Grant Temporary Intercom Access with Visit Keys
Learn how to create, manage and send Visit Keys
You can grant temporary access to visitors using Visit Keys to allow secure, time-limited entry through intercom doors without requiring a call.
Visitors are temporary access users that administrators can invite, provision with credentials, and automatically deprovision. They are commonly used for contractors, delivery drivers, vendors, interviewees, and other short-term guests.
Visit Keys are a form of visitor access used specifically for intercoms. Administrators can send them via email, text, or web link to provide one-time or recurring access for visitors.
Visitors can access both intercom doors and standard access control doors. This article focuses only on intercom visitor access. See Visitor Access for more information on access control.
Prerequisites
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 intercom Visit Keys.
See Roles and Permissions for Command for more information.
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
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; enter the code followed by # (for example, 1234#)
Web unlock – Unlock doors directly from a mobile phone
License plate – Use LPR cameras tied to the intercom for automated unlocks
Keycard – Use keycards on access/intercom readers
Create a Visit Key
Enable Visit Keys
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Intercom.
In the left navigation, select Visitor Access.
At the top, click Intercoms > Add Intercoms.
Select the intercoms you want to enable for Visit Key access.
Click Apply.
Create a Visit Key
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Intercom.
In the left navigation, select Visitor Access > Visits.
In the top right, click Create Visit > Intercom door access.
On Describe Visit:
This step is optional. If a visitor is not added to a visit, the Visit Key is still created, but must be manually shared with the visitor to grant temporary door access. Visitor movement in the building will not be accurately logged without their information present.
Search for or create a new visitor.
You must enter a First Name and Email when creating a visitor.
Enter a unique visit name.
Click Next.
A visitor can have only one active visit at a time. If the entered email or phone matches an existing active visit, you'll be prompted to either end the previous visit or cancel the new one.
On Select Intercoms:
Select the intercoms to add to the visit.
Click Next.
On Timeframe:
Choose Multi-use Visit Key or Single-use Visit Key.
Set the Start and End times.
(Optional) If the start and end times span different calendar days, the Restrictions option appears. In the Restrictions menu, select the days of the week and set the daily active time range for the key.
Click Next.
On Select Credentials:
Manage the credentials that will be sent to the user.
Click Next.
If the visitor's email or phone matches an existing permanent user, Verkada will not issue a new keycard, Face Unlock credential, or license plate for this visit. The permanent user must use their existing credentials. Entry codes, QR codes, and web unlock links are still issued and delivered to the user by email. See Credential delivery for more information.
On Prepare Visit Key:
Confirm the visitor's contact information.
(Optional) Add a welcome message.
Click Create Visit.
The visit is automatically started the first time any of their credentials is accepted at a door.
Review the FAQ for common questions about adding a Visit Key contact.
Manage Visit Keys
View visit details
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Intercom.
In the left navigation, select Visitor Access > Visits.
Each Visit Key appears as a row in a table. When you select a visit, you can view the following information:
Details
Doors: Displays the doors the visitor can access
Timeframe: Shows when the Visit Key is active
About: Shows when the Visit Key was created and who created or last modified it
Visit Key
Credentials: Displays the credentials provisioned for the visitor
Welcome Message: Shows the configured welcome message for the visitor
Preview Visit Key: Provides a preview of the Visit Key
Events:
Access event history tied to the Visit Key
Visitors can appear in active roll call reports for the sites associated with their visit access template. They become valid for the roll call report upon first badge in and are removed when the visit ends. See Roll Call Reports for more information.
Edit Visit Keys
You can only edit visits in the Awaiting arrival state.
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Intercom.
In the left navigation, select Visitor Access > Visits.
Select a visit from the list in the Awaiting arrival state.
Click Edit next to sections on the Details and Visit Keys tabs to manage the configuration.
End a visit
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Intercom.
In the left navigation, click Visitor Access > Visits.
Select a visit from the list.
In the bottom right, click Delete > Delete Visit.
All credentials issued for the visit immediately stop working, and the visitor is notified via email or SMS.
Credential delivery
The visit access template controls which credential types can be issued. Verkada supports the following options:
Credential
Delivery
Notes
Keycard
Picked up at the front desk
Add manually or via the scan-to-add modal
Entry Code
Email and Visit Key webpage
Enter the code on a keypad reader followed by # (for example, 1234#)
QR Code
Email and Visit Key webpage
Can be added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet
Web Unlock
Email and Visit Key webpage
Single-tap door unlock from the visitor's browser
Face Unlock
Email link for self-enrollment
Face credential is deleted at the end of the visit
License Plate
Manual entry in the visit form
Requires an LPR camera at the door
FAQ
Are Visitors a type of access user?
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 re-entering 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.
Prefer to see it in action? Check out the video tutorial.
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