I Visa

I Visa

Are you a foreign media journalist or a member of the press, radio, film, or print industries?

Are there current news events occurring in the United States that you need to cover?

If you answered “Yes” to the questions above, then you may be able to obtain an I visa (or media visa). The I visa (or media visa) is a nonimmigrant visa for representatives of foreign media temporarily traveling to the U.S.. The applicant must be coming to the U.S. solely to engage in their profession and must also maintain his or her home office in a foreign country. For example, if you are working for a foreign newspaper company and you would like to come to the U.S. to cover a certain current event, then visa can allow you to succeed in your mission.

HOW CAN I QUALIFY FOR AN I VISA (ALSO KNOWN AS A “MEDIA VISA”)?

Applicants must demonstrate that they are suitably qualified for a media visa as a “representative of the foreign media.” Media visas are typically granted to essential foreign media members like journalists, radio hosts, filmmakers, and print industry professionals. This includes reporters, film crews, editors, and persons in similar occupations engaged in qualifying activities.

The activity of the applicant must basically be for the purpose of obtaining information and generally connected with gathering news and reporting on actual current events. Some examples of qualifying activities are traveling to the U.S. to cover the Grammy Awards, Academy Awards, or the Super Bowl. An applicant must apply for the visa before entry into the U.S. The Consular officer determines whether or not an activity of the foreign national qualifies for it.

WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES QUALIFY FOR THE I VISA?

The following is a list of typical media activities, which are covered under this category: 

• Filming of a news event or documentary by employees of foreign information media;
• Production or distribution of film (funded by non-U.S. sources) used to disseminate information or news;
• Journalists contracted by a professional journalistic organization work on products for foreign information or cultural media to distribute news, not primarily for commercial entertainment or advertising.
• Work by independent production company employees holding credentials issued by a professional journalistic association;
• Reporting on U.S. events for a foreign audience by foreign journalists working for an overseas branch office or subsidiary of a U.S. network, newspaper or other media;
• Accredited representatives of tourist bureaus, controlled or subsidized by a foreign government, distribute factual tourist information about their country.
• Employees who work in U.S. offices of foreign organizations, which distribute technical industrial information.

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO SHOW TO OBTAIN AN I-VISA?

1. You need a valid passport for U.S. travel, expiring at least six months after your intended stay duration.
2. Form DS-160 – Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application;
3. One 2×2 photograph that meets USCIS photo requirements;
4. Proof of employment – if you are a:

• Staff Journalist: Get an employer letter with your name, position, U.S. trip purpose, and intended stay duration for your I visa application.
• Freelance Journalist under contract to a media organization: Provide a contract copy showing your name, position, U.S. trip purpose, intended stay duration, and contract term for your visa.
• Media Film Crew member: Get an employer letter with your name, position, filming program details, and U.S. filming duration for your US I visa application.
• Part of an independent production company under a contract with a media organization: obtain a letter from the organization assigning the work that shows the name, title and brief description of the program you are filming, how long you need to film in the U.S., and the length of your contract.

CAN SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF I-VISA HOLDERS ACCOMPANY THEM TO THE U.S.?

Yes. Spouses and children under 21 can join the I visa holder in the U.S. for the duration of their stay. However, they cannot work without a temporary work permit but can study without a student visa. If they only want to visit or vacation, they can apply for B-2 visitor visas.

RESTRICTIONS ON VISA

The following activities are not covered under the I visa:

• You cannot use a media visa to film material for commercial entertainment or advertising purposes. A temporary worker visa, such as an H-1B visa, is required in such cases;
• If you are a proofreader, librarian, or a set designer, you are not eligible for a media visa. However, you may qualify under classification, such as H, O or P visas;
• Stage shows, reality shows, and quiz shows generally do not involve journalism. Members of production companies filming these types of shows are not eligible for a media visa;
• Media representatives participating in media content in which actors are used do not qualify for the media visa.

VALIDITY OF THE I VISA

An I visa is valid for one year and you can apply for unlimited extensions until your project is completed.

CONCLUSION:

Journalists or media workers from outside the U.S. covering events may need an media visa to enter the country. Obtain this visa before entering the U.S., as it has specific restrictions on acceptable media activities. Once approved, your spouse and children under 21 can accompany you during your stay.