Coming to the UK as a journalist or media professional

This page contains information for journalists and media professionals who want to come and work in the UK for their overseas employer. This includes accredited and non-accredited journalists and media professionals for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To find out how to come to the UK as a representative of an overseas media organisation (such as a newspaper, news agency or broadcaster) on a long-term assignment, see the Representatives of overseas business section.

You can normally apply to come to the UK as a business visitor if you are coming for a short-term assignment (such as the 2012 Games) lasting 6 months or less, as a representative of overseas news media who is:

• employed or paid by an overseas company; and
• gathering information for an overseas publication or programme.

Please allow enough time to apply.

You should also be aware of items that you can and cannot bring into the UK. You can find more information in our Customs section.

If you are an accredited journalist for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, you can apply for an Olympic/Paralympic Games visit visa instead of coming as a business visitor.

Importing media equipment

HM Revenue & Customs has produced a guide to importing goods into the UK, which you can find by following the link on the right side of this page.