Business Specialty Visa Plan Foreign Media, Press, Radio I visa
The I-1 visa is perhaps the simplest of all US visas. It requires no complicated paperwork, no US-based sponsor or employer, no complicated credentials to establish, and no proof of awards, recognition or distinction. All you need to be is an accredited employee of a media organization in your own country, with a letter from your employer confirming this.
Foreign Media, Press, Radio I visa
The I-1 visa is perhaps the simplest of all US visas. It requires no complicated paperwork, no US-based sponsor or employer, no complicated credentials to establish, and no proof of awards, recognition or distinction. All you need to be is an accredited employee of a media organization in your own country, with a letter from your employer confirming this.
The I-1 visa is exclusively for members of the information gathering and dissemination industry, namely the press, radio, film and online news platforms, who want to travel temporarily to the United States to gather news and report on it. As a media person on an I-1 visa, your activities in the USA must be clearly informational in nature and generally associated with the processes of news gathering and reporting on current events.
Typical candidates in this category include reporters, film crews and editors, among others. The spouse and children under age 21 of an I-1 visa holder may also accompany or join the visa holder.
Who is eligible for an I visa?
To be eligible for an I visa, you need to meet the following fairly simple requirements —
- You must be a freelance journalist, a member of the media or working with an independent production company contracted to a media organization.
- You must be professionally involved in the news gathering process.
- If you are producing a film or video, it must be informative or educational
- If you work with an independent news or documentary production company you must —
- Have credentials issued by a professional journalistic association.
- Have a valid employment contract on a project that is not mainly intended for commercial, entertainment or advertising purposes.
- Prove that the film will be used by a TV station or other such news media.
- Prove that the film will not be primarily used for commercial or advertising purposes.
- Show evidence of journalistic work done in the previous six months.
Some examples of the kinds of people and activities who may be eligible for an I-1 visa are given below. The word foreign should invariably be read as non-US.
- You work for an independent production company with foreign journalistic credentials and will be filming events related to current news or a documentary.
- You are producing or distributing a film that is either educational or related to current news information. The film must be funded by a company outside the US.
- You are a journalist with a contract from a foreign media or journalistic company and will be collecting news used to inform and not for commercial purposes.
- You are a journalist going to the US to collect news about an event happening in the US. The news must be targeted to a foreign audience.
- You represent a valid, accredited tourism agency that is partially funded by a foreign government, and will be collecting touristic information about the US.
- You work for a company that distributes technical industrial information and will be working in the US offices of that company.
- You are a freelance journalist with a valid work contract from a foreign media company, and will be engaged in any of the work described above.
Even media persons from countries that are a part of the US Visa Waiver Program are required to get an I-1 visa in order to pursue journalistic work inside the United States.
How long can you stay in the US on an I visa?
The I visa is normally valid for just as long as required but not more than a year. If your contract describes a 3-month assignment, then that’s how long your visa will be valid for. However, if you can prove that your work is incomplete and requires more time, you can request an extension of your I visa, making an application on Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. You are allowed unlimited extension on the I visa, and all extensions are for a year each, as long as you can credibly show that your work is incomplete.
You may also apply to change your visa to a different kind of visa, such as an H-1B, if you find an employer willing to sponsor you.
How do you apply for an I visa?
Applying for an I visa is one of the least complicated of US visa application processes. The steps are described below —
- Apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa online through form DS-160: You can apply online for a Non-Immigrant Visa, called Form DS-160. To do this efficiently and successfully, keep the following at hand before going online —
– Your passport
– A visa photograph (to upload). Make sure the photograph conforms to US Immigration photo specifications
In addition, you may need to supply:
– A travel itinerary
– The dates of your last five visits to the US (if applicable) and/or evidence of your international travel history within the past five years
– A resume or CV
– The US Embassy or Consulate where you will apply for an interview
– Additional information depending on your purpose for travel
More information about filling out the DS-160 form is available online. Remember to print out the DS-160 application confirmation page after completing the form. You will need it at the interview.
- Find your nearest US Embassy or Consulate. You can find the address online or by checking the global list of US Embassies and Consulates. Make a note of the address. You will need it in the next step.
- Schedule your visa interview. Contact the US Embassy or Consulate nearest to you, preferably the one you named on the DS-160 form, and schedule your interview. Since different embassies have different waiting periods, check at the embassy’s website to find out how long you’ll have to wait.
- Pay the visa application fee: This is $160 for the I visa, and can be paid online. Be sure to print out a receipt confirming your payment. You will need it at the visa interview later. In some countries, this fee is payable at the time of your interview, and in others it must be paid in advance.
- Gather the necessary documents. You will need the following —
- Passport with validity for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay
- Visa interview appointment letter
- Photograph. Some embassies may require a copy, especially if you were unable to upload an appropriate one while applying. A complete description of the format requirements is here.
- DS-160 confirmation page
- DS-160 visa application fee receipt: Required only if the fee was paid prior to your interview)
- Letter from your employer. This should describe the purpose of your US visit, which must fall within the eligibility criteria for I visa activities. In addition, the letter should state the length of your stay, the duration of your work contract and your personal information.
- Your qualifications that establish that you meet the I visa eligibility criteria:
- Work contracts
- Journalistic accreditations
- Press card
- Past published articles
- Medical documents proving you are in good health
- Documents proving you have no past criminal record
- Go for the visa interview. This final step is the most crucial, and will determine whether you get the P-1B visa. Keep in mind that one of the most common reasons for visa denial is incomplete, inaccurate or fraudulent paperwork. If you’ve carried out all the previous steps diligently, this final step will be that much smoother.
The visa officer may request additional documents at his or her discretion and these requirements may vary from country to country.
How much does an I visa cost?
There can be up to three costs for getting an I visa —
I visa application fee: This must be paid before the visa interview, and costs $160.
DS-160 Non-Immigrant Visa Application processing fee: This is currently US$ 160 but may be subject to change. Check with the local US Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date fees.
Visa Issuance fee: In some countries, an additional Visa Issuance fee may be charged when the visa is issued. Check with the local US Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date fees.
Need more help?
If you still feel that you would like to have professional help in making your application or would like to consult a lawyer who specializes in immigration and visa matters, you can explore some of your options, including how to access our exclusive list of professional immigration lawyers.
If you have questions or would like clarifications, please send us an email and we’ll do our best to get back to you within 24 hours with an answer.