# Tourist visit to White House? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 28, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-visit-to-white-house/389859 "2007-01-28T19:34:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-visit-to-white-house/389859/1 "2007-01-28T19:34:55Z")
I’m thinking of visiting Washington. In [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=405950) it is revealed that one can visit the White House. However, going to the [tours webpage](http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/tours/) I only see mention of citizens applying through their members of Congress. Can non-citizens go on these tours? How and to whom would I apply? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-visit-to-white-house/389859/2 "2007-01-28T19:54:18Z")
[It looks like they’re still mostly in post 9/11 mode:](http://www.washington.org/index.cfm?blnNavView=True&idContentType=503&idCurrentPage=30&CFID=4478617&CFTOKEN=29940160#2) > [@](#): > > Tours of the White House have been expanded from school, youth, military and veterans’ groups to include any groups of ten. Groups of ten should submit a request through their member of Congress at least one month and up to six months in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-visit-to-white-house/389859/3 "2007-01-28T23:53:20Z")
I’m going there soon on a school field trip. Here is what I understand: Make your request (with names and dates) for a tour to a congress person at least 3-6 months in advance Your party will need at least 10 people. (They will not assist to put together smaller groups anymore.) If approved, you will need names, SS#'s and dates- of- birth for all in your group (to be cleared by security). Someone will call you with your confirmed reservation. Plan on having your tour cancelled. The do-not-bring list is extensive and there is no place to store your belongings while on tour. Just don’t bring stuff. I’ve also heard the tour is self guided, short, and only covers about 6 rooms. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-visit-to-white-house/389859/4 "2007-01-29T20:21:42Z")
So, not a lot of hope for someone who isn’t a citizen, and is a foreign tourist to boot? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-visit-to-white-house/389859/5 "2007-01-29T20:29:41Z")
[Visiting The White House](http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/tours/) is a good place to start. As to what not to bring, the list is pretty extensive … > [@](#): > > Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following: handbags, book bags, backpacks, purses, food and beverages of any kind, strollers, cameras, video recorders or any type of recording device, tobacco products, personal grooming items (make-up, hair brush or comb, lip or hand lotions, etc.), any pointed objects (pens, knitting needles, etc.), aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices, or knives of any size. The U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. Umbrellas, wallets, cell phones and car keys are permitted. So you can bring an umbrella to stay dry, carry a cell phone so you can talk all you want, but you can’t comb your hair nor take notes or pictures. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-visit-to-white-house/389859/6 "2007-01-29T20:31:59Z")
[QUOTE=Quartz] So, not a lot of hope for someone who isn’t a citizen, and is a foreign tourist to boot? [/QUOTE] No. I am a foreign national and visited. A group was pre-approved for a visit, through our (Canadian) embassy, some months in advance. Contact your embassy or consulate in Washington, DC.