In November 2022, HHS ONS updated the 2011 Foreign National Access Management Policy (FNAMP), which requires new and updated NIH visitor management and on-boarding procedures for non-U.S. persons. The policy sets minimum requirements for the screening, vetting, requesting, hosting and escorting of non-U.S. persons to standardize processes across the Department. In response, the NIH established the Visitor Access Management Initiative (VAMI) to work toward FNAMP compliance.
VAMI is focused on implementing the updated security requirements for non-U.S. person visitors and facilitating an efficient and effective visitor access management process for all visitors by reviewing NIH's visitor processes, including pre-registration, to identify unique opportunities for improvement. Through this effort, VAMI is pleased to sponsor , a new pre-registration process that aims to reduce the amount of time visitors will spend waiting to check in at the visitor entrances of eligible facilities.
As part of phased implementation, pre-registration will begin January 30, 2025, at the Bethesda Main Campus and continue at 5601 Fishers Lane, Biomedical Research Center at Baltimore-Bayview (BRC) and Shady Grove. Pre-registration will be required for non-U.S. person visitors and available for U.S. person visitors at the aforementioned locations.
NIH Non-U.S. Person Visitor Policy
The NIH is taking steps to address the HHS Office of National Security’s (ONS) Foreign National Access Management Policy (FNAMP), which mandates new security requirements for non-U.S. person visitors, including a pre-registration
In response, the NIH has implemented the NIH Non-U.S. Person Visitor Policy, establishing new and updated responsibilities and procedures for managing non-U.S. person visitor access to NIH facilities in alignment with FNAMP updates. This temporary NIH policy (to be updated within 2 years) outlines the initial implementation of new (or significantly revised) visitor access requirements that will be phased-in over time, beginning with the NIH Bethesda Main Campus in 2025. These requirements will be updated based on data gathered from pilot efforts and initial phases of implementation.
Key Policy Requirements:
- Non-U.S. person visitors to NIH facilities must now be pre-registered at least 10 business days in advance of their visit. Requests are recommended to be initiated 30 calendar days in advance to allow enough time for submission and review
- Non-U.S. person visitors must now be hosted by an NIH federal employee who is also a U.S. person and has completed required security training.
Additional Policy Elements:
- Defines eligibility, responsibilities, and training requirements for the following key roles:
- Non-U.S. Visitors accessing NIH facilities
- ICO Points of Contact collaborating with IC hosts and ORS to questions/issues
- Hosts inviting visitors to NIH who assume responsibility for those visitors
- Requestors coordinating with hosts and visitors to submit pre-registration requests
- Escorts accompanying and responsible for non-U.S. person visitors while at NIH– (only for locations where they are currently established)
- Defines required information to be collected for non-U.S. person pre-registration
Additional details on the revised visitor procedures and building access can be found at: Temporary NIH Non-U.S. Person Visitor Access Policy.
Questions? Contact the ORS Information Line at
orsinfo@mail.nih.gov or call 301-594-6677, TTY 301-435-1908.
