Information on Obtaining Press Accreditation for Journalists Working for U.S.-Based Media Outlets
Journalists working for U.S.-based media outlets, regardless of their nationality, are required to get press accreditation from the Directorate of Communications of the Republic of Türkiye. Rules to follow when applying for temporary or permanent accreditation differ and are listed in detail in the guidelines by the Directorate of Communications:
As part of the application process for both temporary and permanent press accreditation, journalists must obtain a letter from the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul confirming their employment with a U.S. media outlet and requesting press accreditation. This applies to all journalists, including those who will be working in Ankara or other cities in Türkiye.
To request the letter, applicants should email IstanbulPressOffice@state.gov with the following information:
- A letter from their media outlet in the United States confirming their employment, salary, and the position they will assume while working in Türkiye
- A color copy of the photo page of their passport
The U.S. Consulate will return the requested letter within three business days. Please note that processing time after submitting the required materials to the Directorate of Communications varies widely; some journalists receive accreditation within days but others have reported wait times of a month or more.
U.S. citizens traveling to Türkiye are encouraged to register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
