Nonimmigrant Visa Unit
I Visa (Representatives of Foreign Information Media and Dependents)
What is an I visa?
An I visa is for representatives of foreign press, radio, film or other foreign information media who wish to travel temporarily to the United States to work in the newsgathering process. Some of the professions that may qualify for an I visa are:
- Media reporters/staff journalist
- Media film crews producing information or news programs
- Videotape editors
- Employees of independent production companies of educational/informational media
- Freelance journalists under contract to media organizations
- Employee of foreign government tourist bureau involved in disseminating factual tourist information
Only those individuals involved in the newsgathering process are eligible. Some of the activities that DO NOT qualify for an I visa include:
- Proofreaders
- Librarians
- Set designers
- Guest speakers or lecturers
- Members of film crews seeking to produce media for commercial, entertainment, or advertising purposes
For a more complete explanation of the definition of “representative of foreign media,” and the activities permitted with an I visa, please see 9 FAM 41.52.
Spouse and Children of an I Principal Alien
Spouses and children under the age of 21, regardless of nationality, can apply for and receive I visas to accompany or follow-to-join the principal alien in the United States. Derivatives receive the same visa classification as the principal alien.
How do I apply for an I visa?
Follow the below steps in order to apply for an I visa at the Embassy:
- Purchase a personal identification number. If you are in the United States, skip this step and go to step 2.
- Contact our Visa Information Center to schedule an appointment with the consular officer.
- Pay the nonrefundable visa application fee.
- Appear at the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit on the date/time of your visa interview appointment.
What documents are required in order to apply for an I visa?
Every I visa applicant must provide the following documents:
- A valid passport with at least six months’ validity remaining. Note that we are unable to process visas for applicants whose passports contain any type of powder. Also, we cannot accept damaged passports.
- A completed and signed Form DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application). You may obtain Form DS-156 at any authorized Banco Helm office, or you may download the form from our website. If you download it from our website, make sure to print both pages of the form on one letter-size (8.5 inches by 11 inches) sheet of paper, front and back. You must take the completed form to Banco Helm when you pay the nonrefundable visa application fee.
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For applicants who are at least 14 years of age but under 80, a completed and signed form DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application). You may obtain form DS-157 at any authorized Banco Helm offices, or you may download the form from our website.
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A photograph. Glue the photograph to the front of the Form DS-156 in the photograph space.
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A Colombian national identity card (cédula de identidad personal) for citizens of Colombia 18 years of age and older, a Colombia residency card for residents of Colombia 18 years of age and older, or an identification card for citizens and residents of Colombia under 18). If you just turned 18 and have not yet received your cedula or residency card, you must present the receipt issued by the Registraduría as well as the corresponding annotation on the passport.
What other documents may be required for I visa applicants?
A media reporter/staff journalist should be prepared to provide the following additional documents at the visa interview:
- Press credential.
- A letter from the media organization providing a brief description of the media organization and its role in the media industry, a brief description of the project, where the project will take place, and your intended length of stay in the United States. The letter should include your job description, the number of years you have been working for the company, your salary, and your experience.
A member of an independent production company should be prepared to provide the following additional documents at the visa interview:
- A letter from the media organization providing a brief description of the media organization and its role in the media industry, a brief description of the project, where the project will take place, and your intended length of stay in the United States. The letter should include your job description, the number of years you have been working for the company, your salary, and your experience.
- A copy of the contract between the production company and the media organization commissioning you to perform the intended work. Note that the film, video, or product must be of informational/educational nature. The film or video must not be used for commercial entertainment or advertising purposes.
A freelance journalist should be prepared to provide the following additional documents at the visa interview:
- A letter from you explaining your job description, your experience, the project, where the project will take place, and your intended length of stay in the United States.
- A copy of the contract from the media organization commissioning you to perform the intended work.
- A copy of the press credential or other document that demonstrates you are an accredited, professional media worker, or journalist.
An employee of a government tourist bureau should be prepared to provide the following additional documents at the visa interview:
- A letter from the government tourist bureau providing a brief description of the tourist bureau and its information dissemination activities, where the activities will take place, and your intended length of stay in the United States. The letter should include your job description, the number of years you have been working for the government organization, your salary, and your experience.
- Evidence of the your accreditation as a representative of a tourist bureau that is controlled, operated or subsidized in whole or in part by a foreign government and that engages primarily in disseminating factual tourist information about that country.
Important Note: As a result of strict security procedures, some applications may require longer processing times. The application process cannot be accelerated, so you should not make final travel plans or purchase nonrefundable tickets until/unless you receive your visa. Visa applicants should never assume that their application will be approved.