work/investment

Media visa (I)

Journalists or news media representatives/employees who will engage in news gathering must apply for an 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 signed passport valid for at least six months.
• A completed and signed Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-156/DS-157) with photo (See "photo requirements" for the DS-156) for each person applying. DS-156/DS-157 can be downloaded here.
• 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 
• A letter from your employer sponsor confirming employment as a journalist or news media representative/employee and stating purpose of your trip.
• if applying with family with family members, Certificate of Family Relationship (previously referred to as Family Census Registry).  Note in certain cases the Embassy may also ask to see additional documents including Basic Certificate, Certificate of Marital Status, and/or Adoption Certificate.
•  If applying separately from the principal applicant, family members must also include a clear photocopy of the principal applicant's passport and I visa.
•  A courier receipt from an Embassy-approved courier company (Ilyang:1588-0002; Hanjin: 1588-0011) within Korea. You may get courier receipts at the courier service offices near the the Embassy or by contacting either Ilyang or Hanjin courier company directly. more
•  All non-English documents must be translated into English.

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For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please go to USA VISA Information Services at http://www.us-visaservices.com. USA VISA Information Services is available 24 hours a day, and can be accessed from both inside and outside of Korea.

For nonimmigrant visa (NIV) inquiries (excluding E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries), please e-mail us at : seoulniv@state.gov. For E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries, please e-mail us at : seoulgoldteam@state.gov.

The applicant, not the U.S. Government, assumes full responsibility for all documents and materials submitted in connection with any consular or visa matter, and for qualifying for the required visa or travel document in time to meet the applicant's needs.

This is an official U.S. Government source of information on the WWW. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents.


Updated January 17, 2008