Atlas - Visitors Landing Page

On this page:

Overview

The MIT visitor access system is part of the MIT Atlas suite of applications developed by Information Systems and Technology (IS&T).

• MIT community members may use the Visitor Access feature within the MIT Atlas mobile app to invite guests to access designated campus building entrances.
• Guests use the Atlas mobile app to accept invitations, register for an MIT Guest Mobile ID, and access campus for their visit.
• MIT alumni may use the Atlas mobile app to activate a digital version of the MIT Alumni ID.

A single visitor pass is valid for seven consecutive days. That window of time can be scheduled in the future, it does not need to start immediately.

For MIT Community Members: Inviting Guests to Campus

There are two ways to issue an invitation to a guest so that they may activate their MIT Guest ID.

• Individual - Create an invitation for an individual using the People tab. This will send the individual a personal link to register.
• Event - Create an event using the Events tab, then distribute the link or its associated PDF or QR code to invitees. Every invitee can use the event link to register. Invitees can also be invited directly and sent an event registration link.

Requirements for Issuing Invitations

• Requires an active MIT Kerberos account
• The MIT Atlas application.
  • iPhone (device must be running iOS 14+)
  • Android (device must be running Android 7+)
  • Windows
  • Mac OS

How to Send an Individual Visitor Invitation

Individual visitors can be invited to register for a visitor ID by a community member with an active MIT Kerberos account.

1. Open the MIT Atlas App > Visitors
2. On the People tab, click the Add button.
   
3. Select Visitor.
4. Enter the email address of the visitor.
   
5. If they're not in the system, select the option to Add new visitor.
   
   
   
6. Fill out the visitor information and the access start date. Visitors will have access for 7 days starting on the start date. If they need additional access, you can send additional invitations that start immediately after the first one ends.
   
   
7. Click Invite in the top-right.
   
   Note: The contact number and email address entered will be associated with a unique invitee and can not be re-used for another invitee. The invitation will be sent to the email address.
   Result: You will be returned to the People screen where you will be able to see the visitor you created.
   
   
   
   
8. To issue more invitations, click the user from the list or the Add button to find/add visitors not already listed.

Visitor Access for Events

• The visitors system can be used by event organizers to invite multiple guests to register for a MIT Guest ID they can tap at building entrance card readers.
• Events taking place in buildings open to the public require no visitor passes for door entry. You may personally escort and take responsibility for a small number of guests (approximately 6) without using Visitors.
• For current access details including maps, visit the Building Access page on the IS&T website.

Create the Event

Screen shots are from the web interface. The mobile application also offers very similar functionality and steps.

1. Open the the MIT Atlas App and select Visitors.
   
   
   
   
2. Click on the Events tab.
   
   
   
3. Click Add and select Event.
   
   
   
   
4. Fill out the event details and select Create in the top-right.
   
   
   
   Result: The event has been created and is shown in the list of events.
   
   

Invite Event Attendees

From the Visitors section in the MIT Atlas App:

1. Open the MIT Atlas App > Visitors > Events
2. Tap or click your event.
   
   
3. You can share the event via link, QR code or PDF send invitations to individuals directly or.
   • Click Share Event.
     
     
     
     Result: The QR code and link for the event is displayed. They can be shared to publicize the event on posters, email, social media and more. When invitees scan the QR code or go to the link, they will be taken to the visitor access system to register for the event and if, needed, their MIT Guest ID.
     This event QR code or link will not allow visitors to scan into the event directly. They must follow the link, register for the event, and activate their MIT Guest ID.
     OR
   • Scroll down to Attendees and tap Invited Attendees. From there you can issue additional invitations or remove attendees from the event as needed.
     
     

For Guests: Accepting and Using a Visitor or Event Invitation

Requirements for Accepting/Using an Invitation

In order for a visitor to be issued an invitation for an MIT Event and access that event, each visitor must:

• Have a non-MIT email address (e.g. @gmail.com @verizon.net etc)
• Provide contact information (name, phone number/email address)
• Be issued an invitation by an authorized member of the MIT community
• Install the MIT Atlas mobile application on their supported device
  • iPhone (device must be running iOS 14+)
  • Android (device must be running Android 7+).
• Install Okta Verify for authentication
  • Android
  • Apple
• Set up their MIT Guest account
  The MIT Atlas mobile application is available for iOS 14+ and Android 7+.

MIT Atlas Guest Setup

Visitors will only need to set up their Guest account and MIT Visitor ID once per non-MIT email address that receives invitations.

• Atlas - Visitor Guest Account Setup on iOS and Android Devices

Accepting and Using an Individual Invitation

• Users with a guest account already set up will receive notification of their guest access by email, and the details will appear in their Atlas app in the My Access section. No action is required to accept the invite.
  

