Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. President Julius Maada Bio and his immediate family have been granted unrestricted access to the United States, allowing them to travel freely for leisure and official purposes.
The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s proclamation on June 4, 2025, which bans many ordinary Sierra Leone citizens, including winners of the 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, from entering the U.S.
Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden OOR provided a detailed analysis of the proclamation, highlighting that President Bio, First Lady Fatima Bio, and their dependent children are exempt from the restrictions that apply to the majority of Sierra Leoneans.
The exemption places the Bio family in a unique position, allowing them to travel to the U.S. without any limitations, a privilege not extended to most ordinary citizens of Sierra Leone.
The proclamation, which takes effect on June 9, 2025, aims to address national security concerns, citing Sierra Leone’s high visa overstay rates as a significant factor.
While many Sierra Leoneans will be unable to secure new visitor visas for tourism, business, or education, those with valid visas can still enter the U.S. until their visas expire.
Dr. Blyden emphasized that while President Bio and his family enjoy unrestricted entry, other government officials face tighter travel regulations. Cabinet Ministers and the Vice President can only enter the U.S. for official duties, with their spouses allowed to accompany them, while Deputy Ministers and lower-ranking officials will encounter even stricter limitations under A2 visas.
The proclamation has sparked concern among ordinary Sierra Leoneans, who now face significant barriers to travel. Most citizens will be unable to apply for visitor visas unless specifically invited by the U.S. government or falling under specific exceptions, such as journalists or athletes.
As the situation develops, Sierra Leoneans are encouraged to seek guidance from the U.S. Embassy in Freetown or the U.S. Government regarding their visa status and options moving forward.
For More News And Analysis About Sierra-Leone Follow Africa-Press
