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How to get a press card in the UK

There are three main routes to a press card in the UK: the UK Press Card through one of 22 UKPCA gatekeepers if you are a professional newsgatherer, an association press card such as the FJA card if you work journalistically freelance or part-time, and an ID from your employer or outlet. Which route fits depends on how you work, not on how much you want to pay.

This guide walks you through each route, what you need and how long it takes – and shows the FJA application step by step.

Apply for the FJA press card Compare all routes

At a glance

Price: €95 for 12 months · €150 for 24 months · €180 for 36 months
Delivery: Printed and posted 14–18 working days after payment; postage to the UK €6.99
Who can apply: Adults (18+) who work journalistically on a regular basis – staff, freelance or part-time
Checks: Every application is reviewed before printing; full refund if we decline it
Verification: QR code on the card links to a live verification page

Three routes to a press card

Start by being honest about your work. That tells you which route is open to you.

Route 1

UK Press Card

For professional newsgatherers working in the UK. You apply through a gatekeeper – a union, employer or professional body such as the NUJ, CIoJ, BAJ, BPPA or NMA. Each checks your work against the UKPCA scheme rules and usually expects membership, published paid work or an editor’s endorsement.

Route 2

Association press card

For freelancers, part-time journalists, photographers, bloggers and creators who publish regularly but do not meet gatekeeper criteria or do not want to join a union. The FJA card is one example: 18+, regular journalistic work, no membership, checked before printing.

Route 3

Employer or outlet ID

Broadcasters and publishers often issue staff ID cards, and some are also UKPCA gatekeepers. A commission letter from an editor is often what event organisers want to see anyway – with or without a card.

Getting the UK Press Card through a gatekeeper

The UKPCA does not issue cards itself. You apply to the gatekeeper that fits your work.

Find your gatekeeper on the UKPCA list – your union, employer or professional body.

Check its criteria – for example NUJ full membership needs at least half of your earned income from journalism (25% if you are under 30).

Collect evidence – published work, invoices, sometimes a signed letter from an editor.

Apply and wait – the BPPA, for example, says assessment usually takes two to three weeks. Cards must be renewed at least every two years.

If you meet these criteria, the UK Press Card is the card UK police forces formally recognise. Details on each issuer: the UK Press Card explained, NUJ press card and press card comparison UK.

Getting the FJA press card: step by step

The application runs online and takes about five minutes.

Open the application and upload a passport-style photo. The tool crops it for you.

Enter your details – name, date of birth, nationality and a signature text.

Choose 12, 24 or 36 months, confirm that you are 18+ and work journalistically, and pay.

We review, print and post. Delivery usually takes 14–18 working days after payment.

Everything you need is listed on press card requirements; prices and postage on press card cost. If we need more information, we email you before printing. If we decline your application, you get a full refund.

Start the application

Which route is right for you?

A quick decision guide.

Your situation	Best first step
Staff journalist at a national, regional or broadcast outlet	Ask your employer – it may be a gatekeeper or work with one
Full-time freelance newsgatherer earning most of your income from journalism	UK Press Card through the NUJ, CIoJ, BAJ or BPPA
Freelance or part-time journalist, journalism alongside another job	FJA press card or temporary/associate membership of a union
Blogger, YouTuber, podcaster or online reviewer	FJA press card – several gatekeepers, such as the BAJ, exclude bloggers and influencers
Journalism student aged 18+	Student press card from your union or the FJA card if you publish regularly
Under 18	No press card – see youth journalism options on under 18
Working mainly abroad	International press card (FJA, or IFJ card via the NUJ)

How to strengthen your application – for any card

Gatekeepers, organisers and we all look for the same things.

Build visible evidence

A simple portfolio page with your best recent bylines, photos or episodes
Commissions or assignment emails from editors
A consistent professional name across your work
A professional email address rather than a nickname

Avoid common mistakes

Applying without any published work
Using a card to ask for free tickets rather than coverage
Leaving accreditation until the week of the event
Buying an unverifiable card from an anonymous website

More: fake press cards and the law.

After you receive your press card

A few habits make the card more useful.

Sign the card if needed and keep it with you when you work. Do not lend it to anyone – it is personal and linked to your photo and number. Combine it with a commission letter when you apply for accreditation, and be ready to show your published work. Note the expiry date: our cards do not renew automatically, and you can order a new card in good time on press card renewal. If the card is lost, contact us and we will explain how to order a replacement.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a press card in the UK?

Either apply for the UK Press Card through a UKPCA gatekeeper such as the NUJ if you are a professional newsgatherer, or apply for an association card such as the FJA press card if you publish journalism regularly, including freelance or part-time.

Can I get a press card without working for a newspaper?

Yes. Freelancers, photographers and online journalists can get a press card. The UK Press Card requires professional newsgathering; the FJA card requires regular journalistic work in any medium.

How long does it take to get a press card?

The FJA press card usually arrives 14–18 working days after payment. Gatekeepers such as the BPPA quote about two to three weeks for assessment.

Do I need to join the NUJ to get a press card?

For an NUJ-issued UK Press Card, yes – the NUJ issues it to eligible members. Other gatekeepers have their own rules, and the FJA card requires no membership.

Can I apply for a press card online?

Yes. The FJA application is entirely online. Many gatekeepers also take applications online, often through a member login.

What documents do I need for a press card?

For the FJA card: a passport-style photo, your personal details and your confirmation of journalistic work. UK Press Card gatekeepers often also ask for published work, invoices or an editor’s letter.

Can I have more than one press card?

You can hold an association card alongside other IDs. The UKPCA scheme rules say no one may hold more than one UK Press Card at a time.

Is a press card required to work as a journalist?

No. There is no licensing of journalists in the UK. A press card is a practical tool, not a legal requirement.

Sources and last review

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