I Visa

Citizens of West European countries can remain in the United States for up to 90 days without a visa when conducting limited business activities.  Many employees of media outlets still travel to the U.S. without a visa (Visa Waiver Program) or with a B-1 (Business) visa.  However, travel involving journalistic activities requires a special journalist (I) visa.

Representatives of foreign media who are traveling to the United States for business reasons can qualify for an I-Visa.

Included in this classification are members of print and audiovisual media, whose activities are essential for the foreign media organization, for example reporters, film crews, editors, and persons in similar occupations.  Journalists and other employees of independent production firms, whether permanent employees or working as freelancers, can also qualify for an I-visa if they are under contract and can show regular assignments in the past.  A connection with a media organization in the home country is an indispensible prerequisite for the issuance of an I visa.  As a rule the U.S. Consulate requires a valid press pass at the time of application.

Please be aware that only people are involved in producing news reports qualify for an I visa.  Those who are working on the production and distribution of films/reports/article etc. fulfill the requirements for an I visa only when the produced material will be used to disseminate news information and the main source of funding as well as the later principal distribution point are both outside of the United States.  The published material must be of a documentary character.  Exclusively commercial film projects don’t qualify for this visa category.

Of course journalists or media employees aren’t required in every instance to travel with an I visa.  For example, an editor traveling to the U.S. for a short meeting doesn’t implicitly mean an application for an I visa. This is only necessary when journalistic activities within the framework of news reporting in the United States are being carried out.  It’s not the occupation of journalist, but the concrete purpose of travel that determines whether for example visa free travel can be used or a B-1 visa or work visa is required.  In order not to endanger projects, a complete review of the requirements for each visa should be done ahead of time.

An I visa doesn’t entitle the holder to start working for an American media outlet.  It only permits professional activities as part of a work assignment for an employer located outside of the United States.

Journalists who have been assigned to work on a commercial film production for the U.S. entertainment industry or a foreign production company need an appropriate work visa (O, P or H visa).