Can I vacation in the US using my I (media) visa?

[mastermullen 0]

Hi there

 

If anyone could help me figure this out it would be much appreciated. Earlier this year I was granted an I (media) visa to travel to the US, as I am a journalist and I was attending a trade show in California in June. That trip went ahead okay.

 

However in October I am planning to go to Seattle, Portland and San Francisco for a holiday with a family member. I was denied an ESTA due to a brush with the law that happened when I was a minor. This was discussed in my interview for the I visa and was no problem. However I cannot get a B-2 tourist visa in time for the holiday as the wait time is too long, the next interview appointment is in January and I'm booked to go in October. I cannot cancel or rearrange the trip without losing a lot of money.

 

My question is, can I take this vacation and enter the US using my I visa? Even if I am not visiting for journalistic purposes. I cannot find any guidance on this online.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

 

[Verrou 1,901]

dont take a chance. they will ask what is the purpose of the trip & u dont want to lie. 

and u answer honestly, what happened if they said, nope, wont let u enter the country?

[arken 4,197]

27 minutes ago, mastermullen said:

I cannot find any guidance on this online

The guidance is to use the visa for its dedicated purpose, that's why there are different visas. A plane ticket doesn't come with a guide note "not valid for bus/train/ferry". Same concept.

 

 

[jan22 2,912]

The visa category used to enter the US must match the purpose of the trip.  So, just like you cannot use a visitor visa (B2) to work as a foreign journalist in the US, you cannot use a foreign journalist visa (I) for a personal/tourist visit.  At least, you cannot do so without lying to the immigration officer, which you definitely don't want to do.  Even if it gets you admitted for this trip, it could ultimately lead to a permanent ban to US entry when the lie is discovered -- which it is almost assuredly will be.

[Timona 3,969]

Not sure why yiu booked a vacation prior to having an appropriate visa. 

 

Is this family member a love interest?

[JeanneAdil 6,239]

https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/i-representatives-of-foreign-media

 

it is clearly stated by USCIS

I Representatives of Foreign Media

You may be eligible for the I, Representatives of Foreign Media, nonimmigrant visa, if you:

• Represent a foreign information media outlet (press, radio, film, or other foreign information media);
• Are coming to the United States to engage solely in this profession; and
• Have a home office in a foreign country.

[*Snowdrop* 603]

No - you can't use it for any other purpose than work. 

 

I used to have an I visa before moving here to live and I used to come on ESTA to visit my fiancé - the CO was always very clear at the border that if I was entering on ESTA I could not work even with the I visa in my passport because I wasn't using it to enter. The reverse also applies. 

 

Maybe you can persuade your employer to send you on a research trip for a story/piece which takes you to Seattle, Portland and San Francisco - sucks to have to work while on vacation but would enable you to make the trip.

[SalishSea 16,851]

On 8/31/2022 at 4:58 AM, mastermullen said:

Hi there

 

If anyone could help me figure this out it would be much appreciated. Earlier this year I was granted an I (media) visa to travel to the US, as I am a journalist and I was attending a trade show in California in June. That trip went ahead okay.

 

However in October I am planning to go to Seattle, Portland and San Francisco for a holiday with a family member. I was denied an ESTA due to a brush with the law that happened when I was a minor. This was discussed in my interview for the I visa and was no problem. However I cannot get a B-2 tourist visa in time for the holiday as the wait time is too long, the next interview appointment is in January and I'm booked to go in October. I cannot cancel or rearrange the trip without losing a lot of money.

 

My question is, can I take this vacation and enter the US using my I visa? Even if I am not visiting for journalistic purposes. I cannot find any guidance on this online.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

 

Nope.

 

Do you want to risk a long-term ban?

 

Apply for the correct visa, and wait your turn, like everyone else.