natives are eligible for the DV-2019 program.

Requirement #2: Each DV applicant must meet the education/work experience requirement of the DV program by having either:

• at least a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a 12-year course of formal elementary and secondary education; OR
• two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform. The Department of State will use the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net Online database to determine qualifying work experience.

For all the details on how to apply, please visit https://ml.usembassy.gov/visas/diversity-visa-lottery/

For additional information on the Diversity Visa process and qualifications please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry.html

Based on the allocations of available visas in each region and country, the Department of State will randomly select individuals by computer from among qualified entries. All DV-2019 entrants must go to the Entrant Status Check using the unique confirmation number saved from their DV-2019 online entry registration to find out whether their entry has been selected in the DV program. Entrant Status Check will be available on the E-DV website at dvlottery.state.gov.

If your entry is selected, you will be directed to a confirmation page providing further instructions, including information about fees connected with immigration to the United States. Entrant Status Check will be the ONLY means by which the Department of State notifies selectees of their selection for DV-2019.

The Department of State will not mail notification letters or notify selectees by email. U.S. embassies and consulates will not provide a list of selectees. Individuals who have not been selected also ONLY will be notified through Entrant Status Check. You are strongly encouraged to access Entrant Status Check yourself. Do not rely on someone else to check and inform you.

In order to immigrate, DV selectees must be admissible to the United States. The DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, electronically, and the consular officer, in person, will ask you questions about your eligibility to immigrate under U.S. law. These questions include criminal and security related topics.

For information on how to immigrate to the U.S. please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate.html.

No. Applicants who enter the DV lottery need to monitor their status using the registration confirmation number. They will not be otherwise notified of their selection. The U.S. Embassy does not collaborate with any other organizations to facilitate the Diversity Visa Program. Please visit the Diversity Visa website for more information.

• Foreign citizens who want to live permanently in the United States must first obtain an immigrant visa. This is the first step to becoming a lawful permanent resident.
• Immigrating to the United States is an important and complex decision. In this section, you will learn about who may immigrate to the United States, the different types of immigrant visas, the required forms, and the steps in the immigrant visa process.
• To apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen seeking to immigrate generally must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident immediate relative(s), or prospective U.S. employer, and have an approved petition before applying for an immigrant visa. The sponsor begins the process by filing a petition on the foreign citizen’s behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Once USCIS has approved your petition and you have completed pre-processing with the National Visa Center (NVC), or if you have been selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery and completed processing with the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC), review the instructions given to you by the NVC or the KCC, along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.
• S. Embassy Bamako does not process immigrant visas for Mali. Malian immigrant visas are processed by the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.
• For more information on Immigrant Visas, please visit the website for the S. Embassy Dakar and usvisas.state.gov.

Generally, English is not a requirement for obtaining an Immigrant visa. However, there are exceptions.  Please visit state.gov  to get a full list of the required documents and skills for each specific immigrant visa category.

• You can check your status by visiting https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do and using the receipt number for your case.
• The receipt number is a unique 13-character identifier that USCIS provides for each application or petition it receives. The agency uses it to identify and track its cases. The receipt number consists of three letters-for example, EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, NBC, MSC or IOE-and 10 numbers. You can find it on notices of action USCIS has sent you.

• Foreign citizens who want to live permanently in the United States must first obtain an immigrant visa. This is the first step to becoming a lawful permanent resident.
• Immigrating to the United States is an important and complex decision. In this section, you will learn about who may immigrate to the United States, the different types of immigrant visas, the required forms, and the steps in the immigrant visa process.
• To apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen seeking to immigrate generally must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident immediate relative(s), or prospective U.S. employer, and have an approved petition before applying for an immigrant visa. The sponsor begins the process by filing a petition on the foreign citizen’s behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Once USCIS has approved your petition and you have completed pre-processing with the National Visa Center (NVC), or if you have been selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery and completed processing with the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC), review the instructions given to you by the NVC or the KCC, along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.
• S. Embassy Bamako does not process immigrant visas for Mali. Malian immigrant visas are processed by the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.
• For more information on Immigrant Visas, please visit the website for the S. Embassy Dakar and usvisas.state.gov.

• When you complete a petition (I-130, I-140, etc.) for an immigrant visa, you send it to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security for approval. If USCIS approves the petition and you wish to process for a visa outside the United States, USCIS will send you a Notice of Approval (I-797) and send the petition to the NVC. It often takes longer for the petition to arrive at the NVC than for you to receive your Notice of Approval. Please wait up to six weeks after receiving your Notice of Approval before contacting NVC. Once NVC receives your petition from USCIS, it will assign a unique NVC case number and send you a letter notifying you that we have your petition and what to do next.
• For additional information visit the website for Immigrant Visa Processing – General FAQs.

• The U.S. Embassy in Bamako does not process immigrant visas for Mali. Malian immigrant visas are processed by the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.
• For more information on Immigrant Visas, please visit the website for the U.S. Embassy Dakar.
• For instructions and forms, please visit the USCIS website.

Applicants for family or employment-based visas will be notified directly by the National Visa Center (NVC) once NVC has scheduled the interview.  Even if NVC informs you that your case is documentarily qualified and requests fee payment, you must still wait for NVC to schedule the interview.  NVC will contact you as soon as a date is available.  If you are concerned about the status of your case, please contact NVC directly at NVCInquiries@state.gov

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Certain APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders may request expedited appointments.  For more information, please visit the Department of State’s website on ABTC.

The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States.  We are committed to the essential openness for which the United States has always been known.  Travel to the United States is welcomed and encouraged.  For more information, please read the Department of State’s Customer Service Statement.

For more information on the electronic Form I-94, how to replace a lost or stolen paper Form I-94, and I-94 procedures for land border crossings through Canada or Mexico, please visit the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

For more information regarding fraud, visit the Department of State’s fraud information website.

For more information regarding lost and stolen passports, visas, and Form I-94s, please visit the Department of State’s Lost or Stolen Travel Documents website

For more information about traveling to the United States, including information on security procedures at U.S. borders, please visit the Department of State’s information on Safety and Security of U.S. Borders website.

For more information on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), please visit the Department of State’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP) website.