USCIS Visitor Policy

In DHS-controlled spaces, this guidance supersedes state, local, tribal, or territorial rules and regulations regarding face coverings.

In all areas of the country, all USCIS employees, on-site contractors, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status or level of COVID-19 transmission in your local area, are required to wear a mask inside all DHS and USCIS workspaces and federal buildings. All federal employees, on-site contractors, and visitors must continue to follow local USCIS guidance on physical distancing and workplace protection guidance consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and agency guidance.

To protect our workforce and the public from exposure to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we require all applicants, petitioners, and visitors  to wear face coverings that cover both the mouth and nose while in a USCIS office. The CDC provides measures for selecting and wearing face coverings.

Due to potential safety risks, we do not allow neck gaiters, bandanas, or masks with exhaust valves to be used as face coverings. If you appear at a USCIS office without an acceptable face covering, 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 face covering.

We may direct you to briefly remove your face covering 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.

Face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing. Follow USCIS signs or instructions to maintain social distancing during screening and while in USCIS space.

To limit the number of people in the waiting room, applicants with scheduled appointments may only be accompanied by:  

  • An attorney;
  • An interpreter (if permitted under specific guidance regarding 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; and
  • An individual assisting a disabled person.

For now, we cannot allow guests at naturalization ceremonies. We are limiting attendance at ceremonies to the candidates who are scheduled to be naturalized and individuals helping disabled people. We require all visitors to wear face coverings during the naturalization ceremony regardless of your vaccination status, even if it is held outside of a USCIS building.

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 will not be allowed to enter the USCIS office if you:

  • Have COVID-19 or any symptoms of COVID-19 according to the CDC, including, but not limited to, a recently developed cough, fever, difficulty breathing, new loss of smell or taste, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, congestion, sore throat, or vomiting;
  • Have 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 14 days (unless you are fully vaccinated or if you are a health care worker and consistently wear an N95 respirator and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) or equivalent when in contact with COVID-19 positive individuals);
  • Have returned from domestic air, international air, or cruise ship travel in the past 10 days (unless you are fully vaccinated);
  • Have been instructed by a health care provider, public health authority, or government entity to self-isolate or self-quarantine in the past 14 days; or 
  • Refuse to wear a face covering or mask in accordance with USCIS policy.

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.

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.

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