What journalistic activities are acceptable under the I-visa category?

Persons involved in the production of films/news reports/articles etc. can only qualify for the I-visa, if the filmed material is strictly news or information material and solely intended for a foreign audience, and the company financing the production is based outside the US. The published material has to be of a documentary nature!

The gathering of material for commercial or advertising purposes does not qualify for this category.

IMPORTANT: Of course, journalists and members of media companies do not always have to apply for a visa regardless of the purpose of the trip. If, for example, an editor travels to the US for a short meeting, no I-visa is required. It only has to be applied for, if the purpose of the trip is to gather news or report on US events.

Not the job title “journalist,” but the purpose of the trip is the decisive factor. In some cases, visa-free travel or the B-1 visa may be appropriate. In order to avoid difficulties, please make sure to carefully consider the conditions of the trip before deciding on a visa category.