Mali’s capital Bamako imposes a refundable bond of up to $10,000 on U.S. visitors, mirroring Washington’s own visa-bond pilot and adding new hurdles for travelers.

A new layer of red tape now awaits Americans planning a trip to Mali’s storied desert cities or lively capital: a cash bond of up to $10,000, payable before a visa can be issued. The requirement, announced in Bamako on Oct. 11, arrives just days after Washington began demanding the same financial guarantee from Malian nationals.