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work/investment

Media visa (I)

Journalists or news media representatives/employees who will engage in news gathering must apply for a media (I) visa. An I visa may be also used to film, record or videotape material for educational purposes. A skilled worker (H) visa is required for entertainment films or commercial-type videos.

All I visa applicants must apply by interview. You must schedule an appointment through Visa Information Web Services at www.us-visaservices.com.

All I visa applicants between the age of 14 and 80 are required to be finger scanned at the time of their interview. If your left or right index finger is injured (i.e. cut, stitched, bandaged, etc.), we highly recommend that you reschedule your interview for a day after your finger has healed. If we are unable to digitally scan your index fingerprint, we will not be able to process your application and you may be required to return to the Embassy.

Please be on time for your appointment. Your appointment time is when we expect you to check in at the first floor of the U.S. Embassy Seoul, Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) branch, to begin your NIV application processing. You will be interviewed after check-in. Late applicants will not be processed. Applicants are responsible for knowing their appointment time and arriving on-time to their NIV appointment.

Please understand that we try to process visa applications as quickly as possible. Please help us by ensuring that all your documents are complete and correct. Please apply early for your visa, as we can never guarantee visa processing in time to suit your travel plans. Please understand that U.S. law requires us to process each application separately on its own merits. We can never give assurance of visa issuance.

Please bring the following with you to your scheduled appointment:  

  • A passport valid for travel to the United States with any plastic/leather cases removed. 
    (Note: A passport with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States is required for certain countries, unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions.  Korean and certain other country passports are exempt from this requirement.)
  • A completed and signed Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-156) with photo. 
  • Form DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, is required to be submitted with Form DS-156 by all male nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants between the age of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality or place of application.
  • A receipt from Shinhan Bank for the visa processing fee. The fee may be paid at any of the bank's branches in Korea. There is a branch only a short walk from the Embassy; more       
  • Proof of membership in a professional journalistic organization (such as a press card), or an employment letter stating employment status, whether the position is permanent or temporary, purpose of travel and length of stay.  Freelance media workers must also submit a valid contract of employment.
  • A courier receipt from an Embassy-approved courier company within Korea. Courier forms are available through the Ilyang (1588-0002; www.ilyanglogis.com) or Hanjin (1588-0011; www.hanjin.co.kr) courier companies.

Note: The consular officer may request additional information if needed.

For more information on I visas, please click here.

 

 


Updated: November 13, 2009