As you know, receiving a Request for Evidence can slow down your process. So in this video, we will talk about why your case received an RFE, what it means, and how to respond to it so that you don’t experience delay in your immigration process.
The I visa is a temporary visa for all journalists and other media workers who travel to the US for jobs related to the media. This means that they are actively engaged in collecting and disseminating information on current news events in the US. To obtain this visa, they must be employed by a foreign media company or organization based outside the US. Who are eligible for an I visa? Reporters, film crews, video tape editors, employees of independent production companies, free-lance journalists working under contract, and persons in similar occupations are eligible for this visa. The media you represent should have an office in your home country; and both print and film activities are included in this category. Although the production companies are not themselves affiliated with newspaper or electronic news medium, as the companies’ employees are, you may still be accorded an I visa. Note: Only those who are involved in the newsgathering process are eligible (proofreaders, librarians, or set designers are not eligible). Who is a “Representative of Foreign Media”? The legal definition of a “representative of foreign media” includes, but is not limited to ⦁ Journalists ⦁ Radio reporters ⦁ Filmmakers ⦁ Film crews ⦁ Newspaper editors ⦁ Members of a tourist bureau who are engaged in the broadcasting of informational tourist information about the U.S. It is important to note that you can apply for a media visa only if your activities are associated with journalism. Other creative occupations such as writers and designers are not eligible for an I visa. Freelancers can still apply for an I visa if they are working under an employment contract with a professional organization. The same applies to independent reporters and filmmakers. How do I qualify for an I visa? To qualify for an I visa, you must: 1. Hold a credential issued by a professional journalistic association 2. Produce a film that will be used by a television station or other media to disseminate information or news 3. Produce a film that will not be used primarily for commercial entertainment or advertising purposes What privileges do I enjoy on an I visa? On I visa, you may: 1. Enter the U.S. and work for a foreign press, film, television, or any other media for a temporary period 2. Not be required to maintain a foreign residence 3. Travel in and out of the U.S. or remain in the U.S. continuously for the term of production 4. Apply for dependent visas available for your spouse as well as unmarried dependent children under 21 What are the limitations of an I visa? The limitations of an I visa are: 1. Tedious process of getting an extension every year 2. Dependents cannot work in the U.S. in dependent status 3. Employment authorization is employer specific How do I apply for an I visa? To apply for an I visa, you should present the following documents at an American Consulate near your place of residence along with the required application fee: 1. Completed Form DS-156 2. Passport valid 3. Non-refundable application fee in addition to any reciprocal issuance fee 4. Depending upon your position, a document from your employer is as follows: a. Staff Journalist: A letter from the employer stating your name, position held in the company, and purpose and length of stay in the U.S. b. Freelance Journalist under contract to a media organization:A copy of the contract with the organization which gives the following information: name; position held within the company; purpose and length of stay in the U.S. and duration of the contract c. Media Film Crew:A letter from the employer stating your name, position held within the company, brief description of the program being filmed, and the period required for filming in the U.S. d. Independent Production Company under contract to media organization:A letter from the organization commissioning the work stating your name, title, and a brief description of the program being filmed, the time required for filming in the U.S., and the duration of the contract. Where do I apply for an I visa? You may submit your I visa application to: 1. A USCIS field office in the U.S. if you are in lawful status in the U.S. 2. An American Consulate near your place of residence in your home country if you are outside the U.S. What is the I visa processing time? After you go through the interview process, you will have to wait for your visa to be processed. Generally, the I visa is processed within 10 days after your application. However, this time varies depending on the workload of the Embassy. You will receive a letter letting you know whether you got the visa or not. If your visa was approved, then you can start making arrangements for your visit. If it was denied, you can ask for clarifications, appeal the decision, or apply again. However, even if you get the visa, you have no guarantee that you will be allowed to go into the US. The decision whether to let you in the US or not is up to the CBP immigration officers at any US port of entry. How long is the I visa valid? The I visa is issued for the period that you will have to work in the US in the capacities described in the first section. This means that if your work contract states that you will need to be in the US as a journalist for 6 months, then your visa will be valid for only 6 months. You must continue to maintain your status and prove that you are working to qualify for the I visa. If your visa is nearing expiration, but you still have work to do, you can request an extension. You must file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status to USCIS for any extension. All extensions are given in one
