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Malian visa resources

ECOWAS withdrawal, AES and Mali entry rules

How Mali's move to the Sahel States Alliance and its ECOWAS withdrawal affect entry for West African and other nationals.

Official guidance Regularly updated

Important

This information is for general guidance only. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee your application will be approved.

Mali, together with Burkina Faso and Niger, announced its withdrawal from ECOWAS and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This has implications for the free-movement arrangements that previously let West African nationals enter Mali with an identity document and no visa.

Arrangements in this area have been evolving, and some entry restrictions have applied to particular nationalities. Travellers, especially West African nationals, should confirm the current position with an official Malian mission before travelling rather than relying on the historic ECOWAS free-movement rules.

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Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.