* State licenses that indicate "Not suitable for federal purposes" are not acceptable.
Q: Why does the National Institutes of Health ask visitors questions related to citizenship?
A:
In the absence of suitable documents, including acceptable forms of identification, the NIH may ask visitors questions related to citizenship to help confirm identification.
Q: What happens when a foreign national arrives at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a visitor?
A:
All visitors to the NIH will be treated with courtesy and respect by the security officers at the NIH Gateway Center or other entrances. If a visitor does not have one of the acceptable forms of identification, the NIH may ask questions related to citizenship for the purpose of compliance with HHS policy.
Q: Are there additional screening measures for some foreign nationals?
A. Visits by citizens of countries currently included on the U.S. Department of State’s list of
State Sponsors of Terrorism
(currently designated countries listed on
https://www.state.gov/state-sponsors-of-terrorism/
) will involve additional coordination with HHS. HHS may add other countries beyond the State Department’s list, and so it is always best to check with your NIH host well in advance of your visit.
For visitors from these designated countries, a 10-business-day notice prior to the visit is specified by HHS policy. Your host will need to submit a request for your visit at least 10 business days in advance.
Q: I am a citizen of one of these designated countries and wish to visit NIH. What do I need to do to request access?
A:
If you have a U.S.-issued green card, then no special preparations will be needed – simply present your green card at the NIH Gateway Center.
If you do not possess a U.S.-issued green card, then please communicate your intentions to your host at NIH well in advance. You should receive a
Foreign Visitor Data Request Form
from your host. Fill out the form with your information and send it back to your hosting official for processing. Your host will submit a
Foreign Visitor Data Request Form
on your behalf. All visitors from designated countries should confirm with their NIH host, prior to arrival, that their request has been submitted for approval by the host at least 10 business days in advance of their visit.
After HHS review, and assuming that no significant issues have been identified, your host will receive email notification from the NIH Police that your request to visit has been approved. Your name will be placed on an approved visitor list accessible by security guards at the NIH Gateway Center, Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility, West Drive Patient Entrance, and at off-campus NIH and GSA-leased facilities.
All visitors should check with their host prior to their planned visit to verify that approval has been obtained. If advanced approval to visit has not been secured prior to the visitor arriving at the NIH, the visitor will not be permitted to enter the NIH facilities. If, at any time upon arrival, a visitor has questions or concerns about the process, the visitor is encouraged to request a security staff supervisor who can address questions or concerns.
Q: What should a visiting foreign national from a designated country expect when they arrive at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)?
A:
All visitors will be treated with courtesy and respect by the security officers at the NIH Gateway Center, other NIH campuses and relevant facilities. If the visitor is a foreign national from a designated country, he/she should be prepared to present either a passport, visa, or U.S.-issued green card, in order to gain access to the NIH campus. All documents must be valid (i.e., an original document that has not expired).
If the visitor holds a U.S.-issued green card, then advance notice is not necessary and admission to the NIH campus will be permitted after signing in and screening at the visitor entrance. Consistent with HHS policy, if a visitor is a citizen of a designated country and does not hold a U.S.-issued green card, the security guard will ascertain if the visitor’s name is located on the approved visitor list.
To be on the list, a visitor from a designated country must contact an NIH host who will request approval using the
Foreign Visitor Data Request Form
, at least 10 business days in advance of the date of the scheduled visit. If the visitor is not yet approved, the visitor will not be permitted access to NIH facilities. At any time upon arrival, a visitor may request a security staff supervisor who can address questions or concerns. For special circumstances or situations that require immediate attention, the visitor or host can contact the NIH police front desk during normal business hours at 301-496-2387.
If advanced approval has been granted, the NIH host must meet the foreign visitor at the Gateway Center or appropriate entrance and the foreign visitor may need an escort while at the NIH facility. The visitor should have the host’s contact information with them as they arrive at the NIH.
Once all necessary information is collected, a physical security screening is conducted, and the NIH host has arrived, the visitor will be issued a pass to enter NIH facilities. If, at any time upon arrival, a visitor has questions or concerns about the process, the foreign visitor is encouraged to request a security staff supervisor who can answer any questions or address any concerns.
Q: Why is there a 10-business day waiting period for people from designated countries?
A:
The 10-day notice prior to the visit is specified by HHS policy to ensure adequate time to complete background screening prior to the visitor’s arrival.
Q: If I am a U.S. citizen but have dual citizenship with a designated country, must I wait the 10-day period before visiting the National Institutes of Health (NIH)?
A:
No. The 10-business day notice prior to the visit would not apply.
Q: I am a U.S. green card holder. Are there any special considerations I must be aware of to visit the NIH campus?
A:
No. A U.S.-issued green card is an acceptable form of identification to visit NIH facilities. The same applies to persons with a U.S.-issued green card from designated countries.
