H.R. 1905, Sec. 501 is a federal law concerning international faculty, scholars, and students seeking US visas who:
- have citizenship or residence in a country designated as a “state sponsors of terrorism” (Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Syria);
- may be involved in technology transfer-particularly for citizens from countries considered to possess nuclear capability (China, India, Israel, Pakistan, and Russia);
- may have their name (or part of a name) on a US government watch list, or
- may be engaging in activities designated on or related to the Technology Alert List (TAL).
The TAL was created by the US federal government in 2000 as a guideline for consular officials to use in performing a security check while reviewing visa applications. The purpose of these checks is to protect national security by preventing the export of “goods, technology, or sensitive information” through activities such as “graduate level studies, teaching, conducting research, participating in exchange programs, receiving training or employment, or engaging in commercial transactions,” and to protect the US from visitors who may wish to cause harm.
The Office for Research Protections and Compliance can help determine what export control regulations apply to the fields of study or research for a current or prospective student or scholar. The ORPC will review the research appears on the U.S. Munitions List (ITAR) or is identified under one of the nine Categories in the Commerce Control List (EAR). Please contact the ORPC at 410-455-2737 or compliance@umbc.edu.
Due to heightened concern for national security, international faculty, scholars, and students seeking U.S. visas often encounter lengthy delays due to the imposition of additional security clearances related to the TAL. The purpose of this is to protect national security by preventing the export of “goods, technology, or sensitive information” through activities such as “graduate-level studies, teaching, conducting research, participating in exchange programs, receiving training or employment, or engaging in commercial transactions.”
Students or scholars who apply for a visa when the research area fall within certain fields designated on or related to the TAL including chemical engineering, materials technology, information security, robotics, remote sensing and imaging technology, advance computer /microelectronic technology, sensors and sensor technology, lasers and directed energy systems technology, and urban planning (including architecture, design and civil engineering) may require additional scrutiny by the Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security. The process may take 30 to 45 days to complete. Foreign persons may be denied a visa if their proposed activity is subject to US technology transfer laws. General TAL information can be found via a Department of State listing (last updated August 2002) via the Boston University International Students & Scholars Office at https://www.bu.edu/isso/files/pdf/tal.pdf.