USCIS Visitor Policy

In DHS-controlled spaces, this guidance does not supersede the most restrictive state, local, tribal, or territorial rules and regulations on mask-wearing and physical distancing.

This page covers information on how community levels govern wearing masks and practicing physical distancing. It also covers guidelines for entering USCIS facilities and attending appointments.

Where community levels established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are low or medium, you do not need to wear a mask or practice social distancing in a USCIS facility. However, you may wear a mask if you want to do so.

Where community levels are high, all federal employees and contractors—as well as visitors two years old or older—must wear a mask inside USCIS offices and physically distance regardless of vaccination status.

We do not allow neck gaiters, bandanas, or masks with exhaust valves for masks. These masks are unacceptable because we believe they present a safety risk. If you appear at a USCIS office without an acceptable mask, we may offer you a replacement mask or ask you to reschedule your appointment. We reserve the right to deny entry to anyone who does not wear an acceptable mask.

We may direct you to briefly remove your mask to confirm your identity or take your photograph.

Please follow the instructions included in your appointment notice, including for your scheduled appointment at the designated date and time. If you need to reschedule your appointment, call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). To reschedule your appointment with an asylum office, please follow the instructions in your interview notice. Appointment notices will include more instructions for visiting USCIS facilities.

Follow USCIS signs or instructions to maintain physical distancing while in offices with high CDC COVID-19 community levels.

We must limit the number of people in our waiting rooms. Only the following people may accompany you at your appointment:

• An attorney;
• An interpreter (if permitted under specific guidance about interpreters for affirmative asylum interviews);
• A parent, legal guardian, or a trusted adult, if the applicant being interviewed is a minor;
• Immediate family members listed as dependents on the application or interview notice; or
• An individual assisting a disabled person.

If you are feeling sick, please do not come to our office. Follow the instructions on your appointment notice to reschedule your appointment for when you are healthy. There is no penalty for rescheduling your appointment if you are sick.

You may not enter a USCIS facility if you have:

• COVID-19 or any symptoms of COVID-19 (according to the CDC), including recently developed cough, fever, difficulty breathing, new loss of smell or taste, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, congestion, sore throat, or vomiting (this list does not include all symptoms);
• Been in close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with anyone known to have COVID-19 in the past 10 days (unless you are “up to date" on your COVID-19 vaccination or you are a health care worker and consistently wear an N95 respirator and proper personal protective equipment or equivalent when in contact with COVID-19 positive individuals);

• Returned from international or cruise ship travel in the past 5 days (unless you are “up to date” on your COVID-19 vaccination); or
• Been instructed by a health care provider, public health authority, or government entity to self-isolate or self-quarantine in the past 10 days (unless you have been cleared to end isolation or quarantine).

“Up to date" on your COVID-19 vaccination means a person has received all recommended doses in their primary series and one booster when eligible.

Please visit uscis.gov/coronavirus for updates. For the latest information on the status of an office, visit uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-office-closings.