Media Visa for US Question

Pulse8

Hi guys, apologies if this has been covered previously but just looking for some advice on acquiring a media visa for working in the U.S.
Used the search function but didn't really find the answer I needed

It says on the website that some form of credentials are needed (which I don't possess) but have heard from other sources that this is not the case, has anyone any experience in this situation?
I'm working on behalf of an Irish radio station so a letter from employer as outlined in the requirements is no hassle

It's only a short 3 day trip but still want to cover myself should I be questioned on it

Snickers Man

This is one of the biggest scams against little people that is allowed to fester in the "free" world.

Yes. You need a visa if you are a working journalist, or if the authorities learn you are such. You must ring the embassy to make an appointment. This can only be done on a PREMIUM RATE number. So it will cost you (if you are self employed) or your employer if you are staff.

Yes. You must be a member of an accredited body. Typically the NUJ. If you are not a member of the NUJ you MUST be a member of some other body. There are various writing groups that are accredited. Again, ask the embassy (while you are running up your premium rate call charges) for some suggestions. They can give you a list of accredited bodies.

Of course you can do what thousands, nay millions, of people do every day and just ignore the US immigration laws. But don't get caught. If you apply for a visa and get turned down they WILL inform the immigration authorities and you will not be let on the plane (if you are flying out of Ireland with its pre-boarding immigration checks) or will be sent back in handcuffs if you approach from another jurisdiction like the UK. Your name will be "in the system".

This is not an exaggeration. I have personal knowledge of people this has happened to.

You could chance your arm and just not apply for a visa in the first place. Claim you are going on a short holiday or business trip to make contacts. Such trips of reasonable duration can be done under a visa waiver. Do NOT under any circumstances say the word "Journalist" or "Media" if they ask you (they don't always) the nature of your business.

You need to assess the likelihood of detection. If you are going on an organised trip as part of a group containing people who may have applied successfully for journalist visas, the chances of your being questioned are high.

Also, once caught, you will find it difficult to gain re-entry to the states at a later date.

Choice is yours.

flogen

Snickers Man wrote: »

Yes. You must be a member of an accredited body. Typically the NUJ. If you are not a member of the NUJ you MUST be a member of some other body. There are various writing groups that are accredited. Again, ask the embassy (while you are running up your premium rate call charges) for some suggestions. They can give you a list of accredited bodies.

I got a media visa for the US a couple of years ago without being a member of the NUJ (or other body).

I didn't even have something like a staff ID as I was freelance at the time - I just got a letter (on headed paper etc) from the newspaper I was travelling on behalf of and that did the job.

It's a lot of hassle to get either way, between the laborious online form and having to go in to the embassy to go through the motions, but beyond the awkward process itself I didn't have any problems with my application.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Snickers Man

flogen wrote: »

I got a media visa for the US a couple of years ago without being a member of the NUJ (or other body).

I didn't even have something like a staff ID as I was freelance at the time - I just got a letter (on headed paper etc) from the newspaper I was travelling on behalf of and that did the job.

Was this from the Embassy in Dublin? And how long ago was it?

Before 9/11/2001 they couldn't give a bollix about journalists going in on standard visas, although strictly speaking you were not supposed to enter as a journalist on a visa waiver. I know of one person who was stopped at immigration state side and when he told them he was a journalist they insisted that he could not avail of a visa waiver and he had to buy a temporary visa there and then. So they let him in, for a fee, but that, again was pre 9/11.

I got a journalist's visa several years ago, post 9/11. I was told I would need an NUJ card, which I had at the time. When I went to the embassy the agent initially took all my documentation (forms, photos etc) but told me he didn't need the NUJ card. Then five minutes later he was back telling me he did. So I gave it to him.

You could be lucky I guess.

But I wouldn't count on it.

flogen

Snickers Man wrote: »

Was this from the Embassy in Dublin? And how long ago was it?

Before 9/11/2001 they couldn't give a bollix about journalists going in on standard visas, although strictly speaking you were not supposed to enter as a journalist on a visa waiver. I know of one person who was stopped at immigration state side and when he told them he was a journalist they insisted that he could not avail of a visa waiver and he had to buy a temporary visa there and then. So they let him in, for a fee, but that, again was pre 9/11.

I got a journalist's visa several years ago, post 9/11. I was told I would need an NUJ card, which I had at the time. When I went to the embassy the agent initially took all my documentation (forms, photos etc) but told me he didn't need the NUJ card. Then five minutes later he was back telling me he did. So I gave it to him.

You could be lucky I guess.

But I wouldn't count on it.

It was May/June 2011 as far as I remember - it's the only time I've had to go through the process so may have just gotten lucky; I'm not sure.

The letter I had was from an editor in a national newspaper too, which probably did no harm. It might have been different if I was going for a small outlet (or on my own steam).