Hi - I'm planning a trip to Mali and have discovered that the nearest embassy to the UK is in Paris. Has anyone managed to get their visa from this embassy, through the post? Slightly worried about losing my passport so might have to have a weekend in Paris sometime, which is not such a bad idea now that i think of it!

Cheers, C

You are right. The two nearest Malian embassies to the UK are in Paris and Brussels. I have used the Brussels one ... by post ... and got everything back fine by return post. You should send your package with the passport, money and stamped addressed envelope by registered post. DO NOT send a cheque, send euros in cash. It is the only thing they will accept! Last time they sent me the change tucked in my passport! Go to the website and print out the visa form. It will also tell you the current cost. The visa will be for one month no matter how long you say you want to stay .. so if you plan on longer than a month you need to get an extension in Mali.

A list of all consular and embassy sites for Mali is available at:
http://www.sagatours.com/traveltips.html#entryvisa


That site has lots of other information too and should be useful to you. I'm adding things to my Bamako, Mali page here at Rough Guides so you may want to check there too.

I live in Bamako, the capital of Mali.

Hope you have a good trip. Let me know if I can be of any more help to you as you plan.

Maggie
(Sociolingo)

Don't know if I'm too late for this reply to be of any use... Cutting a long story short, I ended up using the consulate in Basel rather than Paris (or Brussels), and they were quick, efficient and helpful - no problems with late returns or missing passports.

I have to admit that I'm quite jealous - Mali is a fantastic country, and I hope to return there one day. Have a great time.