I I Representatives of Foreign Media

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	I, Foreign Media Representative
Purpose	Foreign media professional activities
Stay	Generally duration of status
Cost	Set by Department of State
Eligibility timing	Not stated in the source
Work rights	Same employer and medium
Study	Dependents may study
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	I visa required for media work
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Spouse and children under 21
Visa record	Form I-94 controls stay
Application location	Embassy or consulate jurisdiction

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Purpose

The I nonimmigrant visa is for representatives of foreign information media coming to the United States solely to work in their profession.

Covered occupations include reporters, film crews, editors, and similar roles.

Eligibility

You must:

• Represent a foreign press, radio, film, or other information media outlet;
• Have a home office in a foreign country;
• Come to the United States solely for the media profession; and
• Be a bona fide media representative whose activities are essential to your organization.

A U.S. consular officer decides whether the proposed activity qualifies.

Application

Apply for an I visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence.

The Department of State sets application processing and visa issuance fees. See the Department of State’s I visa instructions.

Change of Status or Employer

File Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, if you:

• Seek to change from another nonimmigrant status to I status; or
• Hold I status and change employer or information medium.

Include:

• Evidence of current status; and
• A letter from the foreign media organization describing employment and confirming your media representation.

Stay and Extensions

A CBP officer determines admission at entry and records the authorized stay on Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.

I status is generally granted for duration of status (D/S). No extension application is required while you continue working for the same employer in the same information medium.

If your Form I-94 has a specific end date, file Form I-539 before that date to request more time.

PRC Passport Holders

Eligible I nonimmigrants from the People’s Republic of China, except holders of Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR passports, may be admitted or granted status only for the authorized purpose, up to 90 days.

To continue I activities beyond the I-94 date, file Form I-539 for up to 90 days. Multiple timely filed extensions may be requested if assignments remain consistent with I classification.

You may remain in the United States while a timely filed extension is pending. Departing while it is pending may result in denial.

Work Conditions

You may work only in the authorized foreign-media role.

For a timely filed extension request, you may continue working for the same employer and in the same medium for:

• Up to 90 days after I-94 expiration; or
• The shorter extension period requested.

Stop work if more than 90 days pass after I-94 expiration and the extension remains pending.

If an extension is denied after I-94 expiration, immediately stop work and depart the United States.

Family Members

Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may apply for I nonimmigrant visas to accompany or follow to join you.

If they apply later, they must provide a copy of your I visa.

Family members:

• Cannot work in I status; and
• May study without applying for F-1 student status.

Family members visiting only for vacation, without residing with you, may instead use a B-2 visa or the Visa Waiver Program if eligible.

Important Warnings

You cannot travel to the United States to perform foreign-media work without an I visa, including if you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program.

Traveling without the appropriate visa may result in denial of admission at the port of entry. Limited circumstances may permit travel using a visitor visa; see the Department of State guidance.