Hosts with Guest Types

Design visitor workflows that involve employees

Configure Guest Types with Hosts

1

In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Workplace > Guest.

2

On the left navigation, click Guest Settings.

3

Under Sites > Guest Types, click Manage Guest Types.

4

Select a Guest Type or create a new one.

5

Click and select Choose Host.

Configure the Choose Host step

Guest Types can include the Choose Host step to associate hosts with visitors. This step supports the following configurations:

Host Assignment

• Ask visitor to choose: The visitor selects their host during check-in.

• Assign automatically: One or more hosts are automatically assigned without visitor input.

Default Hosts

Defines which host(s) are assigned based on the selected Host Assignment setting:

• If assigning automatically: Default Hosts are the hosts automatically assigned to the visitor.

• If visitor selects a host: Default Hosts are assigned only if the visitor selects I don’t know my host. This setting is optional in this mode.

Available Default Host options:

• No Default Host: No fallback host is assigned.

• Site Default Hosts: Uses the Site Default Hosts, if configured.

• Choose Host: Manually select one or more site-specific hosts to act as the default for this Guest Type.

(Optional) Require Host Approval to Check In

Enable this option to require host approval before a visitor can check in. Hosts receive approval requests through their preferred notification channel (email, SMS, Slack, or Microsoft Teams).

	No default hosts configured	Default hosts configured
Ask Guest to select	Visitor must select a host. If Host Approval is enabled, the selected host must approve the visitor.	Visitor can select a host or select I don’t know my host. If Host Approval is enabled, the selected host or one of the default hosts must approve the visitor.
Assign Host Automatically	NA	Visitor is not asked to select a host. If Host Approval is enabled, one of the default hosts must approve the visitor.

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Host notifications for walk-in visitors

Hosts are notified in the following scenarios:

• A visit requires host approval

• A hosted visitor is granted entry

• A hosted visitor signs out

Notifications include the visitor’s name, photo, and—optionally—responses to configured questions.

If a Wi-Fi integration is enabled, the notification may also include guest Wi-Fi access details. Learn more about Wi-Fi integrations.

Include visitor responses in notifications

You can configure Guest Types to include a visitor’s response to specific questions in host notifications.

Supported step types:

• Multiple Choice question

• Open Response question

Hosts will see their guests’ responses in all communication mediums.

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Host Approval

If Host Approval is enabled for the Host step, one or more hosts may be prompted to approve the visitor. Approval requests are sent via SMS, email, Slack, or Microsoft Teams.

Hosts have one hour to approve or reject the visitor. After this window, the request expires and cannot be updated.

A Workplace Site Viewer can manually allow entry from the Guest Home page if the visitor is still waiting for host approval.

Host Approval does not apply to attendees for Guest Events.

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FAQ

Can I use the Choose Host step with Global Guest Types?

Yes, the Choose Host step can be used with Global Guest Types. Global Guest Types can be assigned to one or more sites, and each site may have its own host list. When a visitor signs in using a Global Guest Type, the Choose Host step will reference the host list specific to the site where the sign-in is taking place.

How long does a host have to approve a visitor?

When Host Approval is enabled, hosts have 1 hour after a visitor sign-ins to either approve or deny the visitor. After 1 hour, the visitor’s status will be: sign-in expired. A Workplace Site Viewer will be able to allow entry to that visitor.

Can School Guest Types use the Choose Host step?

No, School Guest Types cannot use the Choose Host step.

Need more help? Contact Verkada Support.