Foreign Affairs Canada publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to in the country’s customs, laws, and regulations. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Visitors should dress conservatively (e.g., women should wear a headscarf and also cover their arms and legs). Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. The use of drugs and alcohol is prohibited. Transgressions could be punished by detention or other penalties.

During the lunar month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar), visitors should refrain from drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is expected to begin on or about September 23, 2006.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. The prohibition on the use of drugs must be respected.

Same-sex relationships are a criminal offence in Mali.

The Treaty on Cultural Property, to which Mali is signatory, restricts the export of certain Malian archeological objects, particularly those from the Niger River Valley. Under Malian law, an export authorization from the National Museum in Bamako is required by visitors seeking to export such items.

Photography of military subjects is prohibited. Interpretation of what subjects may be photographed is influenced by cultural and religious factors. Ask permission before any photographs are taken.

BACK TO TOP

7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following address:

Mali - Bamako, Embassy of Canada
Address: Immeuble Séméga, Route de Koulikoro, Bamako, Mali
Postal Address: P.O. Box 198, Bamako, Mali
Tel.: 223 221-2236 Ext.: 3300
Fax: 223 221-4362
E-mail: bmako@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.bamako.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Canadian Embassy in Bamako (country code: 223/ tel.: 221-3096, 675-2937, or 674-8956) and follow the instructions. You can also make a call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

BACK TO TOP

8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change.
 
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Mali. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. The visa is valid for one (1) month from the date of entry to Mali. Requests for an extension may be obtained in Bamako. Prior to entry in Mali, the visa is valid for three (3) months. Visas can be obtained at ports of entry, however visitors should avoid this as problems and/or detention and delays often occur at ports of entry. In addition, if a visa is obtained at a port of entry it is valid for 5 days only and within that period visitors are required to re-apply and pay an additional fee for a visas valid for the duration of the entire stay. Therefore it is recommended that visas be obtained prior to departure for Mali.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Travellers are required to carry and show evidence of a yellow fever vaccination on arrival in Bamako.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Mali and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

BACK TO TOP

9. MONEY

The currency is the African Financial Community franc (CFAF). High-quality counterfeit old CFA 10,000 and 5,000 franc banknotes have been discovered in circulation in CFA franc zone countries. Travellers should avoid offers of large amounts of banknotes in exchange for foreign currency from other than reputable exchange bureaus.

The following may be helpful in identifying false notes:
In the serial number:
a) the figure "4" is closed at the top on the genuine notes but open on the false ones;
b) the tips of the figures "6" and "9" feature a slightly enhanced curve on the false notes; and
c) the top of the figure "1" features a curved tip on the false notes instead of a straight one.
Notes bearing the series indicator "A" are believed not to be affected.

New banknotes (1,000 CFAF, 2,000 CFAF, 5,000 CFAF and 10,000 CFAF) were put into circulation in 2003. 1,000 CFAF = 1.52 euros or C$2.50. Visitors interested in learning about the new notes are invited to review the Web site of the Banque centrale des États d'Afrique de l'Ouest (available only in French): www.bceao.int/internet/bcweb.nsf/French.htm.

Credit cards are rarely accepted outside a few major hotels. Carry traveller's cheques in euros or Canadian or U.S. dollars; they may be exchanged at major hotels and in banks. Banks do not exchange traveller's cheques on Saturdays and Sundays. The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) has a foreign exchange bureau close to the Grand Hôtel on Koulikoro Road. BDM-SA and EcoBank are reliable and have several outlets. The Banque internationale pour le commerce et l'industrie au Mali (BICIM) has a 24-hour ATM in the lobby of the Nimagala Building on Dabanani Road.

Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

BACK TO TOP

10. GENERAL INFORMATION

Mali (capital: Bamako) is a landlocked country in western Africa, bordered by Algeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal. The official language is French. Tourist facilities are limited. International calls can be expensive. Collect calls cannot be made from outside Bamako.

During the hot season, certain areas, particularly the capital, can experience extended power outages due to low water levels.

Radio Canada International (RCI) broadcasts on shortwave to this country. For a schedule of times and frequency of broadcasts, check the RCI Web site. You may also e-mail RCI at info@rcinet.ca or call 514-597-7500.

BACK TO TOP

11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is currently monitoring an increase in cholera activity in West Africa. Further information on cholera and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is following the incidence of meningitis in and around the African meningitis belt. This belt extends from Guinea to Senegal in the west to Ethiopia and western Eritrea in the east. Epidemics most often occur during the dry season (December to June) in this region. Since the mid-1990s, meningitis has occurred on an unprecedented scale and has spread beyond the usual boundaries. Additional information and health recommendations concerning meningitis can be obtained through the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

BACK TO TOP

12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical facilities are limited. Travellers should ensure they have a sufficient supply of prescription medicine. To avoid risks of mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should cover up and use mosquito repellent.

BACK TO TOP

13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

BACK TO TOP

14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

BACK TO TOP

15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

BACK TO TOP

16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

BACK TO TOP

17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

N/A

BACK TO TOP

18. ANNEX

N/A

BACK TO TOP