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Who is the press card for?

The FJA press card is for adults who work journalistically on a regular basis – reporters, freelancers, photographers, bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, student journalists and people who publish journalism alongside another job. What matters is that you publish journalistic work, not your job title, medium or income.

Find your group below. Each page explains what the card can do for you, what we check and when a different card – such as the UK Press Card – may suit you better.

Apply for your press card Check the requirements

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

Press cards by type of work

Ten groups, one set of requirements.

Journalists and reporters

Staff and freelance reporters in print, broadcast and online media.

Freelance journalists

Your own verifiable ID when no employer stands behind you.

Photographers and videographers

For press, event and documentary photography and video.

Bloggers

For bloggers who report, review or investigate regularly.

YouTubers and content creators

For creators publishing journalistic videos or reviews.

Podcasters

For news, interview and documentary podcasts.

Students

For journalism students and student media, from 18.

Part-time journalists

For journalism alongside another job or studies.

Press officers

When a press card makes sense in PR – and when not.

Under 18? We do not issue cards to minors, without exceptions. Our page press card under 18 lists youth journalism schemes and school media options instead.

What we check for every group

The same three requirements apply to everyone.

Group	Typical evidence of journalistic work	Better alternative?
Staff journalist	Bylines or credits at your outlet	Employer ID or UK Press Card via your employer or union
Freelance journalist	Published pieces, commissions, invoices	UK Press Card if journalism is your main income
Photographer	Published photos with credit, portfolio	BPPA or NUJ for professional news photographers
Blogger or creator	Your site or channel with regular journalistic content	Usually none – many gatekeepers exclude bloggers
Podcaster	Episodes with interviews, reporting or analysis	Usually none
Student (18+)	Student media work or course plus publications	NUJ student membership and student press card
Part-time	Regular publications, even unpaid	NUJ associate membership – ask the NUJ about press card eligibility

We do not require income or membership. See press card requirements for full details.

Who the press card is not for

Being clear about this protects every honest card holder.

Anyone under 18
People who do not publish journalistic work
Pure advertising or influencer marketing without editorial content

Anyone who wants the card for free entry, discounts or parking
Anyone who wants to look like a police officer or official
Organisations – every card is personal

Not sure which card suits you?

A quick rule of thumb.

If you work in the UK as a professional newsgatherer and earn most of your income from journalism, apply for the UK Press Card through a gatekeeper such as the NUJ – it is the card UK police recognise. If you publish journalism regularly but part-time, online or across borders, or do not want to join a union, the FJA press card is designed for you. Use our 30-second check on the home page or compare all options on press card comparison UK.

Where a press card helps in everyday work

A press card is a working tool. It does not open doors on its own, but it makes first contact quicker and more credible.

Interviews and street reporting

When you approach people for a vox pop, a witness account or a quick quote, a card with your name and photo, which they can verify, helps them decide whether to talk to you. Many people relax once they can see who they are speaking to and how to check it.

Press offices and briefings

Press officers at councils, companies, universities and charities often want to know who is asking before they answer. A card, together with links to your published work, helps them place your request and respond faster.

Events and accreditation

Organisers decide who receives accreditation. Your card is one piece of evidence alongside a commission or recent coverage. On the day, it helps stewards and security staff identify you quickly – see press accreditation.

Incidents and public places

At incidents or demonstrations, a visible card helps police officers and stewards recognise you as media. It does not give you extra rights, but it can keep conversations calm and short – see press card and the police.

Quick checklist before you apply

If you can tick these points, you are very likely to qualify for the FJA press card.

You are 18 or older – there are no exceptions, not even with parental consent.
You research, write, photograph, film or record content for an audience on a regular basis.
Your work is published or broadcast – in print, online, on radio, as a podcast or on a video platform.
You can point us to examples, such as links, a portfolio or your channel.
Your work informs the public rather than advertising your own products or services.
You will use the card for journalistic work only, never for private advantages.
The name and photo you give us are your own and up to date.

Unsure about one of the points? Read the full press card requirements or ask us through the contact page before you order. If we decline your application, you receive a full refund.

Frequently asked questions

Who can get a press card?

Anyone aged 18 or over who works journalistically on a regular basis can apply for the FJA press card. The UK Press Card is limited to professional newsgatherers who meet a gatekeeper’s criteria.

Can non-journalists get a press card?

No. If you do not publish journalistic work, we decline the application and refund you in full.

Do I have to be paid for my journalism?

No. Unpaid journalism, such as community reporting or a regularly updated blog, can qualify if it is journalistic and published regularly.

Can influencers get a press card?

Only if they publish journalistic content such as reporting, reviews or interviews. Pure advertising or sponsored posts do not qualify.

Can a company order cards for its team?

Each card is personal and needs an individual application. A company can pay for its journalists’ orders.

Is there a press card for children?

No. We only issue cards to adults. See our page for under-18s for youth journalism options.

Do I need a journalism degree or an NCTJ qualification?

No. We look at the journalistic work you actually do, not at formal qualifications. Training such as the NCTJ Diploma can help your career, but it is not a requirement for the FJA press card – see journalism courses in the UK.

Can I apply if I only work for one outlet or my own website?

Yes, as long as you publish journalistic content regularly. Many card holders write for a single local title, a specialist magazine or their own news site. What matters is that the work is journalistic and ongoing.