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I Visa
Members of the Foreign Media, Press, and Radio
Overview
Apply
Pay Fees
Schedule an Interview
Local Information
Application Status

Overview

Based on your responses, you should apply for an I visa. This means that you are planning to visit the United States and are: 

        • An employee of foreign information media or employee of an independent production company having a credential issued by another country’s professional journalistic association engaged in filming a news event or documentary.
        • A member of the foreign media engaged in the production or distribution of film, if the material being filmed will be used to disseminate information, news, or is educational in nature. The primary source and distribution of funding must be outside the United States.
        • A journalist working under contract with a credential issued by another country’s professional journalistic association, if working on a product to disseminate information or news that is not primarily intended for commercial entertainment or advertising.
        • A foreign journalist traveling to the United States to report on U.S. events solely for a foreign audience, if the journalist works for an overseas media outlet having its home office in a foreign country.
        • An accredited representative of a tourist bureau, controlled, operated, or subsidized in whole or in part by a foreign government, who engages primarily in disseminating factual tourist information about that country, and who is not entitled to receive an A-2 visa as a foreign government official or employee.
        • An employee of an organization that distributes technical industrial information who will work in the U.S. office of that organization.

For more details on an I visa, visit Travel.State.gov.

Additional Information

        • You may travel to the United States on a media (I) visa to work in your profession as a foreign media representative and as part of the trip, take a vacation while in the United States.
        • Spouse and children – Your spouse and unmarried, minor children may apply for media (I) visas to accompany or join you to reside temporarily in the United States.
        • Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.
        • For information about employment and study, review Representative of Foreign Media and Employment Authorization on the USCIS website.

Be sure to view local information below to determine fees and payment process and additional requirements.

How to Apply

Complete the Online Visa Application

        • Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
        • Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

You should have the following documents available while you complete your DS-160:

        • Passport
        • Travel itinerary if you have already made travel arrangements.
        • Dates of your last five visits or trips to the United States if you have previously travelled to the United States. You may also be asked for your international travel history for the past five years.
        • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae – You may be required to provide information about your current and previous education and work history.
        • Other Information – Some applicants, depending on the intended purpose of travel, will be asked to provide additional information when completing the DS-160.

Some applicants will need to have additional information and documents handy while completing the DS-160

Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the U.S. embassy, consulate, or office providing consular services where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified.

As examples:

        • A journalist working under contract or free lance to a foreign media organization will need to present a valid contract of employment.
        • An employee of an independent production company, with a few exceptions, will need to present a credential issued by a professional journalistic association.

Once you complete your DS-160, gather the required documentation

        • Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.
        • Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
        • Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview
        • Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

Additional Information

We cannot guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.

        • You may travel to the United States on a media (I) visa to work in your profession as a foreign media representative and as part of the trip, take a vacation while in the United States.
        • Spouse and children – Your spouse and unmarried, minor children may apply for media (I) visas to accompany or join you to reside temporarily in the United States.
        • Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date.  Therefore, a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.
        • For information about employment and study, review Representative of Foreign Media and Employment Authorization on the USCIS website

For more information on the DS-160 please visit the Travel.State.gov FAQ page.

Pay Fees (Prices in U.S. Dollars)

Each Applicant must pay a non-refundable processing (MRV) fee of US$160.00.

For some nationalities and visa types, an additional issuance fee may be required. Detailed information is available on your country of nationality’s Reciprocity Table on travel.state.gov. These additional fees will be paid at the time of your interview.

Schedule an Interview

Schedule an interview online (using the barcode of your Form DS-160) and print the appointment confirmation. Because of space limitations in our public waiting area, only the person with an appointment for an interview will be admitted. Exceptions: Parents or guardians of a minor child who has an appointment, a caregiver for a disabled person, and young children accompanying the person with an appointment will be allowed to enter the waiting area.

Applicants aged 14 – 79 are required (some exceptions for renewals) to book one interview slot each and appear in person for an interview with a consular officer. While an interview is generally not required for children aged 13 and younger or for adults aged 80 and older, please keep in mind that a consular officer can require any applicant to appear for an interview. When submitting an application for a non-present child, the person present at the interview should bring the child’s birth certificate or family book as a supporting document.

Local Information

Please read the information in this section carefully.  It contains location-specific information that you will need to know when applying for your Visa.

Select the country or area where you will apply for your visa:


    Application Status

    You can check the status of your visa application on ceac.state.gov.

    Some visa applications may require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case.