I VISA

You won't be able to get a speculative one. You can only get one if you already have a job that requires one.
I guess they're looking for people who alr

have one to save them costs. Once you have one you can use it for any production.

Ok. That’s what I thought. Thank you so much for your help. It’s good to know they are transferable.

Some good info here ; www.tvwatercooler.org/wordpress/filming-with-an-i-visa/

I would not let that influence your decision whether to apply for the job though. If they like you theyll pay for it.

I-visa's are becoming increasingly harder. The company need to be able to demonstrate that your job can only be done by you and not an American local hire in order for it to be successful. Although the visa is technically non transferable, once its issued, you can generally use it for anything as they are 5 years long

If you look around Talent Manager you’ll see this is a question that is raised almost every 6 months. The advice that once you have an I Visa it can then be used for any production is not correct. You can use a current I visa (in fact I’ve done this) but strictly speaking you are supposed to let the US embassy know you are using the visa for another job other than the one you got it for. Sooner or later someone will get checked and the visa will be revoked i.e if it’s not deemed to comply with i visa rules - usually that the programme is journalistic or factual - shiny floor shows are a no no. Be careful and be sensible.

If you think that the US crackdown on immigrants doesn’t affect UK media visas, think again … this administration is more hostile to foreigners than ever before, and especially unpredictable regarding 'the media’!

For those that aren’t familiar with the process, the initial online I-visa application must give detailed information about the project/work to be undertaken, including the production company, nature of the programme, travel dates, where you plan to stay, US contact, commissioning/funding etc. US embassy immigration officials then interview each applicant to make sure that work is proper news or documentary for foreign TV, with no whiff of scripted/reality/drama/entertainment, or 'stealing US jobs’-types of TV. If the application is approved, a visa will be issued for a set period (1 year, or 5 years). However, from the experience reported by some visa holders (see the link posted above by Chris Vila), it’s obvious that the visa is not automatically transferrable to other projects, and attempting to do so without specific pre-authorisation from US embassy could be illegal, with severe consequences possible for the passport holder. The risk is entirely yours.

If a company asks for a ‘valid I-visa’, you should ask yourself why they aren’t prepared to apply for one for you. The chances are that the project doesn’t qualify for I-visas, so they are trying to get round the rules by inviting you to take the risk of deportation and a lifetime ban from the US.

Yes I am aware it will be more difficult to get and yes I thought it could only be per production. But that’s why I asked because I have seen many job ads that state you must have an I Visa.

I thought if it was specific to the job so the company would apply and prove it was for a legit programme. Which is why I am confused as to why companies are expecting people to already have them!! It means I won’t get a look in just because I don’t have one. I applied and was told we need someone who already has one!! Which I can understand if their budget is tight but surely if they are willing to send someone with a visa they must be able to use it multiple times otherwise they are intentionally breaking the law right!! Just doesn’t make sense!! But I guess like you say the risk is on the crew!! But then the company need to make sure the person knows the risk!!!