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Press card without proof of income or employer letter

For the FJA press card you do not need payslips, invoices, a contract or a letter from an editor, and there is no minimum income from journalism. You confirm in your order that you are 18 or over and work journalistically on a regular basis – and we review every application before printing, asking for examples of your work if anything is unclear.

“Without proof” does not mean “without journalism”. It means we trust honest applicants and check plausibility instead of income. This page explains exactly what that means and why we chose this approach.

Apply for your press card Full requirements

At a glance

Not required: Payslips, invoices, contracts, editor letters, minimum income
Required: 18+, regular journalistic work, your confirmation
Checked: Every application before printing; examples on request
If declined: Full refund

Why we do not ask for proof of income

Income says little about whether someone is a journalist.

Income tests make sense for trade unions, whose services are built around professional employment. For identifying journalists they exclude many people who report responsibly: local reporters who are not paid, specialists who write alongside their main job, students on student media, and creators whose journalism is funded in other ways. The NUJ, for example, requires full members to earn at least half of their income from journalism (25% for under-30s); the BAJ requires paid, credited work and an editor’s letter. Our card is designed for the journalists those criteria leave out – see press card comparison.

What we check instead

Plausibility and published work.

Your confirmation in the order that you meet the requirements.

Plausibility of your details, date of birth and photo.

Your published work – we ask for links if anything is unclear and decline applications without journalistic work.

If we decline an application, we refund the full price. If it later turns out that details were false or the card is misused, we may cancel it under our terms and conditions.

Examples: who qualifies without income proof

Real-life situations.

A teacher who writes a monthly education column for a local news site
A volunteer presenter at a community radio station
A student who edits the university paper (18+)
A tech specialist who publishes independent product reviews on YouTube

Someone who has not published anything
An influencer posting only paid promotions
Someone wanting a card for free concert tickets
Anyone under 18

Honesty protects every card holder

Why your confirmation matters.

Every card that is misused makes all cards less credible. That is why we ask for an honest confirmation, review applications, make every card verifiable via QR code and state clearly what the card can and cannot do. Using any document dishonestly to gain an advantage can be a criminal offence – see fake press card. If you are unsure whether your work qualifies, email us before ordering.

What a strong application looks like

Without payslips or invoices, your published work speaks for you. These examples show what helps us most.

You are…	Include in your application
A freelance writer	Links to three to five recent articles with your byline, ideally from different months
A press photographer	A link to a portfolio or published photos with credits, plus the outlets that used them
A podcaster or video journalist	Links to your show or channel and two or three recent journalistic episodes
Editor of a local or hyperlocal news site	The site address, your role in the imprint and examples of recent reporting
A part-time journalist	Examples of your regular work and a short note on how often you publish

One clear link to a portfolio page with dated work is often enough. Quality and regularity matter more than quantity.

Common reasons we decline an application

We would rather decline and refund than print a card that does not fit. These are the usual reasons.

No recent published work
Content that mainly promotes the applicant’s own business, products or clients
Work that cannot be attributed to the applicant

The applicant is under 18
False or inconsistent details, or a photo that is not of the applicant
Signs that the card is wanted for private advantages, such as free entry or discounts

If we decline, you receive a full refund. You are welcome to apply again later once you have published regularly – see the requirements for details.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a press card without proof of employment?

Yes. The FJA press card requires no employer letter or contract. You confirm your journalistic work and we may ask for examples.

Do I need to send invoices or payslips?

No. Income is not a criterion for our card.

Does “without proof” mean anyone can get a card?

No. You must be 18+ and publish journalistic work regularly. We review every application and decline those that do not qualify.

What examples of work might you ask for?

Links to two or three recent articles, videos, episodes or photo galleries that show journalistic work.

What happens if my details are false?

We may decline or cancel the card, as set out in our terms. Dishonest use of any document can also have legal consequences.

Is the UK Press Card available without proof?

No. UK Press Card gatekeepers check eligibility under the UKPCA scheme rules and usually ask for evidence.

Do you contact my editors or clients?

We mainly check the work you show us and may ask you follow-up questions by email. If something is unclear, we may ask for an additional example or a short explanation of your role.

What if my work is published under a pseudonym?

Tell us the pseudonym in your application and show how it is linked to you, for example through your website or a profile page. The card is issued in the name you give us as the holder, so please use your real name.

Is my application data shared with anyone?

No, not for marketing. We use your details to check the application, produce the card and run the verification page. Our privacy policy explains what is processed, for how long and what rights you have.

Can I add more examples after ordering?

Yes. If you think your application needs more context, email us at help@presseausweis-beantragen.com with your order number and the additional links. Extra context often makes the check quicker.

How long does the check take?

We review every application before printing. Delivery usually takes 14–18 working days after payment, and that period includes the check. If we need more information from you, we will ask by email, which can add a few days.

Sources and last review

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

Press card without proof of income or employer letter

Why we do not ask for proof of income

What we check instead

Examples: who qualifies without income proof

Honesty protects every card holder

What a strong application looks like

Common reasons we decline an application

Frequently asked questions

Sources and last review

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