Overview
- Mali and Burkina Faso announced late Tuesday that U.S. nationals will face the same entry conditions their citizens now face in the United States, with immediate effect.
- Washington expanded its travel restrictions on December 16 to include Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, with full implementation set around January 1 under a national‑security rationale.
- U.S. officials cited terrorist activity, screening and information‑sharing deficiencies, and high visa overstay rates as reasons for the expanded restrictions.
- Mali criticized the U.S. decision as made without prior consultation and said the stated security rationale does not reflect actual developments on the ground.
- Niger previously said it would stop issuing visas to Americans, and earlier Chad suspended visas for U.S. citizens, reflecting a broader break with junta‑led Sahel states that have deepened ties with Russia; U.S. rules include exemptions for lawful residents, many visa holders, diplomats and certain athletes.