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security.nih.gov

Your central source for NIH security information,
provided by the Office of Research Services

Coming to NIH

​The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation's medical research agency and welcomes visitors from across the United States and around the world. The NIH implements security procedures to ensure the safety of patients, employees, guests, and facilities. Our goal is to enable NIH to operate an efficient and effective visitor access management process for all visitors. ​​

Visitor Access

All patients and visitors ages 18 and older must display an approved form of identification and undergo a security screening to obtain a visitor badge to enter NIH facilities. ​​​

U.S. Person Visitors

U.S. person visitors may gain access on to campus by:  

  • Accompanying an NIH employee with a valid NIH/HHS issued ID​ through the visitor vehicle inspection lanes at the NIH Gateway Center at Metro or the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF) to receive a one-day visitor pass.
  • Proceeding to the Gateway Visitor Center as a pedestrian to receive a one-day visitor pass.
  • Completing the VisitNIH pre-registration process prior to date of visit.* 

*Pre-registration is available on January 30, 2025​​ and must be completed by an eligible NIH federal employee. Pre-registration is optional for U.S. Person visitors.

Non-U.S. Person Visitors​

As of January 30, 2025, all non-U.S. person visitors and patients must pre-register at least 30 days prior to visiting Bethesda Main Campus, 5601 Fishers Lane, Biomedical Research Center, and Shady Grove.* Failure to pre-register in time could put the visit at risk of being denied. 

Non-U.S. person visitors ​are required to be hosted by an NIH federal employee who is a U.S. person. Once the pre-registration process is complete and the request has been approved, a non-U.S. person visitor accompanying an NIH employee can gain access on to ​campus through any visitor entrance. 

Non-U.S. person visitors should bring their unexpired foreign passport when entering the facility and be prepared to provide the guard with U.S.-issued visa information during the check-in process, if applicable. Non-U.S. Person Visitors from countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism must also request pre-approval by submitting a​ Foreign Visitor Data Request Form. 

For more information, review the Temporary NIH Non-U.S. Person Visitor Access Policy.​​​​

Special Visitor Passes

​Questions? Contact the ORS Information Line at orsinfo@mail.nih.gov or call 301-594-6677, TTY 301-435-1908.​


Additional Resources