DOS Security Opinion Required for Pakistani Nuclear Scientists
Posted Jun 20, 1999

Consular Officers must now obtain an opinion from the Department of State before deciding to issue a visa to a Pakistani national "whose activities in the United States may support Pakistan's nuclear program."

Particularly of concern to the U.S. government are persons who: a) intend to acquire technology or materials for Pakistan's nuclear program, to undergo training or studies in support of that program, or who are known to be active participants in that program; b) have an affiliation with or receive funding from the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), the Khan Research Laboratory or other organizations known to be connected with Pakistan's nuclear weapons program, and intend to study a course in any related field; c) are interested in specialized study in nuclear engineering or the nuclear fuel cycle, or; d) plan to visit a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory, except as part of an IAEA (International Atomic Energy Association) course or medical or agricultural program.

With the recent publicity in the U.S. news media about foreign scientists in DOE laboratories being accused of espionage, the Law Office of Sheela Murthy cautions that a visa applicant with a background in nuclear science or a related field may have difficulty in obtaining a visa to the U.S., even if the visa applicant has no connection with any nuclear program or even if the purpose of the visit to the U.S. is not among the situations described above.