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THE
ABC'S OF IMMIGRATION - I VISAS FOR FOREIGN MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES
One of the lesser
known types of nonimmigrant work visas is the I visa for foreign media
representatives. While
the I visa is not widely known or used (only about 30,000 are issued
each year) it is a very useful visa.
To qualify for an I
visa, the person must be coming to the US solely to work for a foreign
media outlet, such as newspapers, radio, and television.
The visa is also available to those who will work for a
US-based subsidiary of the foreign media company, if the foreign
company wholly owns the US subsidiary.
The category includes not only those who are seen or heard, but
those whose work is essential for the functioning of the media,
including film crews, editors, and those in similar roles.
I visas are issued
only to nationals of countries that have an agreement with the US to
issue visas to US media representatives.
However, in practice this limitation does not have much effect,
as there are agreements between the US and all foreign nations.
Some specific
instances of when an I visa is appropriate are as follows:
- Representatives
of tourist bureaus operated by foreign governments, if the purpose
of the bureau is to provide factual information about the foreign
country,
- Representatives
of businesses and organizations that distribute technical
industrial information,
- Freelance
journalists who are under contract with a foreign organization to
produce news or information not intended for entertainment or
advertising purposes
I visas are not
necessary for foreign media representatives who will be covering the
United Nations. Instead,
they are generally classified as aliens in transit and do not require
a visa to attend UN meetings.
I visa applicants
are subject to most of the requirements for other nonimmigrant visas.
However, although the I visa is not a dual intent visa, the
alien does not have to maintain a foreign residence.
There is no limit
on the time a person can spend in the US on an I visa, but the visa is
issued in increments of one year only.
In order to extend an I visa, and application must be submitted
that includes a letter from the employer explaining the activities
that are the basis for the requested extension.
Dependents
of I visa holders are not given work authorization, although engaging
in employment will not be considered a violation of status.
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