ISTANBUL

The West African country of Mali will require a reciprocal visa bond on US nationals seeking business or tourist visas, its Foreign Ministry said.

The news comes in the runup to Oct. 23, when Washington is set to start implementing a pilot visa bond program requiring Malian nationals applying for B-1/B-2 business or tourist visas to pay bonds of $5,000 or $10,000.

“In application of reciprocity, Mali decided to establish an identical visa program, imposing on American nationals the same conditions and requirements as those applied to Malian citizens,” the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The ministry decried the U.S.’ unilateral move, saying it undermines the 2005 long-term multiple-entry visa agreement between the two countries.

It cited the West African nation’s history of cooperation with the US against irregular immigration, emphasizing respect for law and human dignity, and reaffirmed its commitment to fostering “fruitful” relations based on dialogue and mutual respect.

The US State Department has designated nationals from Mali, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tanzania for a pilot visa bond program taking effect Oct. 23, with similar measures set for Gambia on Oct. 11, and for Malawi and Zambia on Aug. 20, requiring eligible travelers to post bonds of $5,000-$15,000 at their visa interviews.