Dr. William:

What are the recent changes for the student visa application and clearance process by U.S. Department of State? and how could it affect a F-1 student studying in a scientific field in U.S.?

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A: The Visa Mantis clearance program has been used for persons to apply for visa to study or work in certain sensitive scientific and technical fields in U.S. since 1998. It is designed to screen against the illegal transfer of technology. The delay and repeated requirement for the Visa Mantis clearance for these science-related students and scientists has caused visa backlogs. 

The U.S. Department of State has recently extended the validity of Visas Mantis clearances for the F, J, H, L, and B visas. This means that if the original visa has expired and a new visa application is filed to return to the previous study or work program in the United States, another Visa Mantis clearance may not be required.