International Services for NIH Staff

Where to find the FIC VPO Staff

FIC Visa/Passport Office
Building 31, Room B2C05
31 Center Dr. MSC 2220
Bethesda, MD 20892-2220
301-827-5555

Hours of Operation

• Business 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.