> ![](media/image2.png){width="7.496527777777778in"
> height="1.9152777777777779in"}

  ----- -----------------------------------------------------------------
        

        NOAA\
        FISHERIES\
        SERVICE

        
  ----- -----------------------------------------------------------------

**Foreign National Registration System**

**User Guide**

[*https://fnrs.nmfs.noaa.gov/*](https://fnrs.nmfs.noaa.gov/)

Table Of Contents

[Background: 3](#__RefHeading___Toc210788657)

[Logging In: 3](#__RefHeading___Toc210788658)

[Status Dash Board: 4](#__RefHeading___Toc210788659)

[New Request: 4](#__RefHeading___Toc210788660)

[Departmental Sponsor Information: 6](#__RefHeading___Toc210788661)

[Getting Help: 10](#__RefHeading___Toc210788662)

[Glossary/Definitions of Terms: 10](#__RefHeading___Toc210788663)

[Appendix A: 11](#__RefHeading___Toc210788664)

**Instructions for Using the**

**NOAA Foreign National Registration System**

[*https://fnrs.nmfs.noaa.gov/*](https://fnrs.nmfs.noaa.gov/)

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc210788657 .anchor}Background:

Hosting Foreign National Guests to conduct collaborative research,
participate in field research activities, and other duties is an
important activity for NOAA scientists and staff. The NOAA Foreign
National Registration System (FNRS) was designed to provide sponsors of
Foreign National Guests to NOAA facilities, ships, and airplanes a
single location to enter the information required to obtain appropriate
approvals for a visit.

The following are instructions for logging on to and processing a
request to sponsor a Foreign National Guest using the FNRS. However,
prior to logging on it is important that you have all of the information
you will need to complete the request. The data you will need to
complete the request is listed at the end of this User Guide (Appendix
A).

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc210788658 .anchor}Logging In:

Once you have obtained the information you will need to submit the
request, log on to FNRS using your NOAA email user name (without the
\@noaa.gov). To use the system you must be the NOAA employee who will be
the Departmental Sponsor for the Foreign National Guest visiting your
facility. The registration system will auto-populate the sponsor
information from the NOAA email directory (LDAP); however you are
required to verify that the information is correct.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="5.375in" height="4.039583333333334in"}

You will not be able to enter your user ID or Password until you've read
the notice and clicked the 'I Agree' box.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc210788659 .anchor}Status Dash Board:

Once logged on, the first screen you see will list all other requests
for guest approvals you may have in the system.

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="6.497916666666667in"
height="5.616666666666666in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc210788660 .anchor}New Request:

On the Status Dash Board, Click on **New Request.**

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="2.4993055555555554in"
height="1.1215277777777777in"}

Enter the information required information for your guest's visit on the
next screens. The first screen includes information for your guest. If
you are unsure of the definition of any of the required fields, click on
the field name to open the Help file. Help will open in a new window.

You MUST check the DOC Bureau of Industry and Security lists to
determine if your guest is on a 'Denied Persons' list.

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="5.871527777777778in" height="4.5125in"}

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="3.8868055555555556in"
height="3.308333333333333in"}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc210788661 .anchor}Departmental Sponsor
Information:

Review your Departmental Sponsor Information and make any necessary
corrections. If there is an error in any of the data you should also
contact your local IT staff in order to have the LDAP corrected.

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="6.490277777777778in"
height="2.515972222222222in"}

Enter the required Visit Information. Note that you should enter this
data at least 30 calendar days in advance of the visit. The purpose of
the visit should be a brief description such as "Participate in research
vessel survey". The justification should be more detailed.

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="5.75in" height="4.704166666666667in"}

The Position field is a dropdown list; chose Contractor, Guest
Researcher, Cooperative Institute, or Other.

Select the Facility your guest will be accessing during the visit using
the dropdown lists. Once the facility is chosen, click the Required
Facility Information button and enter the specific information required.
If you indicate that you will not serve as the Foreign National's
Escort, you will be prompted to enter the Designated Escort's name and
email address. If you indicate that you are aware of Controlled
Technology in addition to any that is listed for the facility, you will
be prompted to provide specific information on that technology.

![](media/image9.jpeg){width="6.492361111111111in"
height="5.809722222222222in"}

Enter similar information for any Vessel or Airplane the Foreign
National Guest may access during the visit.

![](media/image10.jpeg){width="6.495138888888889in"
height="4.423611111111111in"}

Enter the Program Name under which the Foreign National will be working
(e.g. JIMAR, NRC Post-Doc Associate, Contractor name, etc.) and his/her
telephone number while at your facility. Also indicate whether or not
the guest will have access to any Classified, Sensitive But
Unclassified, or other controlled data or information and expect to be
contacted by the Security Office if the answer is Yes.

Finally, read the "Certification of Conditions and Responsibilities for
Departmental Sponsors of Foreign National Guests". Once you have read
and agree to the terms, check the certification boxes.

If there is information that you know is missing from the registration
that must be entered prior to submission, click Save as draft. The
registration will be saved for you to return to and complete later. If
the registration is complete, click the Submit button.

![](media/image11.jpeg){width="6.496527777777778in"
height="4.298611111111111in"}

Once submitted, the appropriate Controlled Technology Coordinator (CTC)
for your Line Office will be notified via email that a request for a
Foreign National visit has been submitted. The CTC will then review the
request and either Approve it, request additional information if
portions of the request are unclear or incomplete, or Reject the
request.

Once approved by the CTC, the request will be forwarded to the NOAA
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for approval. The CAO will also
review the request and either Approve it, request additional information
if portions of the request are unclear or incomplete, or Reject the
request.

Once approved by the CAO, the request will be sent to the appropriate
regional Office of Security for review and approval. During each step of
the process, the sponsor will be notified via email of the status of the
request. If you are notified that additional information is required at
any stage of the approval process, you should log back into FNRS, select
the request that needs revision (it will be highlighted with a comment
or instructions from the Requestor), and update the entry.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc210788662 .anchor}Getting Help:

For NMFS application issues please contact:

E-mail:
[FNRS.Support@noaa.gov](mailto:For NMFS application issues please contact:?subject=Requesting Help with FNRS)

Phone: (301) 713-2376

Fax: (301) 427-2507

Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 5:30 pm (Eastern)

If you need an account administration and

For local desktop issues, and connectivity problems please contact your
local IT support center.

For Access to FNRS, or Deemed Export/Business Process related questions
please contact your Controlled Technology Coordinator.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc210788663 .anchor}Glossary/Definitions of Terms:

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="2.4993055555555554in"
height="1.1215277777777777in"}

For glossary of terms or definitions, please click on the Help icon on
your screen. You may also click of the labels in the forms to see the
definitions.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc210788664 .anchor}Appendix A:

**Information to have ready before you log on to the Foreign National
Registration System**

**Foreign National Guest Information**

Guest Name (First, Last, MI)

Gender

Country of Birth

Country of Citizenship

Country of Current Residence

Dual Citizenship (if Yes, need both Countries)

Home Country

Date of Birth

Passport Number

Country of Passport

**Visit Information**

Start Date at NOAA

Scheduled Departure Date

Purpose of Visit (brief)

Justification for Visit (detailed)

Position (Contractor, Guest Researcher, Cooperative Institute, Other)

Facilities to be Accessed

Line Office (e.g. NMFS)

FMC (e.g. NEFSC, PIRO, HQ, etc.)

FMC State (e.g. NEFSC, Massachusetts)

FMC Facility Name (e.g. Main Lab Building)

Designated area of facility (e.g. Room number)

NMAO Ships/Airplanes to be Accessed

Host Program Name

FN Phone Number while a guest at your facility