Journalist and Media Visas (I-Visas)

In General

Visitors to the United States who report on news events and who are engaged in activities to gather information for the media should obtain an I-visa. This includes reporters, film crews, video tape editors, employees of independent production companies, free-lance journalists working under contract, and persons in similar occupations. Both print and film activities are included in this category. However, if the visitor is filming, the film must be of an informational or educational nature. An I-visa cannot be used to film material which is used primarily for commercial entertainment or advertising purposes.

Journalists and media workers can qualify for the I-visa, if they are being assigned to reside in the U.S. as representatives of a foreign press, radio, film, or other information medium which as a home office in a foreign country and the applicant’s government allows for reciprocal visas to American information media. Spouse and children accompanying the principal applicant can qualify under the same visa category.

Applying for the Visa

See Applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa for instructions on how and where to submit your application.

Your application must include the following:

• To complete your online visa application, you will need a digital photo. Please read carefully the requirements to upload your photo and the photo specifications before you begin completing your application. If you do not have a digital photo or you fail to upload your photo correctly, you may send a photo meeting these requirements along with your passport. Further details of photo requirements.
• Complete the Electronic Visa Application Form DS-160 online and print out the confirmation page with the barcode.
• Valid passport
• Letter from employer describing job activities and length of stay in the U.S.
• Receipt of payment of non-refundable application fee paid at Australia Post (see fee info below)
• Payment of issuance fee, if applicable (see fee info below)

Fees

There are two parts to the non-immigrant visa fee: the application fee and the issuance fee.

Fee information.

Valid I-Visa Holders Who Have Changed Employers

Often journalists and media workers who obtained an I-visa due to their work with one employer will later change employers, but still need to travel to the U.S. to engage in similar work. As long as their new employer is a foreign-based media outlet, the journalist will not be receiving income from a U.S. source, and their product (i.e. broadcast, article, documentary, etc.) is not primarily for distribution within the U.S., their visa remains valid until its original expiration date. However, it is important that they carry a letter or contract from their current employer for presentation to the Immigration Officer at the U.S. Port of Entry should it be requested.

For more information, please see the "Additional Information" section of the Department of State's website on foreign media visas.

Also Keep In Mind

Applicants who seek to work on a film which is primarily intended for entertainment or advertising must obtain a temporary worker visa, categories H, O, or P depending on the nature of the job and the skills level involved. Applicants should have their manager or agent contact the office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the US where they intend to work.

Employees of independent production companies and free-lance media workers may qualify for I-visas if they are working under contract on a product to be used for its news value or as a documentary not primarily for commercial entertainment or for advertising purpose. The employee should hold credentials issued by a professional journalistic association. Consular officers may ask to see these credentials before adjudicating applications for I-visas.

Further Information

Please see our telephone information page for general advice on visas (charges apply).

Last update: Friday, 12 June 2009 GMT+1000