Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Visas

I Visa - Media Representatives

This category includes members of foreign press, radio, film or other foreign information media. Television crews are included for information and news, but not for commercial entertainment

General

An alien media representative may be granted this status if they are representative of a foreign press, radio, film or other information media whose main office is located in a foreign country. The alien’s principal place of employment must therefore be shown to be outside the United States. The country in which the main office is located must be one which allows foreign media representatives into their country when the media representatives have their main base in the United States. Thus, reciprocity with the foreign country involved is necessary. 

The spouse and children of the media representative are also permitted to enter the United States under this visa category, both when accompanying or following to join. 

In order to qualify for the I visa, the alien must be considered essential to the foreign media function. This would include media reporters, media film crews, videotape editors 
and other persons in similar occupations. Persons associated with independent film companies may also be granted an I visa, so long as they have credentials from a professional journalistic association. So long as the intention of the work is not for commercial entertainment or advertising, and the alien has a valid employment contract, the alien may be a freelance media worker.

This does not include film production/distribution unless the film is informational or educational. Thus, persons involved with films that are for entertainment purposes are excluded from this category. This category also does not include persons who are not 
directly associated with these activities, such as proofreaders.

The alien must show that he is admissible under the general immigration laws. He must show that he is entering the US solely for the purpose of representing a foreign media and must have credentials testifying to that. He must show that he will depart the US once this task is finished. However, the alien does not have to prove that he has a foreign address that he has no intention of abandoning.

Once the alien establishes that he is qualified for this status, he may be admitted for the duration of his intended employment, up to one year.

The alien may apply for extensions of stay of the original visa, by submitting an application and letter setting forth the reasons for the request. Extensions may be granted in periods of one year each. There is no limit on the amount of extensions that are possible.

Adjustment of Status

There are no restrictions on adjustment of status for this category.

Employment of Spouse and Children

Although the media representative’s spouse and children are not authorized for work in the United States, the INS does not consider their employment to be volatile of their status, so long as the principal alien remains in status.