# Grant Temporary Access with Visit Keys

A Visit Key is a temporary, shareable credential that allows guests to unlock an intercom door without placing a call. These secure, time-limited keys can be sent via email, text, or web link to provide one-time or recurring access for visitors such as delivery drivers, vendors, or interviewees.

***

## Prerequsites

### Permissions

* You need **Org Admin** or **Site Admin** permissions to enable Visit Keys on an intercom.
* You need **Site Admin** or **Receiver** permissions for a site with Visit Key–enabled intercoms to create and view Visit Keys.

{% hint style="warning" %}
See [Roles and Permissions for Intercom](https://help.verkada.com/fr/articles/4148648-vue-d-ensemble-des-autorisations-utilisateur) for more information.
{% endhint %}

### Device compatibility

Visit Keys are supported on:

* Intercoms configured as standalone single-door access controllers
* Intercoms paired with an access controller

They are **not supported** on:

* Intercoms configured in **Third-Party Door Mode**
* Non-intercom doors

### Credential types

A Visit Key can include one or more of the following credentials:

* **QR code** – Scan on intercom cameras
* **PIN code** – Use on TD63 PIN pads
* **Web unlock** – Unlock doors directly from a mobile phone
* **License plate** – Use LPR cameras tied to the intercom for automated unlocks

***

## Create a Visit Key

### Enable Visit Keys

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### In Verkada Command, go to **All Products** > **Intercom**.

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### In the left navigation, select **Visit Key.**

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Click **Add Intercoms**, then select the Intercoms you want to enable for Visit Key access.

{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Make and send a Visit Key

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### In Verkada Command, go to **All Products** > **Intercom**.

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### In the left navigation, select **Visit Key > Visits.**

a. In the top right, click **Create.**\
b. Select the intercom(s) for the Visit Key and click **Next**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### On **Select Schedule:**

a. Choose one of the following:

* **Multi Use:** Enables persistent use of the Visit Key for the entire specified duration.
* **One-Time Use:** The Visit Key expires 5 minutes after its first use.

d. Configure the duration of the key.\
e. (Optional) In the **Restrictions Menu**, select the days of the week and daily time range during which the key is active.**Note:** The **Restrictions Menu** only appears if the duration is set for more than one day.\
f. Click **Next.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### On **Select Credentials:**

a. Select the credentials to attach to the Visit Key.\
b. Click **Next**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### On **Name Visit Key**:

a. Enter a unique name.\
b. (Optional) Enter a welcome message or instructions.\
c. Click **Next.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### On **Add Contact Info:**

Choose one of the following options:

* **Create New Visitor:**

  a. Enter contact information for a new visitor.\
  b. Configure when to send the Visit Key.\
  c. Click **Create and Send**.

  **Note:** Credentials tied to the Visit Key are hidden except to the invitee.
* **Select Existing Visitor:**

  a. Choose an existing visitor.\
  b. Configure when to send the Visit Key.\
  c. Click **Create and Send**.

  **Note:** Credentials tied to the Visit Key are hidden except to the invitee.
* **Skip creating/selecting a visitor:**

  a. Click **Create**\
  b. then **Copy Link**.\
  c. Click **Done**.

  **Note:** Credentials tied to the Visit Key are displayed in plaintext in the [**Preview**](#h_cb56b77136) section of the visit.
  {% endstep %}
  {% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Review the [FAQs](#h_4bae6f8cb2) for common questions about adding a Visit Key contact.
{% endhint %}

***

## Manage Visit Keys

### View Existing Visit Keys

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### In Verkada Command, go to **All Products** > **Intercom**.

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### In the left navigation, select **Visit Key > Visits.**

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Each Visit Key is displayed as a row in a table with the following columns:

* **Name:** The name of the Visit Key.
* **Status:** The current state of the Visit Key.
  * **Active:** Displays the upcoming expiration date.
  * **Scheduled to be active in the future:** Displays the date when the key will activate.
  * **Expired:** Displays the expiration date.
* **Intercoms:** The intercoms assigned to the Visit Key.
* **Last Used:** The last time the Visit Key was used to unlock an intercom door.
* **Last Updated:** The last time the Visit Key’s parameters were modified.
* **Updated By:** The Command user who last edited the Visit Key.
  {% endstep %}
  {% endstepper %}

### Duplicate Visit Keys

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### In Verkada Command, go to **All Products** > **Intercom**.

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### In the left navigation, select **Visit Key > Visits.**

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Locate the row for the Visit Key you want to duplicate.

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### On the right, click <i class="fa-ellipsis">:ellipsis:</i>.

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select **Duplicate**.

{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Edit Visit Keys

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### In Verkada Command, go to **All Products** > **Intercom**.

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### In the left navigation, select **Visit Key > Visits.**

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Click the row for the Visit Key you want to edit.

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### From the pop-up window on the right, select one of the following headers:

* **Preview:** Shows a preview of the invite the visitor will receive.
* **Events:** Displays all access events generated by the Visit Key, along with associated intercom video.
* **Manage:** Contains all the configurable fields from the original Visit Key setup, where you can:
  * Revoke the key
  * Edit the Visit Key name or welcome message
  * Add or remove intercoms
  * Edit the timeframe during which the Visit Key is valid
  * Edit the visitor tied to the Visit Key
    {% endstep %}
    {% endstepper %}

***

## FAQ

<details>

<summary>Are Visitors a type of access user?</summary>

Yes, a Visitor is a type of access user. When you create a new visitor during Visit Key setup, the system automatically generates a corresponding access user tagged as a Visitor. These records persist, allowing you to issue future Visit Keys to the same person without having to re-enter their information. Because each visitor functions as an access user, all access events tied to their Visit Keys can be audited and traced back to that individual.

**View Visitors**

In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access.In the left navigation, click Access Users and Groups.In the search bar, filter for Visitors.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What happens if I do not create or select a visitor during the Add Contact Info step?</summary>

If you skip adding or linking a visitor when creating a Visit Key, several important things occur:

No access user or contact information is tied to the Visit Key, so it is not automatically sent by email or text. You must distribute it manually.The system still creates a Visitor access user, but it is populated with dummy data. As a result, access events are attributed to that dummy user instead of the real visitor, which reduces audit accuracy.Credentials for the Visit Key appear in plaintext in the preview section.

If you link a visitor, the credentials are hidden from all Command users, even those who can view the Visit Key.

***

**Why are credentials hidden when a Visit Key is linked to a visitor?**

When a Visit Key is tied to a real visitor access user, that user may also have access to other doors beyond those specified in the Visit Key. Exposing the credential could allow another Command user, such as a Site Admin with limited door permissions, to use it to access areas they should not.

To prevent misuse, credentials for Visit Keys associated with real visitors are hidden.

{% hint style="info" %}
Always create or link a visitor when sending a Visit Key. This protects sensitive credentials and ensures audit accuracy. **If you skip this step, you are responsible for securely managing and distributing the credentials.**
{% endhint %}

</details>

<details>

<summary>What happens if I invite an internal user?</summary>

If you try to send a Visit Key to an existing access user who is not tagged as a visitor, the Visit Key will fail to send.

Visit Keys can only be issued to email addresses that are:

* Not already in the system, or
* Already associated with a Visitor Access User.

</details>

***

{% hint style="success" %}
**Need more help?** Contact [Verkada Support](https://verkada-1.gitbook.io/verkada-docs/command/need-help/contact-verkada-support).
{% endhint %}
