The I visa category is reserved for representatives of the foreign media, including members of the press, radio, film or print industries, whose activities are essential to the foreign media function, such as reporters, film crews, editors and persons in similar occupations, traveling to the U.S. to engage in their profession.

I visa applicants may also include accredited representatives of tourist bureaus that are controlled, operated or subsidized in whole or in part by a foreign government, who engage primarily in disseminating factual tourist information about that country, and who are not entitled to A-2 visa classification. Employees in the U.S. offices of organizations, which distribute technical industrial information, may also be eligible for I visas.

Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal media visa holder in the U.S. for the duration of his/her stay require media visas (derivative I visas) but are not allowed to work in the U.S.

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