Although some Foreign Nationals (FNs) placed at the NIH are not part of the Visiting Program, they still require clearance from DIS before obtaining a badge.  Those individuals designated as Contractors, Tenants, or Volunteers are required to provide proof of immigration status and work authorization (when appropriate) to DIS before obtaining an NIH ID.
A list of documents required for DIS to verify immigration status and work authorization is available here. Upon presentation of the required documents DIS will clear the FN in the NIH Enterprise Directory (NED), attesting that the individual was lawfully admitted to the U.S. and is undertaking activities at NIH that are consistent with his/her immigration status.
Note that Lawful Permanent Residents and U.S. Citizens are not considered foreign nationals for badge purposes and thus do not require clearance from DIS. 

1. The date of first entry to the United States (not counting short term or tourist visits).
2. Acceptable immigration and work authorization documents as listed in the “Required Documents by Immigration Status Chart”. Copies are acceptable.

Main NIH Campus in Bethesda: If you work at the main NIH campus in Bethesda you must visit DIS in person for badge clearance. Badge Clearance hours for those not sponsored in the Visiting Program are held at the DIS office (Building 31, Suite B2B07) from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday (except in case of U.S. Government closure). No appointment is necessary.

Off-Campus Location: If you do not work at the main NIH campus in Bethesda, you or your Administrative Officer (AO) may submit the documents via Secure Email File Transfer (SEFT) or fax the required documents to DIS at 301-496-0847, ATTN: BADGE CLEARANCE.

NOTE: Lawful Permanent Residents (“Green Card” holders) and  U.S. Citizens do not require clearance from DIS.  If a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident is incorrectly entered as a foreign national or vice versa, the administrator will need to update the “Permanent U.S. Resident” field in the scientist’s NED record. Once the administrator has corrected the record, the scientist will be able to schedule their badge appointment. Note that green cards reflecting lawful permanent resident status are distinct from Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

Sample Green Card:

Sample Employment Authorization Document (EAD):

DIS uses immigration and work authorization documents to determine a FN’s end date, usually referred to as NTE (Not to Exceed) or AAWUD (Alien Authorized Work Until Date). The badge will deactivate once this date is reached. Individuals requiring extensions must bring updated documents to DIS prior to that date to avoid badge revocation.