For foreign journalists coming to Turkey briefly to cover an event, the Regulation provides a separate card type.
To Whom Is It Issued?
Art. 12: a temporary press card may be issued to foreign media members whose area of duty does not cover Turkey but who come to Turkey for news purposes for a limited period.
Three Conditions
- (a) Meeting the conditions in Art. 9/1 - assignment document, work permit under Law No. 6735 and letter of introduction
- (b) Being a foreign media member
- (c) Documenting that their area of duty does not cover Turkey but that they have come to Turkey for news purposes for a limited period
A Shorter Document List
Art. 40/2: media members coming to Turkey to work for a limited period 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.
| Subpara. | Document | On a temporary assignment |
|---|---|---|
| a | Assignment and service-fee document | Not required |
| b | Press member visa / work visa | Not required |
| c | Letter of introduction | Required |
| ç | Photocopy of the visa and identity pages of the passport | Required |
| d | One passport photograph | Required |
| - | Period of duty + fields and subjects of work | Required |
A Work Permit Is Still Required
The same paragraph brings a facility: work permit applications in this scope are assessed exceptionally within the framework of Art. 16 of Law No. 6735.
The Card's Duration
Art. 39: provided they meet the conditions in Art. 9, foreign media members coming to Turkey temporarily may be issued a press card valid until the end of the year of issue, not exceeding the period of duty.
| Limit | Content |
|---|---|
| Period of duty | The card cannot exceed it |
| Calendar year | Valid until the end of the year of issue |
| Which applies | Whichever expires first |
Art. 40/2 adds that where the assignment document stating the period of duty and the fields and subjects of work in Turkey is attached, a card may be issued for a period not exceeding three months having regard to the period of duty, and may be extended once.
Art. 40/3 also provides that a letter of introduction is not required from foreign media members applying through Anadolu Agency and TRT.
When the Assignment Ends: Return
Art. 41 imposes a notification and return duty. A foreign media member holding a press card must give written notice to the Directorate and return the press card within one month where their duty ends, the address of their organisation or residence changes, or they acquire Turkish citizenship.
Working Without a Card
Gathering news in places open to the public is the subject of a separate arrangement. Art. 2(b) of the Principles concerning Foreigners Wishing to Carry Out Scientific Research and Study and to Shoot Films in Turkey provides that foreign journalists and radio and TV correspondents are free, in places open to the public, to gather news and information, follow events and activities, conduct interviews, take photographs and shoot film.
Summary
- The temporary press card goes to foreign media members whose area of duty does not cover Turkey but who come for news purposes for a limited period.
- The application takes a letter of introduction, a passport photocopy and a photograph, plus the period of duty and field of work.
- A work permit is still required but is assessed exceptionally.
- The card cannot exceed the period of duty and is returned within one month of the assignment ending.