Journalist and Media Visa

On this page:

Overview

The media (I) visa is a nonimmigrant visa for representatives of the foreign media temporarily traveling to the United States to engage in their profession while having their home office in a foreign country. Some procedures and fees under immigration law relate to policies of the traveler's home country and, in turn, the United States follows a similar practice, which we call "reciprocity." Procedures for providing media visas to foreign media representatives of a particular country consider whether the visa applicant's own government grants similar privileges, or is reciprocal, to media/press representatives from the United States.

Qualifications

There are very specific requirements, dictated by U.S. immigration law, which must be met by applicants in order to qualify for the media visa. To qualify for the media (I) visa applicants must demonstrate that they are properly qualified to be issued a media visa.

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, under U.S. immigration laws, traveling to the United States to engage in their profession. The applicant must be engaging in qualifying activities for a media organization having its home office in a foreign country. The activity must be essentially informational, and generally associated with the news gathering process, reporting on actual current events, to be eligible for the media visa. The consular officer will determine whether or not an activity qualifies for the media visa. Reporting on sports events are usually appropriate for the media visa. Other examples include, but are not limited to, the following media related kinds of activities:

  • Primary employees of foreign information media engaged in filming a news event or documentary.
  • Members of the media engaged in the production or distribution of film will only qualify for a media visa if the material being filmed will be used to disseminate information or news. Additionally, the primary source and distribution of funding must be outside the United States.
  • Journalists working under contract. Persons holding a credential issued by a professional journalistic organization, if working under contract on a product to be used abroad by an information or cultural medium to disseminate information or news not primarily intended for commercial entertainment or advertising. Please note that a valid employment contract is required.
  • Employees of independent production companies when those employees hold a credential issued by a professional journalistic association.
  • Foreign journalists working for an overseas branch office or subsidiary of a U.S. network, newspaper or other media outlet if the journalist is going to the United States to report on U.S. events solely for a foreign audience.
  • Accredited representatives of tourist bureaus, controlled, operated, or subsidized in whole or in part by a foreign government, who engage primarily in disseminating factual tourist information about that country, and who are not entitled to A-2 visa classification.
  • Technical industrial information. Employees in the U.S. offices of organizations, which distribute technical industrial information.

Freelance journalists will only be considered for an I visa if all of the following criteria are met. The journalist must:

  • Hold a credential issued by a professional journalistic organization
  • Be under contract to a media organization
  • Disseminate information or news not primarily intended for commercial entertainment or advertising.

Still photographers are permitted to enter the United States with B-1 visas for the purpose of taking photographs, provided that they receive no income from a U.S. source.

Restrictions

Citizens from a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program, who want to enter the United States temporarily as representatives of the foreign media while engaging in their profession as media or journalists, must first obtain a media visa to come to the United States. They cannot travel without a visa on the Visa Waiver Program, nor can they travel on a visitor (type B) visa. Attempting to do so may result in a denial of admission to the United States by the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry. The list below describes situations when a visitor visa or the Visa Waiver Program can be used.

Traveling with a Visitor Visa

A visitor visa may be used if your purpose of travel is for the following activities:

Attending a conference or meeting

Media representatives traveling to the United States to attend conferences or meetings as a participant and who will not report about the meeting, either while in the United States or upon their return, can travel on a visitor visa. The distinction in immigration law is whether they will be "engaging in their vocation."

Guest speaking, lecturing or engaging in academic activity

Media representatives must hold a visitor visa when traveling to the United States for the purposes of guest speaking, lecturing, or engaging in other usual academic activity at a related or affiliated nonprofit entity, a nonprofit research organization, a governmental research organization, or at an institution of higher education from which the applicant will receive an honorarium. However, the speaking activity must last no longer than nine days at a single institution and the speaker cannot have received payment from more than five institutions or organizations for such activities in the last six months.

