Chad Still Not Issuing Tourist Visas to US Citizens in 2026

Chad's president instructed his government to suspend visas for United States citizens in June 2025, citing reciprocity, after Chad was named on an original list of twelve countries that the United States fully restricted that month. In practice, travellers still need a visa to enter Chad, but the country is not routinely issuing visas to US citizens.

Three other West African states — Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso — have since taken similar measures against US passport holders after being added to US travel restrictions.

Key facts

• Chad's president ordered a suspension of visas for US citizens in June 2025, citing reciprocity
• A visa is still required for Chad, but it is not being routinely issued to US citizens
• Mali suspended visa issuance to US citizens effective 1 January 2026
• Burkina Faso announced reciprocal visa bans on US citizens on the same day as Mali
• Niger banned all visa issuance to US citizens and indefinitely barred their entry

What has Chad decided?

Chad acted after being included on the United States' original list of twelve fully restricted countries in June 2025. The president responded that month by telling his government to suspend visas for US citizens on reciprocity grounds, making Chad the first of this group to act.

The exact position is not entirely clear. A visa remains a requirement for entry, but Chad is not routinely issuing visas to US citizens, and descriptions of the restriction differ, with one account describing it as a limited entry ban. Chadian officials said they were dismayed that Washington had not recognised the country's progress on terrorism-related issues.

Which other countries have acted?

Niger was added to the United States' full restriction list by a December 2025 proclamation that took effect on 1 January 2026. It was the first to retaliate, with Burkina Faso and Mali following the next week. Legal analysts at Fragomen reported that Niger banned the issuance of all visas to US citizens and indefinitely barred their entry.

Mali suspended visa issuance to US citizens from 1 January 2026. Mali's foreign ministry framed the move as a mirror image, saying it would apply to US nationals the same conditions that Malian citizens face. Burkina Faso announced its measure on the same day as Mali, in a statement signed by Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré.

Are there exceptions?

Mali's foreign ministry said exceptions would be made for diplomats, athletes and US citizens who are permanent residents of Mali. Tourists are not on that list. In Niger, the embassy in Washington suspended ordinary visa issuance, but Americans may still apply through Nigerien missions outside the United States.

What this means for travellers

US passport holders should not assume they can obtain a tourist visa for Chad, Niger, Mali or Burkina Faso at present. The US State Department advises Americans to confirm current requirements with Mali's embassy before making plans. No end date has been announced for the suspensions described.