The I visa is a temporary visa for all journalists and other media workers who travel to the US for jobs related to the media. This means that they are actively engaged in collecting and disseminating information on current news events in the US. To obtain this visa, they must be employed by a foreign media company or organization based outside the US.

Reporters, film crews, video tape editors, employees of independent production companies, freelance journalists working under contract, and persons in similar occupations are eligible for this visa. The media you represent should have an office in your home country; and both print and film activities are included in this category.

Although the production companies are not themselves affiliated with newspaper or electronic news medium, as the companies’ employees are, you may still be accorded an I visa.

Note: Only those who are involved in the newsgathering process are eligible (proofreaders, librarians, or set designers are not eligible).