Application for a UK Press Card

The Association joined the United Kingdom Press Card Authority (UKPCA) towards the end of 2006 and went through the process of getting our logo and design for our press cards approved by the UKPCA's board. We started taking applications from members in April 2007 and issued our first batch of BPPA press cards in May 2007. We are now able to take applications for those press cards from bona fide full time news photographers.

The BPPA will charge applicants an administration fee whether or not their application is successful. The fee is currently £30.00 and a cheque for this amount must be sent with the application form. Non members of the Association will be charged a fee for the card if their application is successful. The fee is currently £150.00 for a two year card (the equivalent of two years full membership of the BPPA, without any of the benefits enjoyed by members). BPPA members will be asked to make their membership paid up until the end of the membership year in which the card expires. This will mean paying at least two full years membership in advance if you are approved for a Press Card through the BPPA. Any reduced membership rate does not apply to second and third years of membership for those who have their UK Press Card through the BPPA.

Once your application is approved by the BPPA, and if you already hold a valid UK Press Card, it will be your responsibility to cancel it through the body that issued it before a BPPA card can be issued.

Important Notes:

The turn-around time for applications from the receipt of the application form, payments and photograph is currently between two and three weeks
We cannot authorise the issue of a UK Press Card to anyone who is not a full time news and editorial photographer.
We will not assess any application that is not accompanied by the administration fee.

Already a BPPA member?

Please login using the 'Member login' fields to the left of this page, then return to the Press Cards application. We will fill in most of the application form for you.

Not a BPPA member?

Please continue to the application form