Frequently Asked Questions
All visitors 18 years and older (and unaccompanied children 12 years and older) are required to present a valid government-issued photo identification issued by a Member State or an Non-Member Observer State of the United Nations to enter UN Headquarters. The photo identification must be original (no photographs or photocopies accepted), in Latin/Roman characters, and may include a passport, driver's license or national identity card.
Children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied by an adult.
We look forward to welcoming you to the United Nations! Your health and safety and that of our staff are our top priorities. UN Headquarters is following guidelines issued by the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), New York State, and New York City for increased health and safety procedures.
Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Staying Safe
So that UN Headquarters can safely remain open, we require that all visitors follow the guidelines outlined below. By visiting in person, you agree to abide by these polices. The United Nations reserves the right to ask visitors who do not follow these guidelines to leave the premises.
- Please stay home if you are feeling sick.
- Please follow the instructions of UN Security and Visitors Services staff. Failure to abide by these guidelines may result in you being asked to leave the premises.
- An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. We cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed to COVID-19 during your visit to UN Headquarters. Those visiting UN Headquarters do so at their own risk of such exposure.
- If you are unable to visit us in person, please see un.org/visit for more information on the wide range of virtual resources, activities, and programmes that you can enjoy from anywhere.
You can find out about available tour times and purchase your tickets by clicking “Book Now” on our home page, then selecting “In-Person Guided Tour - English” from the menu and following subsequent prompts. UN Headquarters is closed on the following holidays in 2024:
1 January - New Year's Day
29 March - Good Friday
10 April - Eid al-Fitr (observed)
27 May - Memorial Day
17 June - Eid al-Adha
4 July - Independence Day (observed)
2 September - Labour Day
28 November - Thanksgiving Day
25 December - Christmas Day
Yes, walk-ins with no pre-booked ticket are permitted. Please also read “What do I need to bring to enter the UN Headquarters?”.
Please check current ticket availability by clicking “Book Now” on our homepage. Select “In-Person Tours” from the menu and follow subsequent prompts. Guided tour tickets may also be purchased onsite based on availability.
The United Nations Headquarters is accessible for persons with disabilities or with a mobility impairment. Visitors may request the use of a wheelchair at the Cashier's Desk (located in the Visitors' Lobby), if taking a guided tour.
Service dogs are allowed on UNHQ premises to assist individuals with disabilities, in accordance with UNHQ regulations. However, emotional support animals are not permitted within UNHQ premises. Thank you for your cooperation in adhering to this policy. If you have any questions, please contact toursunhq@un.org.
Guided tours are 45-60 minutes long.
All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.
No. The General Assembly Hall and other Chambers are not open to the public and can only be viewed as part of a guided tour (meetings permitting).
We encourage our visitors to arrive by public transportation, as there is no on-site parking, and drop-off options are very limited. If your group arrives by a charter or school bus, ask your bus driver to drop you and your students onto the right side of 1st Avenue and East 46th Street in front of the UN Visitors Entrance.
For guided group tours of minors, we require one of every 20 persons to be an adult (this could be a teacher, parent or guardian).
If you arrive more than 15 minutes late at the Cashiers Desk to check in for your tour, your reservation may not be honored.
Tours are offered in all six official languages of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish), as well as in additional languages in high demand. Tours in languages other than English may be available upon request. Please contact toursunhq@un.org for availability.
In the unlikely event that the language tour requested is not available on the day, the tour will be conducted in English.
Please take a moment to enjoy the changing UN Exhibits in the Public Lobby before or after your tour. Check out what’s on show HERE. After your tour, you are welcome to browse the UN Gift Shop, UN Bookshop, UN Stamp counter and visit the Public Inquiries desk in the first basement (GA-1B) area. This is also where the restrooms and vending machines are located.
Yes. The use of photography (with personal cameras or camera phones) is permitted, but video recording is not. However, depending on the meetings taking place, your Tour Guide might indicate that photography is not permitted in certain Chambers.
No. All coats and backpacks must be carried while on tour. Please note that backpacks and bags larger than 14" (35cm) wide x 13" (33cm) high x 4" (10cm) deep are not permitted and that there are no luggage storage facilities available. For more information, please see Arrival.
You may purchase food and drinks at the Visitors Café or through vending machines. Please note that it's prohibited to bring food or beverages onto the UN premises. See our Arrival page for more information.
There is an ATM machine in the Visitor Centre near the Bookshop.
For security reasons, children under 5 years of age are not permitted on tour.
Yes. Please dress in a way that respects the professional working environment of the United Nations. United Nations Security reserves the right to deny entry or remove from the premises anyone not behaving or dressed appropriately.
Yes. The lactation rooms at United Nations Headquarters provide nursing parents with a quiet, private and comfortable space to collect and express milk. The rooms are easily identifiable through clear signage placed outside the designated rooms. They are well lit and have handwashing facilities and necessary supplies such as a liquid soap dispenser, hand sanitizer, cold storage, a microwave, a diaper changer and paper towels. The rooms also come equipped with comfortable chairs and an ottoman, a full-sized mirror, children’s story books, pillows and a music player to play ambient music.
Location:
General Assembly Building
Public Visitors Area: GA-1BMED1 and GA-1BMED2