Purchasing media equipment

A visitor visa can be used by employees of foreign media outlets to purchase U.S. media equipment or broadcast rights or to take orders for foreign media equipment or broadcast rights, since these activities fall within the scope of those executed by ordinary business visitors.

Vacation

A foreign media journalist can take vacation to the United States using a visitor visa and does not need a media visa, as long as he or she will not be reporting on newsworthy events.

Traveling with a Temporary Work Visa

While certain activities clearly qualify for the media visa because they are informational and news gathering in content, many do not. Each application is considered within the full context of its particular case. The consular officer focuses on whether the purpose of travel is essentially informational, and whether it is generally associated with the news gathering process, in order to determine if an applicant qualifies for a media visa. The list below describes situations when a temporary worker visa, such as types H, O, or P, are required instead of a type I journalist/media visa.

A temporary work visa may be used if your purpose of travel is for the following activities:

Filming material for commercial entertainment or advertising purposes

A media visa cannot be used by applicants whose purpose of travel to the United States is to film, or work on a film, intended primarily for commercial entertainment or advertising purposes. A temporary worker visa is required.

Production support roles such as proofreaders, librarians and set designers

People involved in associated activities such as proofreaders, librarians, set designers, etc., are not eligible for media visas and may qualify under another classification, such as H, O, or P visas.

Stories that are staged events, television and quiz shows

Stories that involve contrived and staged events, even when unscripted, such as reality television shows and quiz shows, are not primarily informational and do not generally involve journalism. Similarly, documentaries involving staged recreations with actors are also not considered informational. Members of the team working on such productions will not qualify for media visa. Television, radio, and film production companies may wish to seek expert counsel from an immigration attorney who specializes in media work for specific advice tailored to the current project.

Producing artistic media content

Media representatives who will travel to the U.S. in order to participate in the production of artistic media content (in which actors are used) will not qualify for a media visa. Television, radio, and film production companies may wish to seek expert counsel from an immigration attorney who specializes in media work for specific advice tailored to the current project.

Dependents

Spouses or unmarried children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the duration of his or her stay require derivative I visas. Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas.

Spouses and dependents may not work in the United States on a derivative I visa. If the spouse or dependent seeks employment, the appropriate work visa will be required.

Application Items

To apply for an I visa, you must submit the following:

  • An Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160). Visit the DS-160 web page for more information about the DS-160.
  • A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
  • A receipt showing payment of your US$160 non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application processing fee paid in local currency. This web page has more information about paying this fee. If a visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee, depending on your nationality. The Department of State's website can help you find out if you must pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee and what the fee amount is.
  • Proof of employment:
    • Staff Journalist: A letter from your employer that gives your name, your position held within the company, and the purpose and length of your stay in the United States.
    • Freelance Journalist under contract to a media organization: A copy of the contract with the media organization showing your name, your position held within the company, the duration of contract, and the purpose and length of your stay in the United States.
    • Media Film Crew: A letter from your employer showing your name, your position held within company, the title and a brief description of the program being filmed, and the purpose and length of your stay in the United States.
    • Independent Production Company under contract to media organization: A letter from the organization commissioning the work showing your name, the title and a brief description of the program being filmed, the duration of the contract, and the period of time required for filming in the United States.

In addition to these items, you must present an interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment through this service. You may also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.

How to Apply

Step 1

Determine your visa type by reading Common Nonimmigrant Visas. Each visa type explains the qualifications and application items. Choose the visa type that applies to your situation.

Be sure to also review the Visa Waiver Program. If your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you do not need to apply for a visa if you are traveling for business or pleasure and will only be staying in the Unites States for 90 days or less.

Step 2

The next step is to complete the DS-160 Form. Be sure to read the Guidelines for Completing the DS-160 Form carefully. All information must be correct and accurate. Once the form is submitted, you cannot make any changes. If you need assistance, please consult an immigration lawyer or translator. The call center cannot help you complete your DS-160. You will need your DS-160 number in step 5 to book your appointment.

