Who is eligible for the I-Visa?

Foreign media representatives traveling to the US to gather information for the media can qualify for the I-visa.

This includes members of both the print media and electronic media whose activities are essential to the foreign media company, such as reporters, film crews, editors and persons of similar occupations. Freelance journalists and members of independent media companies (regularly employed or freelance) can also qualify for the I-visa, if they are under contract to a foreign media organization to work in the US and have had regular contracts (fees) in the past. For both freelance and regularly employed journalists, the entire trip has to be paid for by the employer.

The journalist must be working for a media company in his or her own home country in order to be eligible for the I-visa. Usually, the US consulate insists on seeing a valid press ID.

Please note that only persons involved in the gathering of news can qualify for the I-visa.