The Department of State (DOS) has announced that visa applicants selected for a Mantis/TAL security check clearance, will receive extended validity periods.  The Mantis program was established in 1998 to prevent scientists from illegally transferring sensitive technology from the United States to other parts of the world.  For a list of fields which may trigger a TAL security check, please see http://foia.state.gov/masterdocs/09fam/0940031X1.pdf. Please note that this is an outdated list and the most recent TAL list is classified and unavailable to the public.  Fields not listed on the TAL list may also trigger a Mantis/TAL security check.  The extensions will apply to TAL/Mantis clearances for nonimmigrant visa applicants in the H (temporary worker), L (intracompany transferee), F (student), J (exchange visitor), and B (business and tourist visitor) categories.

This policy change will make it easier for students and scientists who have been subjected to TAL/Mantis checks to complete their work, by extending the validity period of their clearance by up to 4 years for students in F-1 or J-1 status, and up to 2 years for scientists in J-1, L-1 or H-1B status.  In addition, business and tourist visitors in the B-1 and B-2 visa categories are eligible to receive Mantis clearances valid for one year, provided that the original purpose of their travel, as stated in the visa application, has not changed on subsequent trips.  This means that if the original visa stamp has expired and a new visa stamp application is filed to return to the previous study or work program in the United States, another Visas Mantis clearance may not be required.  The clearance will cease to be valid, however if the nature of the foreign national's activity (e.g., research, academic program, business or tourist purpose) in the United States substantially changes.  Consular officers retain the discretion, if warranted, to request a Visas Mantis clearance during any visa adjudication. 

This DOS announcement effectively removes the requirement that individuals subject to Mantis clearances have to reapply each year.  The State Department has also taken other steps to make the Visas Mantis security process faster and estimates that the extension will reduce the number of security clearances required under the Mantis program by 50%.

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