The Division of International Services (DIS) is responsible for verifying that all foreign nationals are conducting activities at NIH that are appropriate for their immigration status.
After the Administrative Officer (AO) sponsors a foreign national for a badge in the NIH Enterprise Directory (NED), DIS must validate the foreign national's work status before the badge process can continue. After DIS validation, the badge is routed to the Division of Personnel Security (DPS; formerly DPSAC).
Questions about background investigations or badge issuance after DIS validation? Contact the DPS team.
Questions about entering or updating information in NED? Contact the NED team.
NIH Visiting Program (VP) Participants
For NIH Visiting Program participants (e.g. Visiting Fellow or Research Fellow) who are new to NIH, DIS validates the badge request as a part of the foreign national's check-in session or entry-on-duty appointment with our office. DIS also updates NED for Visiting Program participants as a part of renewal case processing.
Changes in Designation
To change a foreign national from a non-FTE to an FTE designation (e.g. Visiting Fellow to Research Fellow), NIH administrative staff should use the "update" function in NED. This step will notify DPS of the change, and if needed, they will initiate a background investigation for the FTE position. Do not modify the EOD date, doing so will deactivate the current badge. Change to an FTE designation will effectively freeze the Fellowship Payment System (FPS) record for that individual; no further FPS modifications will be allowed. Contact your FPS HPOC with any questions.
RLA to PIV Conversion
Contact the DPS (DPS; formerly DPSAC) team. If badge revalidation is required, notify DIS and provide the NIH ID number.
Contractors, Tenants, Volunteers
Individuals designated as NIH Contractors, Tenants, or Volunteers must provide proof of immigration status to DIS for badge validation. Contractors must also provide proof of work authorization.
Documentation requirements and submission guidance can be found on our
Contractor Badges webpage.
Permanent Residents and U.S. Citizens
DIS does not provide badge validation for U.S. Permanent Residents (green card holders) or U.S. Citizens. DIS does not need to be updated or need documents when an individual becomes a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process. Contact the NED team to correct any citizenship errors in NED.
However, please notify DIS whenever a scientist in the Visiting Program obtains U.S. Permanent Resident status. Update NED and submit a copy of the green card to DIS when this occurs.
Scientists Outside the U.S.
DIS does not validate NED records for individuals stationed overseas.
To request network access for an individual outside the U.S., direct questions to your IC Executive Officer or Chief Information Officer.