When you are an immigrant in the United States, it is important to be aware of your status and what you can and cannot do. Many things can go wrong if you are not cautious. In this blog post, we will discuss five things that you should not do as an immigrant. Follow these tips to avoid any trouble with the law and avoid deportation! 1. Not knowing your status: This is the most important thing to remember. If you do not know your immigration status, you could be in for a lot of trouble. The United States government is very strict about who can and cannot enter the country. If you are found to be in the country illegally, you will be placed in removal proceedings and deported back to your home country unless you have a very strong reason as to why you should not be removed from the U.S. 2. Not scheduling a time on your calendar to remind you of when your status expires: This is another crucial point to remember. If you do not keep track of when your status expires, you could find yourself in a difficult situation. It is essential to renew your visa or green card before it expires. Otherwise, you will likely be considered illegal and subject to removal. 3. Ignoring your immigration attorney’s advice: If you have an immigration attorney, it is important to listen to their advice. They know the ins and outs of the system and can help you avoid any potential problems. Ignoring their advice could lead to serious consequences, including deportation. 4. Not following government websites to track immigration laws: The U.S. government often changes its immigration laws. It is essential to stay up-to-date on these changes. You can do this by following the government websites that track these changes, like the USCIS website or our newsletter . 5. Not having a plan for the future regarding your immigration status: You need to have a plan for what will happen when your status expires. Will you renew your visa or green card? This includes planning for what you will do if your visa expires or if you are deported. Having a plan will help you avoid future uncomfortable situations. These are some essential tips to help you avoid legal issues as an immigrant in the United States. Remember that knowing your status and knowing when it expires is crucial. You should also listen to your immigration attorney and keep current on developments in immigration law. By following these tips, you can avoid problems and live peacefully in the United States. This concludes our blog post on things you should not do as an immigrant. We hope you find this information helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. If you’re interested in hiring Direct U.S. Immigration, feel free to email us directly at inquiry@directusimmigration.com
Figuring out where you can travel without a COVID vaccine or test can be difficult. With all the news and travel advisories, it is not easy to know what is safe and what is not. We have put together a list of some places you can still travel to without worrying about getting a vaccination or a test. In this blog, we discuss the countries and their COVID-related entry requirements. Bulgaria Bulgaria is a good option if you’re looking to travel without a COVID vaccine or test. As of May 1, 2022, COVID-19-related travel restrictions for entering Bulgaria have been lifted. Passengers do not need to provide any COVID-19-related documents (i.e. COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates, Recovery Certificates, or PCR/Antigen Test Results) upon arrival, regardless of where they started their journey. Greece As of May 1, the country no longer requires confirmation of COVID immunization or recovery to enter the country. Cyprus As of April 18, 22, Cyprus no longer requires the submission of passenger locator forms (Cyprus Flight Pass) for entry into the country. Furthermore, it eliminates country categorization and the majority of travel-related COVID regulations. Costa Rica There are currently no COVID-19-related procedures in place for entry into Costa Rica. Jamaica There are no longer any COVID-19-related travel restrictions in Jamaica. Passengers to the island are no longer required to take a COVID-19 test before departure. Morocco According to the Federal Foreign Office, unvaccinated travelers are able to enter Morocco as of July 2022. However, the presence of a negative PCR test is required in this scenario (not older than 72 hours). Croatia To enter Croatia, you are not required to present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. Czech Republic All COVID-19 travel requirements in the Czech Republic have been lifted as of April 2022. You can travel to the Czech Republic as it was before the pandemic as of May 2022. France As of August 1, France has no COVID-19-related travel restrictions. It implies that, regardless of their vaccination status, travelers no longer need to submit proof of vaccination, complete a sworn statement, or exhibit proof of a negative PCR or antigen test before arrival. Germany You no longer need to show proof of vaccination or negative test results when traveling to Germany. Italy As of June 1, all COVID-19 entry regulations have eased. This implies that you no longer need to present proof of vaccination for entrance, and the former quarantine requirement for non-vaccinated immigrants is no longer in effect. Norway There are currently no COVID-19 preventative measures in place at the border, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not. Poland The requirement to undergo quarantine upon arrival has been eliminated as of March 28. It is no longer necessary to show proof of vaccination. Portugal You do not need a COVID-19 immunization certificate or a negative COVID-19 test to travel to Portugal. Turkey You may travel to Turkey without a COVID-19 vaccine certificate. There are no quarantine requirements if you are not showing COVID symptoms. United Kingdom Regardless of vaccination status, anyone can enter the UK without additional testing or quarantine procedures. Vietnam As of May 15, travel to Vietnam is now permitted for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Norway Travel restrictions upon entry into Norway have been eliminated as of February 12, 2022, regardless of whether individuals are vaccinated or unvaccinated. Serbia Beginning May 3, 2022, the government of Serbia eliminated all COVID-19 control procedures and restrictions for entry into Serbia. Here are just a few of the places where you can travel without a COVID vaccine or test. Of course, international travelers still need all the necessary documents, but authorities on all continents have adopted a post-pandemic approach toward both tourism and local life, most of them easing laws alongside border restrictions. That means no pre-or post-arrival tests, quarantines, or, in most cases, even passenger-tracking papers, regardless of vaccination status. Because the list below only applies to border crossings, tourists should still check domestic restrictions like using masks, keeping a safe distance, and using hand sanitizers before eating out or attending activities, especially in crowded places. Travel insurance may also be required. So, if you’re looking to travel, don’t let the lack of vaccinations or tests stop you! However, please consult your doctor and check current travel advisories before booking any trips. During COVID-19, no travel is risk-free. Countries may impose further travel restrictions or new rules on short notice, so ensure you are up to date with the latest regulations. Check with your travel operator or airline as well for any changes in transport. Stay safe and happy travels!
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