The application of foreign media members is governed in a separate article from that of Turkish citizens, and the document list is different.
How Is the Application Made?
Art. 40 of the Regulation: foreign media members requesting a press card complete, in due form, the electronic application form on the Directorate's website and upload a copy of the documents listed below to the system.
Five Documents
| Subpara. | Document |
|---|---|
| a | A document showing that they have been assigned by a media outlet and the service-fee relationship |
| b | The visa showing they are a press member, obtained from Turkish embassies or consulates general, or the work visa obtained from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security |
| c | The letter of introduction obtained from the embassy, legation or consulate in Turkey of the country where the head office of the organisation they belong to is located |
| ç | A photocopy of the visa and identity pages of their passport |
| d | One passport photograph |
A Shortened List for Those on a Temporary Assignment
The second paragraph of Art. 40 provides a different list for media members coming to Turkey to work for a limited period: they submit, with the application form, the documents specified in subparagraphs (c), (ç) and (d) of the first paragraph, together with information stating their period of duty and their fields and subjects of work in Turkey.
| Document | Permanent duty | Temporary duty |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment and service-fee document (a) | Required | Not required |
| Press member visa / work visa (b) | Required | Not required |
| Letter of introduction (c) | Required | Required |
| Passport photocopy (ç) | Required | Required |
| Passport photograph (d) | Required | Required |
| Period of duty and field of work | - | Required |
The Conditions: Art. 9
The documents serve to prove the conditions in Art. 9. That article requires three things:
- (a) Documenting that they have been assigned by a media outlet
- (b) Holding a work permit under International Labour Force Law No. 6735
- (c) Presenting the letter of introduction obtained from the embassy, legation or consulate in Turkey of the country where the head office of the organisation they belong to is located
The article provides that where those conditions are met a press card of the appropriate type may be issued by the Directorate, having regard also to the principle of reciprocity.
The Work Permit Condition
The second paragraph of Art. 9 adds a detail: a work permit under Law No. 6735 must also be obtained for those who are not insured under Art. 4/1-(a) of Law No. 5510 and who request a temporary press card. Applications in this scope are assessed exceptionally within the framework of Art. 16 of Law No. 6735.
We cover this in the work permit guide and the exceptional assessment guide.
The Duration of the Card
Art. 39 provides that, on condition that they meet the requirements of Art. 9, a press card may be issued - valid until the end of the year of issue and not exceeding the period of duty - to foreign media members operating in Turkey on a resident basis representing foreign media organisations or coming to Turkey temporarily, and to foreign media members working at nationally distributed periodicals in Turkey and at radio and television organisations broadcasting nationally and internationally.
The Power Lies with the Directorate
The second paragraph of Art. 41: the Directorate is competent in matters of issuing a press card to foreign media members or cancelling a card issued.
Summary
- Foreign media members apply through the electronic form on the Directorate's website and upload five documents.
- For those on a temporary assignment the list drops to three documents plus the period of duty and field of work.
- The card is valid until the end of the year of issue and cannot exceed the period of duty.