I-Visa (journalist) vs. B1- which one has less troubles

[kikithekat 0]

Hey guys,

i got denied the visa waiver because of a previous journey to iran. For a job as the DOP of a documentary, i needed to travel to the states in February. But representative at the embassy assest me and said i needed to apply for a I-Visa because of the nature of this film. AS they couldnt issue ANY visa in time for the job, so he put the status on pending. Now i have another job coming up for a commercial brand and wanted to reactivate my visa. Yet again they want to go ahead with I-Visa. But i have heard that an I-Visa has a few fall downs and you always have trouble at the borderimmigration and that it wont be wise to apply for this if i could also get a B1.

Is there anybody with experiences of an I-Visa here? What are the difficulties? Any advices?

Thanks

kiki

[az2014 381]

No idea about this journalist visa but you cannot work on a B1 visa so why are you even considering it?

Maybe take their advice instead of trying to play the system to suit yourself?

[kzielu 1,144]

Coming in with B-1 visa (assuming you get it), what exactly are you going to say reason for the visit is ? If you tell the truth (which you should), you're going to get sent back immediately and told to go get the right visa...

[kikithekat 0]

hey, on a buisness visa i am alllowed to work when i get paid from abroad. so, i would tell this.

[Jojo92122 1,924]

hey, on a buisness visa i am alllowed to work when i get paid from abroad. so, i would tell this.

The US Embassy told you that you need an I visa for your work. Why do you think you can get around this?

You need to look at the future. Screw with the system, then be prepared for the consequences.

[kikithekat 0]

i am asking what potential downsides a journalist visa would have and i am looking for an answer not parental advices.

[az2014 381]

hey, on a buisness visa i am alllowed to work when i get paid from abroad. so, i would tell this.

Ok, yes you are right.

When you get to the POE tell them you will be working while you are in the USA, which is ok as you are getting paid from abroad. They will stamp you straight in. My mistake.

[*Snowdrop* 603]

I had an I-visa for a while - it's for media professionals employed by a foreign media company needing to work on something for that foreign media company in the US. For example, I was a news reporter and the visa was for coming to the US to interview and create news reports for a broadcaster in the UK.

It was a very quick visa to get at the London Embassy with the right credentials.

You can only use it for the time it takes for your project or job - it's not for any other use. You can't use it to travel for pleasure for example.

While I had it in my passport I also travelled occasionally on the VWP to visit my boyfriend and was always asked whether I would be working because of the I-visa in my passport.

What difficulties are you worried about - getting the actual visa or using it?

[jan22 2,889]

hey, on a buisness visa i am alllowed to work when i get paid from abroad. so, i would tell this.

Not always. There are very specific regulations about what a jurnalist can do on a B visa -- and the Embassy has already told you that what you plan to do requires the I. They will not issue a B visa to do what they have already told you requires an "I". It is not a matter of you choosing a particular visa because you think it has "less trouble" -- the visa has to match the prinary purpose of your reason for going to the US.

[mindthegap 2,521]

As a Director of Photography with some credits under your belt I suspect that you may well be able to obtain an O1B visa - for individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in motion picture or television industry.

Do you have a US agent that could file an O petition for you?

You can also pay extra for premium processing which can speed it up to under a couple of weeks, and aided by a sprinkling of magic from a good O lawyer wording the petition the right way, it could work out well for you.

[kikithekat 0]

I had an I-visa for a while - it's for media professionals employed by a foreign media company needing to work on something for that foreign media company in the US. For example, I was a news reporter and the visa was for coming to the US to interview and create news reports for a broadcaster in the UK.

It was a very quick visa to get at the London Embassy with the right credentials.

You can only use it for the time it takes for your project or job - it's not for any other use. You can't use it to travel for pleasure for example.

While I had it in my passport I also travelled occasionally on the VWP to visit my boyfriend and was always asked whether I would be working because of the I-visa in my passport.

What difficulties are you worried about - getting the actual visa or using it?

Hey, i can get the I-Visa quite easy. I just heard that they would ask a lot of questions on the immigration when you have an I-Visa and it could be a pain to get in ( especially with trump on the horizon). YOu never had any problems here?

I had no idea that you couldnt travel for pleasure to the states with an I-Visa. I got my ESTA revoked as i was visiting Iran and i am not elegible for the VWP anymore. so that is actually a huge problem. :/

[kikithekat 0]

As a Director of Photography with some credits under your belt I suspect that you may well be able to obtain an O1B visa - for individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in motion picture or television industry.

Do you have a US agent that could file an O petition for you?

You can also pay extra for premium processing which can speed it up to under a couple of weeks, and aided by a sprinkling of magic from a good O lawyer wording the petition the right way, it could work out well for you.

oh wow. i had no idea!!! where would i find such an agent and what are the costs?

[*Snowdrop* 603]

Hey, i can get the I-Visa quite easy. I just heard that they would ask a lot of questions on the immigration when you have an I-Visa and it could be a pain to get in ( especially with trump on the horizon). YOu never had any problems here?

I had no idea that you couldnt travel for pleasure to the states with an I-Visa. I got my ESTA revoked as i was visiting Iran and i am not elegible for the VWP anymore. so that is actually a huge problem. :/

Every time you travel with the I-visa it has to be for a specific job reason - once you are there and working you can include a vacation and travel for pleasure but you can't just use it to enter the US like a travel visa.

When you enter the country they ask you exactly why you are there each time and how long you will be there for.

Maybe people who have problems entering are too vague about the work they will be doing and who for. It's important that any work produced is not for any domestic media companies.

[KierenHby 897]

Hey, i can get the I-Visa quite easy. I just heard that they would ask a lot of questions on the immigration when you have an I-Visa and it could be a pain to get in ( especially with trump on the horizon). YOu never had any problems here?

I had no idea that you couldnt travel for pleasure to the states with an I-Visa. I got my ESTA revoked as i was visiting Iran and i am not elegible for the VWP anymore. so that is actually a huge problem. :/

Trump individually has nothing to do with enforcement of US laws. Your entry into the US (on any visa) is solely at CBP's discretion.

Edited September 30, 2016 by KierenHby

[SalishSea 16,718]

On 9/30/2016 at 1:48 AM, kikithekat said:

Hey, i can get the I-Visa quite easy. I just heard that they would ask a lot of questions on the immigration when you have an I-Visa and it could be a pain to get in ( especially with trump on the horizon). YOu never had any problems here?

I had no idea that you couldnt travel for pleasure to the states with an I-Visa. I got my ESTA revoked as i was visiting Iran and i am not elegible for the VWP anymore. so that is actually a huge problem. 😕

If you would be coming in for legitimate use of that particular visa, why are you so worried about being questioned when you arrive?  That is their job!