Category I Visas

Representatives of the foreign media traveling to the United States on assignment, engaged in filming a news event or documentary require a non-immigrant visa under the I visa category.

Working media cannot travel without a visa on the Visa Waiver Program. Citizens from a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), who want to enter the United States temporarily, as representatives of the foreign media traveling to the United States, engaging in their profession, as media or journalists, must first obtain a media visa to come to the U.S. They cannot travel without a visa on the Visa Waiver Program. Those who attempt to do travel without a visa, on the Visa Waiver Program may be denied admission to the United States by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. immigration inspector at the port of entry.

Representatives of the foreign media include, but are not limited to, members of the press, radio, or film whose activities are essential to the foreign media function, such as reporters, film crews, video tape editors and persons in similar occupations.

Important: Freelance journalists and members of independent production companies traveling to the U.S. on assignment must be under contract to a media organization and hold a credential issued by a professional journalistic association.

How to apply

Visit the How to Apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa section of this site.  Additional documentation required when applying for an I category visa:

1. A letter from your employer including name, position held with the company and length of time employed, exact purpose of travel and length of proposed stay.
2. Press card/credentials.

Freelance journalists and members of independent production companies must submit the following:

1. A letter from the organization commissioning the work which gives the following information: name; title and description of the program being filmed; period of time required for filming in the U.S. and duration of contract.
2. press card/ credentials.

Note: Individuals and/or companies commissioned to work on film projects of a commercial or entertainment value, require the appropriate work visas (O, P or H) which will involve obtaining employment authorization from the office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service before applying for a visa at this Embassy.

Please check the visa application procedures page of this web site for  further information regarding applying for the visa.