Freelance Journalists Association

Press card for journalists – apply online

The FJA press card is a photo ID for people who work journalistically – staff, freelance or part-time. It costs €95 for 12 months with no membership fee, every application is checked before printing, and a QR code on the card lets anyone verify it.

It is our own association card, issued by the Freelance Journalists Association (FJA). It is not the UK Press Card issued through the UK Press Card Authority, and – like every press card – it gives no automatic right of access. What it does is show, quickly and verifiably, that you work as a journalist. Applying takes about five minutes.

Apply for your press card Can I get one? 30-second check

FJA international press card for journalists in the UK, front side with sample data

What is a press card?

A press card is an identity document that shows you work in journalism. In the UK it is not issued by the state and not required by law.

Journalists use a press card – also called a press pass, press badge or journalist ID card – to identify themselves to the police, event organisers, press offices and the people they interview. In the United Kingdom there is no state licence for journalists and no law that says who may issue a press card. Anyone can report, photograph and publish; the card is a practical tool, not a permission.

Who issues press cards in the UK?

The best-known card is the UK Press Card. It is issued under a voluntary scheme run by the UK Press Card Authority through 22 “gatekeepers” – unions, employers and professional bodies such as the NUJ, the Chartered Institute of Journalists, the BBC and the News Media Association. It is aimed at professional newsgatherers and is the card that UK police forces formally recognise.

Alongside it, associations and companies issue their own press cards under their own rules. The FJA press card is one of them. It is aimed at freelancers, part-time journalists, photographers and online creators who either do not qualify for the UK Press Card or want a card without joining a union.

What a press card does – and what it does not

A press card helps you prove, on the spot, that you are working as a journalist. That speeds up conversations with press offices, makes accreditation requests more credible and helps when you need to identify yourself at an incident or event.

No press card – the UK Press Card included – creates a legal right of entry. The UKPCA itself says its card grants no special rights over any other member of the public. Rights such as asking public authorities for information come from laws like the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which apply to everyone. Access to cordons, stadiums and parliament is decided by the police, organisers and the institutions themselves.

→ The differences in detail: press card comparison UK.

30-second check

Can I get a press card?

You can apply if you are 18 or over and work journalistically on a regular basis – as a staff journalist, freelancer, photographer, blogger, YouTuber or podcaster, full-time or alongside another job. Answer four questions to see whether the FJA card fits you, or whether another card would serve you better. Full details: press card requirements.

Who can apply for the FJA press card?

Anyone aged 18 or over who works journalistically on a regular basis – whatever the medium and whether or not journalism is your main income.

Journalists and reporters – staff or freelance, print, broadcast or online.

Freelance journalists – a card of your own, without an editor or union behind you.

Photographers and videographers – for events, incidents and street work.

Bloggers and YouTubers and content creators who report, review or investigate.

Podcasters and part-time journalists who publish alongside another job.

Students on student media or journalism courses – from 18. Younger? See under 18.

Not sure which group you belong to? The overview who the press card is for explains each case, including what we check and when another card is the better choice.

What does the press card cost?

One payment, no membership fee and no automatic renewal.

12 months

€95

€95 per year

24 months

€150

€75 per year

36 months

€180

€60 per year

Included in the price
Review of your application before printing	included
Printing on a PVC card in standard ID-card size (ISO/IEC 7810)	included
Personal card number and QR code for online verification	included
Membership fee	none
Automatic renewal	none
Postage to the UK and outside the EU	€6.99 per order
Postage within the EU	free

Prices are final prices; where VAT applies it is included. Card prices and postage as shown at checkout, October 2026. Full breakdown and a comparison with UK unions: how much a press card costs.

How to apply for a press card online

The whole process runs online – no printing, scanning or posting of documents.

Fill in the form – name, date of birth, nationality and a signature for the card.

Upload a photo – passport-style, face centred, plain background; it is cropped automatically.

Choose 12, 24 or 36 months and pay by card, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

We check, print and post – usually 14–18 working days after payment. Step by step

You confirm in the order that you are 18 or over and work journalistically. We may ask for links to your work before printing. If we decline your application, you receive a full refund; you can cancel free of charge until production starts – see the cancellation policy.

Where the press card helps – and where it does not

An honest overview, so you know what to expect before you order.

