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South Korea to Mali visa requirements

A South Korean ordinary passport holder needs a visa obtained in advance to enter Mali — there is no eVisa or visa-on-arrival channel for Koreans. Note: South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs imposed a Level 4 travel ban (여행금지) on all of Mali effective 4 November 2025, so travel is currently legally prohibited under the Passport Act. Mali is not on Mali's visa-exemption list for South Korea, and Mali discontinued general visa-on-arrival in March 2015 (now only Rwandan nationals get VOA). Mali does not operate a general public eVisa system for Korean travelers, so an ordinary South Korean passport holder must obtain a paper entry visa in advance. Because there is no Malian embassy in South Korea, the application is handled by the Embassy of Mali in Tokyo, Japan, which is accredited to South Korea (the Embassy of Mali in Beijing is an alternative). A valid passport with a blank page, application form, photos, proof of accommodation/itinerary, return ticket, and a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate are required. Critically, as of 4 November 2025 South Korea's MOFA designated all of Mali a Level 4 'Travel Ban' zone due to expanding JNIM/Al-Qaeda terrorist activity, fuel shortages, and the near-shutdown of Bamako; traveling there without special passport permission is an offense under Korea's Passport Act. Travelers should treat Mali as off-limits until the ban is lifted; consular protection will not be provided.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe South Korea (PR)Living in South Korea as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Embassy (consular) tourist visa — issued in advance by the Mali Embassy in Tokyo (accredited to South Korea)
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days typical for short-stay tourist visa (extendable in-country)
per entry
Entries
Single entry (multiple-entry available on request)
from issue date
Visa fee
Approx. JPY 12,000–18,000 total (visa fee plus ~JPY 4,000 bank commission and ~JPY 1,501 passport return fee)
consular fee only
Processing time
Approx. 3–7 working days at the Tokyo embassy
standard track
Validity
Typically 3 months from date of issuance to enter
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check the travel ban first
Confirm South Korea's MOFA Level 4 travel ban on Mali (effective 4 Nov 2025) is still in force on 0404.go.kr. Travel without special passport permission is illegal under the Passport Act.
· Mandatory· Korean nationals
/02
Confirm there is no eVisa/VOA channel
Mali has no general eVisa for Koreans and no visa-on-arrival (except Rwandan nationals). Plan to apply in advance at a Malian diplomatic mission.
· In advance
/03
Prepare your documents
Gather a passport valid 6+ months with a blank page, completed application form, passport photos, return/onward ticket, accommodation booking or invitation letter, and a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.
· Documents
/04
Submit to the Mali Embassy in Tokyo
Since there is no Mali embassy in South Korea, apply by mail/in person to the Embassy of Mali in Tokyo (accredited to Korea), or alternatively the Embassy of Mali in Beijing.
· Tokyo / Beijing
/05
Pay the fee and wait for processing
Pay the visa fee plus bank commission and passport-return postage. Processing is roughly 3–7 working days.
· JPY· 3-7 days
/06
Collect passport and verify the visa
Receive the passport, check the visa validity and entry dates, and carry the Yellow Fever certificate for the border check.
· Before departure
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items
Personalized checklist
South Korea -> Mali · Embassy (consular) tourist visa — issued in advance by the Mali Embassy in Tokyo (accredited to South Korea)
0 / 11 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months with one blank page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted Mali visa application form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredPassport-size photographs
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredYellow Fever vaccination certificate (mandatory)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredReturn or onward flight ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of accommodation or invitation letter
Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements
required
RequiredVisa fee plus bank commission and return postage
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredSpecial passport-use permission from Korean MOFA (due to travel ban)
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
Application link included: Visa requirements for South Korean citizens — Wikipedia
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Entry visa fee (short stay)JPY 6,000–12,000Set per the embassy's revised fee memorandum; varies by visa type/duration
Bank handling commissionJPY 4,000Tokyo embassy bank-transfer commission
Passport return feeJPY 1,501Postal return of passport
Total estimateJPY 11,501JPY 17,501incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Alternative — Mali Embassy in Beijing
5–10 working days
Where Tokyo is impractical, the Mali Embassy in Beijing can also process Korean applicants.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
South Korea is not on Mali's visa-exemption list
Mali waives visas only for ECOWAS members and a short list of states (e.g., Algeria, Morocco, UAE, Hong Kong); South Korea is not included.
High
/02
No general eVisa or visa-on-arrival for Koreans
Mali ended general VOA in March 2015 (now only Rwanda) and does not run a public eVisa portal for Korean tourists, so a pre-arranged embassy visa is mandatory.
High
/03
Korean government travel ban in force
MOFA designated all of Mali a Level 4 'Travel Ban' zone on 4 Nov 2025; entering without special permission breaches the Passport Act.
High
/04
No Malian mission in South Korea
Applications must be routed through Tokyo or Beijing, adding logistics and time.
Medium
/05
Yellow Fever certificate required
Mali requires proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for entry, which must be arranged before applying.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
South Korea to Mali route verified
Confirmed visa-required (no eVisa/VOA for Korean ordinary passports) via Mali visa policy and South Korean MOFA. Noted active Level 4 Korean travel ban on Mali effective 4 Nov 2025.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can South Koreans get a Mali visa on arrival?
No. Mali discontinued general visa-on-arrival in March 2015 (only Rwandan nationals qualify now). South Korean ordinary passport holders must obtain a visa in advance from a Malian embassy.
Is there a Mali eVisa for South Korean citizens?+
Where do I apply if there is no Mali embassy in Korea?+
Is it legal for Koreans to travel to Mali right now?+
Do I need a Yellow Fever vaccination?+
How long can I stay on a Mali tourist visa?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the South Korea passport

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