The Fogarty International Center (FIC) processes applications only for official and diplomatic passports and visas for NIH employees.
Our Office is Moving!
Effective April 30, 2024, the Fogarty International Center (FIC) Visa Passport Office (VPO) will be permanently relocated back to Building 31, Room B2C05
Important dates and information
On Friday, April 26, 2024, the VPO staff will physically relocate back to the permanent location. On Friday, April 26, 2024 – Monday, April 29, 2024, the VPO staff will not have access to the VPO systems to receive or process cases due to the physical office relocation. Please notify your IC staff who have visa or passport-related cases to submit their packages to the VPO before Friday, April 26, or after Monday, April 29, 2024.
Where to find the FIC VPO Staff
Starting on April 30, 2024:
FIC Visa/Passport Office
Building 31, Room B2C05
31 Center Dr. MSC 2220
Bethesda, MD 20892-2220
301-827-5555
Hours of Operation
- General office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Office hours for in person walk-in visa or passport service and other appointments: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Drop Box is available every day 24/7
Need to pick up a passport?
- Passports may be picked up during walk-in office hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. No appointment is required.
- If you are applying for an official passport and/or visa, you will be notified by your FIC specialist when it’s complete.
- Official passports can be picked up as early as three weeks prior to the scheduled travel dates.
- Remote workers and other staff unable to come to office may include a return FedEx airbill with their passport/visa application or may email a PDF copy of the return airbill to their FIC specialist. Consult with your travel planner or administrative officer for assistance with obtaining an airbill.
- Several ICs with off-campus sites have courier services. Check with your travel planner or administrative officer for assistance.
Need to submit an application or return a passport?
- Applications may be submitted, and official passports may be returned, to an FIC specialist during walk-in hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 12pm. No appointment is required.
- An in-door drop slot is available 24/7 for application submissions and passport returns.
- The address for express mail or postal mail delivery is:
FIC Visa/Passport Office
Building 31, Room B2C05
31 Center Dr. MSC 2220
Bethesda, MD 20892-2220
301-827-5555
- Official passports should be returned to the FIC Visa/Passport Office within 2 weeks of completion of travel.
Notification of Foreign Travel for NIH Staff
Notification for Foreign Travel (NFT) is part of foreign travel authorization in the NIH CGE Travel System. This mandatory step in all foreign travel must be completed before the trip can be officially approved.
Notification of Foreign Travel for NIH Staff
Training for Persons Traveling Abroad
Travel Planning Resources
Updated April 19, 2024