Important Changes to Access and Entry to the NIH Facilities
NIH has a new campus entry process called VisitNIH. If you are not a U.S. citizen or a holder of a valid US Green Card and you will be coming to NIH facilities, you must register before your planned visit. This applies whether you are coming to the NIH for the first time or if you are already part of a research study and have been to the NIH before. This also applies to any visitors or family members who come with you and are not U.S. citizens or do not have a valid U.S. Green Card.
If you think this may apply to you, please contact your study team so that they can start the registration process.
Non-U.S. persons must pre-register 30 days in advance.
If you do not complete the registration process, you will not be permitted access to NIH’s Bethesda Main Campus.
The registration process will collect the following information:
- Your name
- Your citizenship
- Your phone number
- Why you are coming to NIH
- Your date and place of birth
- Information about your passport, including the number and where it was issued
- If you are from a country that requires a visa, you will need to tell us the type of visa, the visa number, when it was issued and when it expires.
- You must also submit a copy of your passport and visa (if required).
ID entered into the registration system must match the ID presented at NIH. Please bring the same ID when coming to campus.
If you are a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Green Card holder, you may also register before coming to NIH facilities. You do not have to register in advance, but if you do, it will speed up your entry into NIH facilities. Please speak to your study team to start the registration process. You will still need to bring approved forms of ID to enter NIH facilities. Visit Identification for NIH Access for more information.
The information you provide will go into a computer system that is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of National Security (ONS). While the purpose of collecting this information is to allow access to the NIH facility, other US Government agencies may see this information.
If you are a current NIH patient and have concerns about this new process, please contact your study team directly.
For more information, visit FAQs for Visitors.