• Users who do not have a guest account will receive an invitation to [set up a guest account]. Once that is created, they will see the details of their access in their Atlas app in the My Access section.
  
  
  

During the access period, you will be able to use the MIT mobile ID you saved to your phone's wallet or your smartwatch to access campus.

Accepting and Using an Event Invitation

When you use an event link/barcode, you will be taken to the Atlas app. From there you can login or [setup] their guest account and register for the event.

You will be able to use the MIT mobile ID you saved to your phone's wallet or your smartwatch to access the event.

Requesting Access

In addition to accepting issued invitations, guests can also request access to campus from authorized MIT community members. To request access guests must first Set up a Guest Account and ID

1. Open the MIT Atlas App
   
2. Tap Visitor Login
3. Enter the email address associated with your MIT Guest Account. Follow the prompts and authenticate with your password and Okta.
   
   Result: You're logged in and see your dashboard.
   
4. Tap My Access
   
5. Tap Request Access
   
6. Fill out the required information and click Submit.
   
   Result: The person you're requesting access from will be notified of your request and be able to grant or deny access from their account using Atlas Visitors.
7. Click Continue.
   
   Result: You are returned to the "My Access" screen and will see your Guest Access request listed as pending. Once your request is approved or denied, you will be notified. If approved, your Guest Access listing will no longer appear as pending and you will be able to access campus with your MIT Mobile ID during the dates listed.
   
   

Approving Access Requests

Guests can request access to campus. Once notified of a request, you will need to review and approve it in order for the visitor to obtain access to campus.

1. Open the Atlas app and authenticate.
2. Tap on the Visitors tile.
   
3. In the People tab, select the person listed with "Awaiting Approval" highlighted below their name.
   
   Result: You are taken to the visitor details page where you can see the dates of the requested access.
4. Click on the dates listed as "Awaiting Approval"
   
   Result: The Access Request details are displayed.
5. Approve or Decline the access by clicking the appropriate button.
   
   Result: The requestor is notified of your decision. If approved, they will be able to access campus during the requested date range using their MIT mobile ID.

Troubleshooting and FAQ's

• Who can see the personal information entered in order to receive an invitation?
  Can admins get a list of people who have signed up for their event?
  Information collected about visitors is stored in accordance with our privacy policy. This information is not available to the event organizers at this time.

• After enrolling, how does someone correct/update personal information?
  In the app: Click on the profile tab to update personal information.

• When I try to login as a an MIT Guest in Atlas it says to enter my invitation email address to activate my account, but I already did that. How do I login?
  Enter your email address and click Continue. The system will recognize you as a guest who has already set up your account and prompt you to authenticate. For more, see: Atlas - Visitor Guest Account Login

• Will invitations give my visitors access to any interior doors or elevators?
  No, you will need to escort your visitors from the exterior doors wherever they need to go inside.

• Are there any additional requirements for inviting international visitors to campus?
  No, it is the same process for domestic and international visitors.

• Can I invite a list of people to visit campus?
  Individual visitors must be added individually. Event attendees register themselves using the event link.

• My visitor says they didn't get their invite, where is it?
  Encourage your visitor to check their spam, junk, promotions and any other locations their email provider may automatically filter messages it believes to be automated. If they still can't find it, for individual invites you can cancel the invite and send them a new one. For event invites, you can send them the event QR code or link using the share option on the event (see below).

• Can I share the QR code or PDF for my event?
  Yes, you can share the QR code, PDF or link to  your event (not to be mistaken by the individual QR codes for Non-MIT event attendees).
  
  Open Atlas and go to Visitors > Events > Your Event > Share Event. You can screenshot the QR code for sharing in email, on posters, via social media or however else you advertise your event.

• I'm having trouble migrating my Tim Tickets ID to Atlas. What should I do?
  You do not need to migrate your Tim Tickets Guest ID. You can start over and create your account fresh in Atlas Visitors and obtain an MIT Guest ID there. You will need to take or upload your ID photo again, but otherwise it will work the same so long as you use the same phone number/email address as for the Tim Tickets account.

• I tried to login using the OKTA Login button on the Atlas App home screen using my MIT guest account email and password, but it says "Unable to sign in". How do I login?*
  The OKTA login button is for MIT community members with MIT Kerberos accounts. Use the MIT Guest button instead. You will still use OKTA to verify, but you need to use the guest version of the autentication system.

See Also

• Atlas - Visitor Guest Account and MIT Guest ID Setup on iOS and Android Devices
• Atlas - Visitor Guest Account Login
• Atlas mobile app

Have Questions or Still Need Help?

• Contact the IS&T Service Desk