The Division of International Services (DIS) provides services to over 3,000 foreign scientists at NIH. There are approximately 2,100 active foreign scientists in the Visiting Program (VP) at NIH at any one time. Recently, NED badge validation has become a big component of the services DIS provides. Approximately 20 percent of emails to DIS@mail.nih.gov are badge related. NED badge validation requires DIS to establish the lawful authorized work until date and initial date of entry into the US for foreign nationals in the VP, both Non-FTE and FTE. DIS also assists with foreign nationals in the Contractor and Tenant designation – completing 831 non-VP NED validations during FY 2019.
DIS updated its procedures for validation of foreign national NED records in response to longer DPSAC badge processing times. These updates are an effort to increase efficiency of the PIV badge issuing process. It also maintains our role in ensuring NIH compliance with immigration regulations while also responding to the requests of our customers.
Historically, DIS completed NED validation on the Enter on Duty Date. DIS now considers requests to complete this action early – once the immigration documents necessary for the individual's NIH designation are in place. The authorized work until date is entered for a temporary period to allow the background investigation to begin. After the foreign national arrives to the NIH and completes the check in process, the authorized work until date is updated to the full duration. This process accommodates the community's interest in beginning background investigations before the appointment begins, but also ensures that upon check-in, work authorization and immigration status is confirmed.
For the Contractor and Tenant population, DIS assists individuals on a walk-in basis, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for individuals working on the Bethesda campus. In-person clearance was moved to these hours from the afternoon to provide more dedicated service for these requests. For contractors in other NIH locations, DIS will accept immigration documents via fax, encrypted email or use of SEFT. Review and validation are done within three business days.
These new procedures have been well received by DIS' customers. It is helping to alleviate some of the stresses and concerns of new Visiting Program participants, Contractors, Tenants and their sponsors, allowing them to focus on and move forward with fulfilling the NIH mission.
