All country guides
- Capital
- Bamako (BKO)
- Dialing Code
- + 223
- Time Zone
- No UTC/GMT offset
- Language
- French
- Best Time to Go
- October - February
- Currency
- West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Travel Tips
- All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated, milk is unpasteurised
- As a predominately Islamic country, dress should always be conservative: men should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and leg covered. Respect to religious customs should also be shown during the month of Ramadan
- Credit cards are not widely accepted and ATMs are scarce
Last updated 1 October 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Mali Embassy
876 Pretorius Str, Arcadia, Pretoria
Telephone: 012 342-0676 / 012 342 7464
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1, 20
March: 20, 26
April: 6
May: 1, 25
June: 26
August: 26
September: 22
December: 25
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders
- Application form: Visa application form is to be fully completed. Personal details such as name(s) and surname must match the passport details exactly. Omissions or errors in the application may cause delays in the process
- Passport: Valid for at least 6 months & Copy of bio page
- Proof of funds: Where the invitation letter, the business letter, or the employment letter does not state that expenses related to the stay in Mali will be catered for, the applicant shall provide their most recent three months
- Ticket reservation: A round-trip airline ticket or booking must be available. The ticket or reservation must show exactly the point of entry and arrival date in Mali as well as the exit point and date of departure from Mali
- Photographs: Two recent passport colour photos
- Vaccination Certificate: Original of the yellow fever vaccination certificate.
- Invitation letter and/or employer's letter:
a) For visit visa: An invitation letter from the contact person in Mali or hotel reservation
b) For business visa: A business letter from the Malian partner company and/or an employment letter from the local company. The Embassy is entitled to verify the authenticity of the documents provided
Visa Processing Time
- Ordinary visa: 5 working days
- Express visa: 3 working days
Visa Validity
Visas are valid for one month from date of entry
Visa Cost
- R510.00 (Express visa is an additional R300)
- Once the application is submitted, visa fees are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the request
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
Yellow Fever
Recommended:
Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
Malaria Risk
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy
Hamdallaye ACI 2000, Batiment Diarra, Bamako
Telephone: +223 20 29 29 25/30
E-mail: nyembem@dirco.gov.za
Website: dirco.gov.za/mali/