NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS
I- Visa For The Media
Representatives of the media traveling to the US on assignment may be eligible
for classification under the I-visa category. This includes members of the press,
radio, film or television whose activities are essential to the foreign media
function, such as reporters, film crews, editors and persons in similar
occupations. Only those who are actually involved in the newsgathering process
are eligible (proof readers, librarians, or set designers are not eligible).
Freelance journalists and members of independent production companies may apply
for an I-visa if they are under contract to a media organization.
Those engaged in the production or distribution of film only qualify for an
I-visa if the material being filmed will be used to disseminate information or
news, and the primary source of funding and point of distribution will be
outside the US. All published material must be documentary in nature.
Individuals or companies commissioned to work on film projects of commercial or
entertainment value require the appropriate work visa (O, P or H), which
involves obtaining employment authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) before applying for a visa.
I-visas are also appropriate for foreign journalists working for an overseas
branch, office, or subsidiary of a US network, newspaper, or other media outlet
if the journalist is going to the US to report on US events solely for a foreign
audience. If the journalist will replace or augment American journalists
reporting on US events for an American audience, a work visa will be required.
Required Documents
In order to process an I-visa application, please submit the following in addition to all basic
application documents:
A copy of your press ID
A letter from the editor stating your intentions in the US
The length of your proposed stay.
Freelance journalists and members of independent production companies
must also submit a copy of their contract with a media organization.
GENERAL DOCUMENTS NEEDED
All I visa applicants, even children and babies listed in parents' passports are required
to:
Complete the application form
DS-156. (The visa application form DS-156 must
be completed on-line, printed with the bar code and signed. Please, follow the instructions carefully.)
Forms DS-156 not completed on line will not be accepted. NOTE: The
latest Adobe Acrobat version is needed to
Complete the supplemental nonimmigrant form
DS-157. Filled out and signed.
pay a visa application fee
Every visa applicant is required to pay a visa application fee of the equivalent of
131 U.S. Dollars.
Please request payment into the following account number:
Banco Santander Central Hispano (BSCH)
0049-1803-54-2210316035
Note. BANK TRANSFERS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED
Nationals of some countries will have to pay
an additional visa fee based on reciprocal fees their governments charge
Americans applying for similar visas. There is no reciprocal issuance fee for
Spanish or Andorran citizens. Payment is not yet available on line.
Read more...
PRESENT A PASSPORT OR OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENT
Valid for at least six months beyond the holder's period of stay in the United States with at
least one blank page - the six-month requirement does not apply to Spanish
passports. Read more…
PROVIDE ONE PASSPORT TYPE PHOTOGRAPH
Which meets State Department regulations
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS
Staff Journalist - a letter from the employer that gives the following information:
name; position held within the company and purpose and length of stay in the United States.
Freelance Journalist under contract to a media organization - a letter from the
organization that gives the following information: name; purpose and length of stay in the U.S.
and duration of contract.
Media Film Crew - a letter from the employer which gives the following information:
name; position held within company; title and brief description of the program being
filmed and period of time required for filming in the United States.
Independent Production Company - a letter from the employer which gives the following
information: name; position held within company; title and brief description of the program being
filmed and period of time required for filming in the United States.
ADDITIONAL PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION FOR
ISSUANCE FEES
Nationals of certain countries are required to pay an issuance fee in order for an approved
visa to be issued. No fee is charged for the issuance of an I visa to a Spanish
or Andorran citizen passport holder. Read more...
WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
Applicants aged 14 to 79 are required to schedule an appointment for an interview. Applicants
under the age of 14 and those 80 and over may be eligible to apply for a visa by
mail.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Visa applications, in some instances, take longer to process to conclusion. We
recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed
date of travel and do not make final travel plans until the visa has been issued
and they are in receipt of their passport and visa.
Read more...
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