The Laboratory strongly supports an atmosphere of free intellectual exchange and collaboration within the international scientific and technical community. Visitors from around the world play a vital role in sustaining the creative environment and achieving the mission of Berkeley Lab.

Some visitors, however, require special processing. Under DOE's guidance governing unclassified foreign visits and assignments (DOE O 142.3), all DOE facilities are required to document the visits and assignments of individuals who are citizens of, were born in, or are affiliated with sensitive or terrorist-sponsoring countries. Individuals from non-sensitive countries are also included in this requirement if they require access to a Property Protection Area (PPA).

NOTE: Requirements under DOE O 142.3 do not include those born in sensitive or terrorist-sponsoring countries who have become U.S. citizens. It does, however, cover immigrants or "green card" holders.

Terrorist-sponsoring Country Processing
Prospective employees, participating guests, or subcontract personnel who are citizens of, were born in, or are affiliated with any of the countries identified by the U.S. State Department as terrorist-sponsoring countries require notification to the Security Office (486-7572) as early in the hire or invitation process as possible. PRIOR DOE Secretarial approval is required before these individuals can be badged or granted Laboratory access. Since these approvals are currently taking 4-6 months--even for one-day visits, tours, or interviews--early notification is essential to best accommodate the visitor, prospective employee, guest, or subcontractor, as well as the sponsoring division.

Sensitive Country Processing
Prospective employees, guests, or subcontract personnel who are citizens of, were born in, or are affiliated with any of the countries on DOE's list of sensitive countries require 30-day advance notification to the Counterintelligence Office (486-5132) to allow for adequate processing time and local Lab approval. Berkeley Lab is only required to document the assignments (over 30 calendar days) of individuals from sensitive countries--not visits, which DOE defines as 30 days or less. See Approval Timing for details.For specific instructions on processing international guests, please see Guest Processing.


Non-Sensitive Country Processing
Berkeley Lab is not required to document the visits or assignments of individuals from non-sensitive countries unless they require cardkey access to one of the Lab's Property Protection Areas (PPA). Please contact the Security Office 30 days in advance to allow for adequate processing time and approvals.

Passport, Visa, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Information
All employees or guests of the Laboratory who are not U.S. citizens must provide documentation of their immigrant or non-immigrant status to verify identity and authority to work, i.e., visa, passport, or green card. These documents must be reviewed annually to ensure that the individual is in lawful immigration status. Contact the International Researchers & Scholars Office (IRSO) (486-6326) or visit the IRSO website for specific immigration questions.