Qualifying for a Media (I) Visa
Representatives of the foreign press, radio, film, journalists or other information media, engaging in that vocation while in the U.S., require a nonimmigrant Media (I) visa and cannot travel to the U.S. using a business visa.
- Applicants must demonstrate that they are properly qualified to be issued a media visa. Under immigration law, media visas are for “representatives of the foreign media,” including members of the press, radio, film or print industries, whose activities are essential to the foreign media function, such as reporters, film crews, editors and persons in similar occupations, traveling to the U.S. to engage in their profession. The consular officer will determine whether or not an activity qualifies for the media visa. The activity must be essentially informational, and generally associated with the newsgathering process, reporting on actual current events, to be eligible for the media visa. As an example, reporting on sports events are usually appropriate for the media visa.
Representatives of the foreign press, radio, film, journalists or other information media engaging in that vocation while in the U.S. require a nonimmigrant Media (I) visa. They cannot travel to the U.S. using a visitor visa or on the visa waiver program and in trying to do so may be turned around by the DHS immigration inspector in the U.S. at the port of entry.
Appointments for journalists and media representatives are scheduled Monday through Friday beginning 7:30 a.m., except Polish and American holidays and the last working Friday of the month. See How to Apply for instructions on making an appointment. Applicants must submit the electronic application form DS-156 with a bar code. Visas are returned by DHL courier service. Visas can be issued only on the same or next by in emergency situations.
In addition to the documents described in Basic Documents and Photographs applicants traveling as media representations must present proof of press credentials
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