Step 3

Visit www.ustraveldocs.com/do to create a profile with your biographical data and information relevant to the visa class for which you are applying. As you go through the process you will be able to select your visa type, enter personal data, add dependents, and select your document delivery location. After completing your profile, you will be directed a confirmation page that lists the visa fee amount due. If you are applying with family members, you will be able to group your profiles and see the total amount due for the family. Please print this page and take it to Banco Popular in order to pay the application fee.

Step 4

Now that you have completed the DS-160 and your online profile, you must pay the application fee. The visa fee page lists the visa types and correlating fee in U.S. dollars and local currency, Payments can only be made in local currency (Dominican pesos) at the current rate of exchange. You can pay the fee at any Banco Popular Dominicano location. More information about payment options is here. To find a Banco Popular Dominicano branch, click here.

Step 5

After paying the application fee at the bank, return to www.ustraveldocs.com/do and sign in to your profile. Navigate to Schedule Appointment and answer the questions regarding your previous visa, if any. It is important to answer the questions carefully and truthfully; these questions will determine whether you need appointments at both the Embassy and Visa Application Center (VAC), an appointment at the VAC only, or if you qualify for mail-in service in lieu of an appointment.

The majority of applicants must program two appointments: one at the Visa Application Center (VAC) and another at the Embassy.

  • First, schedule your appointment at the Embassy.
  • Second, schedule your appointment at the Visa Application Center to take your photograph and fingerprints. This appointment should be completed at least one day before your interview at the Embassy, although same-day appointments may be available for applicants from remote areas.

Once you are in the system, you will see your dashboard.

Click on Schedule Appointment on the left-hand side menu.

This will start the process for scheduling your appointment. You will need three items to schedule your appointment:

  1. Your passport number.
  2. The receipt number from your Visa Fee receipt. Click here if you need help finding this number.
  3. The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page.
Step 6

On the date of your appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) you will need:

  • A passport with validity at least six months beyond the time you will stay in United States (unless other agreements establish exceptions to this policy). If more than one person is included in the passport, each person who needs a visa must submit an application.
  • Confirmation sheet from the DS-160.
  • If the applicant is younger than 8 years and is not attending the interview, a photograph meeting the Department of State´s requirements must also be submitted. See Photographs and Digital Fingerprints for more information.
Step 7

After your appointment at the VAC to take your fingerprints and photograph, you will need to attend an interview at the U.S. Embassy. Visit the U.S. Embassy on the date and time of your visa interview, arriving no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time. You should bring:

  • Confirmation sheet for the appointment
  • Confirmation sheet for the DS-160
  • Your current passport with a barcode added at the VAC and previous passports
  • Any documents that support you application, depending on the type of visa solicited

The U.S. Embassy will not receive incomplete applications.

ATTENTION! Applicants ages 8 and younger do not need to attend the VAC and Embassy appointments. Only the parents or legal guardians of these applicants are required to be present for the VAC and Embassy appointments.

If your visa is approved, your visa will be ready for pick-up at the Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) location you selected.

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents are only one of many factors a consular officer will consider in your interview. Consular officers look at each application individually and consider professional, social, cultural and other factors during adjudication. Consular officers may look at your specific intentions, family situation, and your long-range plans and prospects within your country of residence. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law.

Caution: Do not present false documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent visa ineligibility. If confidentiality is a concern, you should bring your documents to the U.S. Embassy in a sealed envelope. Applicants should unseal the envelope at the interview window and hand the document to the consular officer. The U.S. Embassy will not make your information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of your information.

You should bring the following documents to your interview:

  • Press card/credentials
  • A letter from your employer indicating the purpose of your trip, the intended length of your stay, the number of years you have been with your employer and the number of years of journalism experience you have.

Supporting Documents for Dependents

If your spouse and/or child apply for a visa at a later date, a copy of your media visa must be presented with the application.

More Information

For more information about visas for journalists and media workers, visit the Department of State's website.