--- title: I Visa: Journalist and Foreign Media Visa Explained | Lando url: https://trylando.com/i-visa description: The I visa is for bona fide representatives of foreign press, radio, film and other foreign media. Who qualifies, how to apply at a U.S. --- # I Visa: Journalist and Foreign Media Visa Explained The I visa is for bona fide representatives of foreign press, radio, film and other foreign media. Who qualifies, how to apply at a U.S. consulate, family, and I visas issued by country. Page reviewed October 30, 2026. What it is The I visa is a nonimmigrant visa for a bona fide representative of foreign press, radio, film or other foreign information media who travels to the United States solely to work in that role. There is no USCIS petition: you apply directly at a U.S. embassy or consulate with a DS-160 and papers showing your employer or contract. Working journalists cannot use the Visa Waiver Program or a visitor visa for that work. The State Department issued 12,425 I visas in fiscal year 2025, by our sums of its monthly tables, and the United Kingdom received the most. Lando's flat fee is $8,000. I visas issued, FY202512,425Our sums of State Department monthly tables. The UK received the most, 2,222. Lando flat fee$8,000Application preparation. The State Department's application fee is separate. USCIS petitionNoneYou apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate. FamilyCan applyA spouse and unmarried children can get I visas but cannot work on them. ## What the I visa is The statute covers a bona fide representative of foreign press, radio, film or other foreign information media who seeks to enter the United States solely to engage in that vocation, and the spouse and children who accompany or follow to join. Admission is on a basis of reciprocity, so what the visa allows depends on how the person's country treats U.S. media. The State Department's guide says representatives of the foreign media who will work in their profession as media or journalists cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Program or on a visitor (B) visa. - [I visa requirements](https://trylando.com/i-visa-requirements) ## Who qualifies - The media organization must be engaged in the regular gathering, production or dissemination of journalistic information, by print, radio, television, internet or other media, and must have its home office in a foreign country. - The people who qualify include journalists, researchers, producers, presenters and other on-air staff, and people whose work is essential support to the media function, such as film crews and video editors. - Freelancers can qualify with a valid contract for services from an organization that has a home office abroad. Employees of independent production companies and some new-media creators can qualify, depending on the facts. - The foreign government must grant similar privileges to U.S. media with offices in that country. The State Department's reciprocity schedule shows what each country receives. - [Freelance journalists, film crews and creators](https://trylando.com/i-visa-freelance-journalists) ## What counts as journalistic information The Foreign Affairs Manual describes journalistic information as primarily informational: reporting on recent or important events, investigative reporting, or producing educational materials such as documentaries. It does not include content designed primarily to entertain, including scripted or contrived situations such as most reality television, material aimed at fan engagement, or work made for promotional or marketing purposes. ## How the application works - Complete the online DS-160 and upload a photo. - Pay the visa application fee and book an interview. The State Department says interviews are generally required, with limited exceptions. - Bring your passport, the DS-160 confirmation, the fee receipt and your photo. A journalist working under contract or freelance for a foreign media organization presents a valid contract. An employee of an independent production company generally presents a credential issued by a professional journalistic association, with a few exceptions. - Give fingerprints at the consulate. The State Department notes that an application may need further administrative processing. ## Stay and family How long a media representative is admitted for, and how extensions work, is the part of the rules that is changing. The family section covers the spouse and unmarried children, who can apply for I visas but are not authorized to work on them. - [I visa stay, extension and family](https://trylando.com/i-visa-stay-and-family) ## I visa data and countries The State Department issued 10,841 I visas in FY2023, 12,939 in FY2024 and 12,425 in FY2025, by our sums of its monthly tables. The visa count combines principals and dependents. - [I visas issued by country and post](https://trylando.com/i-visa-statistics) - [I visa for British citizens](https://trylando.com/i-visa-united-kingdom) - [I visa for Japanese citizens](https://trylando.com/i-visa-japan) - [I visa for Mexican citizens](https://trylando.com/i-visa-mexico) - [I visa for German citizens](https://trylando.com/i-visa-germany) - [I visa for French citizens](https://trylando.com/i-visa-france) - [I visa for Brazilian citizens](https://trylando.com/i-visa-brazil) - [I visa for Spanish citizens](https://trylando.com/i-visa-spain) - [I visa for South Korean citizens](https://trylando.com/i-visa-south-korea) ## What the $8,000 fee covers Lando's flat fee for the I visa is $8,000. It covers preparing the application: a review of your work against the foreign-media tests, the employer letter or contract and the credentials that support it, the DS-160, interview preparation, and applications for a spouse and unmarried children. The I visa has no USCIS petition, so there is no petition filing, no Request for Evidence and no USCIS filing fee, and the fee-back terms that apply to Lando's petition-based visas do not apply here. The State Department's visa application fee is separate and is paid to the State Department. A consular officer decides every application, and Lando does not promise an outcome. ## Related guides - [O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability](https://trylando.com/o1-visa) - [O-1B visa for artists and film](https://trylando.com/o1b-visa) - [Pricing](https://trylando.com/pricing) How it works ## From first call to your interview - 1. Evaluation ### You get an honest answer. We review your work and your media employer or contracts on a 15-minute call and tell you honestly whether you fit the foreign-media tests. - 2. Documents ### You know what proves each test. We map the employer letter or freelance contract, the credentials and the other papers to each test, and what is still missing. - 3. Application ### Your application is prepared. We prepare the DS-160 and the document set, and prepare you for the interview, including applications for a spouse and children if they travel. - 4. Interview ### You attend the consular interview. The I visa has no USCIS petition. A consular officer decides the application, and Lando does not promise an outcome. ## Common questions What is the I visa?+ A nonimmigrant visa for a bona fide representative of foreign press, radio, film or other foreign information media who comes to the U.S. solely to work in that role. The spouse and unmarried children can apply too. Does the I visa need a USCIS petition?+ No. It is a consular application. You apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate with a DS-160 and documents that show your employer or contract. Can a journalist travel on ESTA or a B visa?+ No. The State Department says representatives of the foreign media who will work as media or journalists cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Program or on a visitor visa. Can a freelance journalist get an I visa?+ Yes, with a valid contract for services from an organization that has a home office abroad. The Foreign Affairs Manual sets that test. Can an I visa holder's spouse work?+ No. A spouse and unmarried children can apply for I visas, but the regulation says employment authorization does not extend to the dependents of a foreign information media representative. Does Lando guarantee an I visa?+ No. A consular officer decides every application, and Lando does not promise an outcome. Lando is not a law firm. Is Lando a law firm?+ No. Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. For advice about your own situation, speak to a licensed immigration attorney. ## Sources - [U.S. Department of State: Visas for members of the foreign media](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/visas-members-foreign-media-press-radio.html) - [U.S. Department of State: 9 FAM 402.11, Information Media Representatives (I Visas)](https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM040211.html) - [22 CFR 41.52, information media representatives, on eCFR](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-41.52) - [INA 101(a)(15)(I), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(I)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title8/html/USCODE-2023-title8-chap12-subchapI-sec1101.htm) - [U.S. Department of State: monthly nonimmigrant visa issuances](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/nonimmigrant-visa-statistics/monthly-nonimmigrant-visa-issuances.html) Checked October 2026. Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. --- Lando is not a law firm. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. Source: https://trylando.com/i-visa