USCIS : I Visa Foreign Media Visa

The I Visa is available to media employees including reporters, freelance journalists and film crew members. But mainstream filmmakers are not eligible for this status. I visas are available to persons only to work for a foreign media outlet, or a U.S.-based subsidiary of a foreign media company. Freelance journalists and members of independent production companies will only be considered for the I visa classification if they are under contract to a media organization. Foreign media covering the United Nations do not need an I visa.

As for the duration of the visa, it is generally issued by increments of one year only. To obtain an extension, a specific application must be submitted which includes explanatory documents from the employer justifying stay in the US.

Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 may be eligible for a derivative I status. and employers must offer a letter detailing the position. I visas, however, are not available to fiancé(e)s.