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. (PDF 114 KB)

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?

Please see our How to Apply for a Visa page.

Which documents are required to apply for an I visa?

Please see our Documents Required for Visa Application page. 

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.