Technology Alert List Screening Includes Indian Nationals
Posted Apr 04, 2003

In this era of increased security screening, nationals of India, China, Israel, Pakistan, and Russia, applying for nonimmigrant visas, have another significant area of concern. These countries are considered to possess nuclear capability that is of concern to U.S. national security. Accordingly, nationals of these five countries who are seeking entry to the U.S. for business or academic purposes or pursuits listed on the Technology Alert List (TAL) will be subject to an increased form of background screening, known as a "Visas Mantis" cable. The purpose is to identify illegal technology transfers involving certain "sensitive technologies."

Anyone planning to apply for a student or other nonimmigrant visa to enter the U.S. should keep this additional security process in mind. If one's field of work or study potentially fits within the TAL list, there may be an extended wait for visa processing. Given deadlines for starting or returning to work or school, this can be highly problematic for an applicant. It is always best to apply at the earliest opportunity. If one is in the U.S. and foreign travel can be avoided, it may be best to forego travel during this uncertain time.

The TAL consists of sixteen sensitive technologies, listed below. As evident from the list, some of the categories are quite broad and encompass work of a purely non-threatening nature. Additionally, those who work or study in a "closely" related field or one that is categorized as "dual use" may also be subjected to increased processing procedures and delays. The consular officers will determine whether the person's work or school activities fit within the regulated fields.

The sensitive areas constituting the Technology Alert List are:

(1) Conventional Munitions : technologies associated with warhead and large caliber projectiles, fusing, and arming systems;

(2) Nuclear Technology : technologies associated with the production and use of nuclear material for military applications;

(3) Missile / Missile Technology : technologies associated with air vehicles and unmanned missile systems;

(4) Aircraft and Missile Propulsion and Vehicular Systems : technologies associated with liquid and solid rocket propulsion systems, missile propulsion, rocket staging / separation mechanisms, and aerospace thermal and high performance structures;

(5) Navigation and Guidance Control : technologies associated with the delivery and accuracy of unguided and guided weapons, such as tracking and homing devices; internal navigation systems, and vehicle and flight control systems;

(6) Chemical and Biotechnology Engineering : technologies associated with the development or production of biological and toxin agents, pathogenics, and biological weapons research;

(7) Remote Imaging and Reconnaissance : technologies associated with military reconnaissance efforts, such as drones, remotely piloted or unmanned vehicles, imagery systems, and high resolution cameras;

(8) Advanced Computer and Microelectronic Technology : technologies associated with superconductivity, supercomputing, and microcomputer compensated crystal oscillators;

(9) Materials Technology : technologies related to the production of composite materials for structural functions in aircraft, spacecraft, undersea vehicles, and missiles;

(10) Information Security : technologies associated with cryptographic systems to ensure secrecy of communications;

(11) Lasers and Directed Energy Systems : technologies associated with laser-guided bombs, ranging devices, and countering missiles;

(12) Sensors : technology associated with marine acoustics, missile-launch calibration, night vision devices, and high-speed photographic equipment;

(13) Marine Technology : technology associated with submarines and deep submersible vessels, marine propulsion systems designed for undersea use and navigation, radar, and acoustic / non-acoustic detection;

(14) Robotics : technologies associated with artificial intelligence and computer-controlled machine tools;

(15) Advanced Ceramics : technologies related to the Production of tanks, military vehicles, and weapons systems;

(16) High Performance Metals and Alloys : technologies associated with military applications.