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Press card renewal: how to extend your press card

FJA press cards do not renew automatically. When your card is about to expire, you simply order a new card for 12, 24 or 36 months – ideally four weeks before the expiry date, because printing and posting take 14–18 working days.

On this page: how long press cards are valid, how renewal works for the FJA card and for the UK Press Card, and what to do if your details have changed.

Order your new card Prices

At a glance

Validity: 12, 24 or 36 months from issue
Renewal: New order – no automatic renewal, no subscription
Best time: About four weeks before expiry
Price: €95 / €150 / €180, postage to the UK €6.99

How long is a press card valid?

Validity depends on the issuer.

Card	Validity	How to renew
FJA press card	12, 24 or 36 months, printed on the card	Order a new card online
UK Press Card (UKPCA)	Up to two years	Through the gatekeeper that issued it
NUJ UK Press Card	As issued under the UKPCA scheme	Log in to the NUJ website and apply
IFJ International Press Card	Two years	Through your IFJ-affiliated union

Sources: UKPCA, NUJ, IFJ, BPPA, October 2026.

Renewing your FJA press card step by step

Renewal works exactly like a first application – and takes about five minutes.

Check your expiry date on the card or on its verification page.

Order a new card about four weeks before expiry. You can reuse a recent photo.

Choose the validity – 24 or 36 months reduce the price per year to €75 or €60.

Receive your new card 14–18 working days after payment, with a new verification record.

Because there is no subscription, nothing happens if you decide not to renew – your card simply expires at the end of its validity and the verification page then shows it as no longer valid.

Changed name, photo or work?

A renewal is a good moment to update your card.

New details

Enter your current name and a recent photo in the new order. The new card and its verification record will show the updated details. If your name has changed during the validity of your card, contact us to discuss the best option.

Still working journalistically?

The requirements apply again at every renewal: 18 or over and regular journalistic work. If you have moved into a different career, please do not renew. See press card requirements.

Renewing a UK Press Card

For holders of the UKPCA card.

UK Press Cards must be renewed through the gatekeeper that issued them, and the BPPA, for example, states that cards must be renewed at least every two years. NUJ members apply for or renew their press card through the member login on the NUJ website; the NUJ issues the card free of charge to eligible members. If you no longer meet the gatekeeper’s criteria – for example because journalism is no longer your main income – the FJA card can be an alternative. Compare both on press card comparison UK.

A simple renewal timeline

Plan ahead so that you are never without a valid card for an important job.

Six weeks before expiry

Check your diary for events, trips or accreditation deadlines in the coming months. If you need a valid card for them, renew now – delivery usually takes 14–18 working days after payment.

When you order

Check every detail again: name, date of birth, nationality and photo. If your appearance has changed noticeably, upload a new photo so that the card still matches you at a glance.

When the new card arrives

Start using the new card and stop using the old one once it has expired. Destroy expired cards, for example by cutting through the photo and the QR code.

Use renewal as a moment to review your work

A renewal is a good time to check whether your card still reflects what you do.

Has your work changed?

If you moved from writing to photography, or from freelancing to a staff job, show your current work in the application. Organisers and press offices look at what you do now, not what you did years ago.

Is your portfolio current?

Organisers look at recent work. Update your website or portfolio before you send new accreditation requests with your renewed card.

Do you still need the card?

If you have stopped working journalistically, do not renew – and stop using the old card. A press card is only for active journalistic work.

Frequently asked questions

Does my FJA press card renew automatically?

No. There is no subscription. You decide whether to order a new card when the old one expires.

When should I renew my press card?

About four weeks before the expiry date. Printing and posting take 14–18 working days after payment.

Can I renew early?

Yes. You can order a new card at any time. The new card’s validity starts from its own issue date.

Is renewal cheaper than a first card?

The price is the same: €95 for 12 months, €150 for 24 months or €180 for 36 months. Longer validity lowers the price per year.

How do I renew my NUJ press card?

NUJ members apply for and renew press cards through the member login on the NUJ website.

Can I keep using my card after it expires?

No. An expired card shows as no longer valid on the verification page and should not be used.

Is renewal cheaper than a first order?

No. Renewal costs the same as a first order: €95 for 12 months, €150 for 24 months or €180 for 36 months. Choosing a longer period lowers the price per year.

Do you check my application again when I renew?

Yes. Every order is reviewed before printing, including renewals. If your work has not changed, the check is usually quick.

What if my card expires while I am abroad?

Order the new card before you travel, so that it arrives at your home address in time. If that is not possible, carry other proof of your work – a commission letter, accreditation confirmations and links to recent work – until the new card reaches you.

Can I change from a 12-month to a 36-month card when I renew?

Yes. At each order you choose the validity period that suits you: 12, 24 or 36 months. Longer periods are cheaper per year and mean fewer renewals.

What happens to my old verification record?

Your new card has its own QR code and verification record. Use only the new card once it has arrived, and do not hand on or reuse the old one.

Sources and last review

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