Jesse Bisiwu held back by visa issue at Barcelona

Jesse Bisiwu has signed his contract, completed his presentation, made his Barcelona debut and even appeared in the first-team squad on the club’s official website. Only one small detail is missing: permission to proceed as planned. This time the numbers are not the problem. The paperwork is.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the 18-year-old winger has not yet received LaLiga clearance because visa-related procedures remain unresolved. Until that approval arrives, the Belgian is working with Barça Atlètic.

Barcelona are not placing his development on hold. Bisiwu is expected to feature for the reserve side in Wednesday’s friendly against Reus at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. The match begins at 7pm CEST and should give him another opportunity to build match fitness.

The club’s sporting plan has not changed. Bisiwu is expected to train regularly under Hansi Flick and remain close to the first team. His Barça Atlètic registration will also allow him to collect competitive minutes with the reserves whenever opportunities with the senior squad are limited.

Bisiwu officially joined Barcelona at the end of July and signed a contract running until 30 June 2031. He immediately linked up with Flick’s squad at their St George’s Park training camp before being formally presented alongside Joan Laporta, Deco and members of the club’s sporting commission.

He has already been given opportunities on the pitch. The winger made his preseason debut against Udinese and later scored twice against FC Basel. His pace, direct dribbling and willingness to attack defenders have helped convince Flick that he should remain around the senior setup.

Barcelona’s official website currently lists Bisiwu as a first-team player wearing number 27. His present situation is therefore not the result of a coaching decision or doubts about his ability. It is an administrative delay.

That distinction matters. Barcelona supporters have become accustomed to registration stories involving salary limits and financial calculations, but the current issue is reportedly connected to Bisiwu’s visa. There is no indication that LaLiga has rejected his registration on financial grounds.

The expectation is that the remaining procedures will be completed and Bisiwu will soon return to first-team training. For now, he will continue with Barça Atlètic. Barcelona have the player, the contract, the shirt number and the sporting plan. They are waiting for the part that so often turns a simple operation into a full episode: the final piece of paperwork.