Where it helps

Identifying yourself to press offices, venues and interviewees
Supporting accreditation requests for concerts and events, trade fairs and press conferences
Showing police and stewards at an incident that you are working as press – see press card and the police
Proving your journalistic work to clients and editors when travelling abroad – see the international press card

Where it is not enough

Parliamentary and lobby passes – Parliament accredits media organisations regulated by Ofcom, IPSO or Impress
Major sport, festivals and fashion weeks run their own accreditation and usually want a commission from an outlet
Police cordons – officers decide who may enter; UK police guidance refers to the UK Press Card
Free entry or discounts – these are never guaranteed; see press card discounts

How we check applications and how the card is verified

Transparency is the reason a press card is useful. This is how ours works.

Checked before printing

Every application is reviewed before production. We may ask for links to published work. Hobby use without publication is declined – with a full refund.

QR verification

Each card carries a personal number and a QR code. Scanning it opens a verification page with the holder, photo and validity, hosted by our partner scantoverify.org. How verification works

Who we are

The Freelance Journalists Association (FJA) is based in London. Our full contact and company details are published in the legal notice. About us · Legal notice

FJA press card or UK Press Card?

If you are a professional newsgatherer, the UK Press Card may be the better choice. Here is the short version.

	FJA press card	UK Press Card (UKPCA)
Issued by	Freelance Journalists Association	22 gatekeepers, e.g. NUJ, CIoJ, BAJ, NMA
Main audience	Freelance, part-time and online journalists	Professional newsgatherers working in the UK
Membership needed	No	Usually membership or employment at a gatekeeper
Recognised by UK police	Not part of police guidance	Formally recognised by UK police forces
Cost	€95 for 12 months	Varies by gatekeeper; often included in union membership
Typical use	ID for events, press offices, travel and freelance work	Newsgathering at incidents, courts and official events

Sources: UK Press Card Authority, NUJ and College of Policing, October 2026. In depth: the UK Press Card explained and NUJ press card.

Renewal, loss and replacement

What happens when your card expires, gets lost or your details change.

Renewal

Your card is valid for 12, 24 or 36 months. Order a new card a few weeks before it expires – every order is checked again before printing. How renewal works

Loss or theft

Email us with your order number as soon as you notice the loss and stop relying on the old card. We explain how to order a replacement. Help and FAQ

Changed details

If your name changes or your photo no longer looks like you, order a new card with up-to-date details. Organisers compare the card with the person in front of them. How verification works

Frequently asked questions

Is the FJA press card an official press card?

There is no state-issued press card in the UK. The FJA press card is an association press card issued by the Freelance Journalists Association. It is not the UK Press Card of the UK Press Card Authority and does not carry its logo.

Can anyone get a press card?

No. You must be 18 or over and work journalistically on a regular basis. Hobby photography or writing that is never published does not qualify; we decline such applications and refund the full amount.

How much is a press card in the UK?

The FJA press card costs €95 for 12 months, €150 for 24 months or €180 for 36 months, plus €6.99 postage to the UK. UK Press Cards from unions are usually tied to membership, for example NUJ subscriptions start at £18.85 a month for full members.

How long does it take to get a press card?

Printing and posting usually take 14–18 working days after payment. Weekends and public holidays are not counted.

Will the police recognise my press card?

UK police guidance refers to the UK Press Card. Officers may still accept other ID, but there is no right to it. Your right to film and report in public places does not depend on any card.

Do I get free entry or discounts with a press card?

No press card guarantees free entry or discounts. Some organisers offer press tickets after accreditation, but they decide case by case. We do not promise any discounts.

Can I use the press card abroad?

Yes, the card is in English and carries an international design, and it can help you identify yourself. Recognition abroad is not guaranteed; check local rules and accreditation requirements before you travel.

What happens if my application is declined?

We do not print the card and refund the full purchase price. You can also cancel free of charge at any time until production starts.

Do I need to prove my income from journalism?

No. Unlike most UK Press Card gatekeepers, we do not require a minimum share of your income from journalism. You confirm your journalistic work in the order and we may ask for examples.

Can under-18s get a press card?

No. The FJA press card is only for adults aged 18 or over, without exception. Our page for under-18s lists good alternatives for young reporters.

Sources and last review

UK Press Card Authority – home and gatekeepers – scheme, list of 22 gatekeepers
UK Press Card Authority – why is a press card necessary? – no special rights for holders
College of Policing – Police and the media (APP) – press cards and filming in public
NUJ – press and membership cards
NUJ – how much will it cost? – subscription rates
Freedom of Information Act 2000, section 1
UK Parliament – media accreditation guidance

Last reviewed: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.