Learn More
This FAQ page answers common questions around the changes. Join a Lunch and Learn on the topic, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20, at 1 pm. You can submit questions in advance using this form.
What is Changing?
- Visitor Site Access: All foreign nationals visiting Lab sites must now be processed through DOE. For foreign nationals from DOE’s Sensitive Countries List (SCL), these individuals must be granted DOE approval before site access is permitted.
- New Employee and Affiliate Appointments: All foreign national appointees from countries on the SCL must be granted DOE approval before their appointment start date.
- Hosting: Employees from DOE designated “Countries of Risk” are restricted from hosting visitors on site who are from countries on the SCL.
What is the Impact?
Any visits from foreign nationals from the SCL taking place on or after December 8th will require completed DOE approval prior to arrival on site. DOE approvals may take up to 60 calendar days to complete. You may want to consider postponing certain events or visits until a later date, if possible, to ensure that there is sufficient time for approvals.
Steps to Take Now
Be aware of upcoming visits that include foreign nationals from the SCL and submit visitor access requests as soon as possible. Do not use the standard Site Access System for these requests; instead use this new form.
Visitors from the U.S. or from countries not on the SCL will not require prior DOE approval. Continue to use the standard site access management form for these individuals. In the future, the approval process for foreign nationals from countries on the SCL will be integrated into the standard Site Access System.
