gpo.gov.il Issue press cards to foreign journalists Israel : Government Press Office

Name of the Organization : Government Press Office
Type of Facility : Issue press cards to foreign journalists
Country : Israel

Official Website : https://www.gov.il/en/departments/government-press-office/govil-landing-page

Issue press cards to foreign journalists :

GPO cards :
issued for a period of up to 12 months (in line with the B1 work visa) to journalists whose permanent base of work is Israel, and whose main profession is news reporting.

Related : Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Issuance of passport for Israeli citizen : www.statusin.org/5554.html

Visiting journalist cards :
issued to journalists arriving in Israel for short periods. Issued for a period of up to 3 months.

The conditions for receiving a GPO card are :
** Those whose main profession is in the news media in the year preceding the application who work for known outlets that meet the criteria*, and can provide a letter of accreditation proving they work as staff;
** Those working as freelancers must prove that their main profession is in the news media, including letters from media outlets with which they have worked, bills/invoices for journalism work and items of news work.
** Those who work for known outlets that meet the criteria*, and can provide a letter of accreditation proving they work as staff;
** Those working as freelancers must prove that their main profession is in the news media, including letters from media outlets with which they have worked, bills/invoices for journalism work and items of news work.

How to file an online application :
** Please use a PC (not a Mac), preferably with Google Chrome or Internet Explorer as your browser; Mozilla Firefox won’t work properly.
** In the online form you will find a tab for Attachments – this is where you should attach your photo, your passport copy, your letter of accreditation or proofs of work and your confirmation of payment (Every application for a GPO card requires a nonrefundable payment of NIS 50)
** If the payment system doesn’t accept your ID/passport number, please write the digits 18 as your ID, below your credit card number.
** Your application will be sent automatically to the GPO staff member responsible for media from your country.

FAQs :
How long does it take to receive a press card?
Qualified Visiting Journalists receive their press cards on the spot. Permanent Journalists are subject to a reviewing process. The maximum period of time in which the GPO is obligated to answer an applicant is three months;

However, in most cases it is completed within a few weeks. Renewal: Those seeking to renew a Permanent Press Card during the general renewal period (the end of even-numbered years) are requested to contact the GPO two months before the expiration of the card. Rejected applications may be appealed to the appeals committee.

Must a press card holder seeking to renew his/her card complete an application form?
Yes. The application form for renewing a press card is the same as that for a new applicant. Card holders seeking to renew their valid press cards must complete the application form and submit the necessary documents.

However, journalists seeking to renew their press cards need not submit a new passport photo unless they wish to update their existing photo or unless ten years have passed since the most recent press card was issued (in which case the applicant will be considered as an applicant for a new press card).

How much is the payment fee for a Press Card application?
Receipts for payment of NIS 50 must be attached to all new and renewal applications. Payment may be made in one of two ways: By credit card on the government payments page.

By postal bank with a designated payment form obtained at the GPO. One form may be used for several applications. The payment is for processing costs and will not be refunded should an application be rejected.