> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.essal.cloud/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # What Are Guest Badges? {/* category: Guest Badges */} Guest Badges are temporary, QR-code-based passes you can create for visitors, contractors, event attendees, delivery personnel, or anyone else who needs short-term access to your facility — without requiring them to have an employee account. Guest Badges list showing visitor passes with their status and validity period *** ## How Guest Badges Work When you create a Guest Badge, Essal Access generates a unique, shareable link in the format: ``` https://idpage.link/guest/{token} ``` This link (and its embedded QR code) can be: * **Emailed** directly to the guest at the time of creation — Essal sends the invite automatically * **Copied and shared** manually via any channel (SMS, WhatsApp, printed email, etc.) * **Scanned at the entrance** by a security guard using any QR reader or check-in device No app, account, or login is required for the guest to use the badge. *** ## What Makes Guest Badges Different from Employee Badges | Feature | Employee Badge | Guest Badge | | ----------------------------------- | -------------- | ----------------------- | | Requires an employee profile | ✓ | ✗ | | Uses a custom badge design template | ✓ | ✗ | | Has a validity period | ✗ (permanent) | ✓ (defined at creation) | | Can be revoked manually | ✗ | ✓ | | Public link for verification | ✗ | ✓ | | Sent by email invite | ✗ | ✓ | *** ## When to Use Guest Badges * **Site visits** — external clients, partners, or inspectors visiting the premises * **Interviews** — job candidates arriving for on-site interviews * **Meetings** — attendees for scheduled in-person meetings * **Deliveries** — couriers or logistics personnel who need temporary access * **Events** — participants at a conference, open day, or training session * **Contractors** — short-term workers who don't need full employee accounts *** ## Key Concepts * **Validity window** — each badge has a `valid from` and `valid until` timestamp. Guards can see this on the scanned page. * **Access zones** — if your organization has defined access zones, you can specify which areas a guest is permitted to enter. * **Automatic expiry** — badges past their `valid until` time automatically show as **Expired** without any manual action. * **Revocation** — an admin can manually revoke a badge at any time, instantly invalidating it even if the validity window hasn't ended.