Visa Restrictions after 911 for students

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, heightened
security concerns have led to more intense security for visa
applicants, many times resulting in delay or denial.

Especially for international students and research scholars, the
situation has become more complicated mainly due to an
increased attention to the Technology Alert List or TAL which is
a list of technologies that may be put to dangerous use, or are
otherwise sensitive. Many areas in Aeronautics, Chemical
Engineering and Biotechnology have been included in that list.

Currently Visa delays usually take about 2 months and outright
denials are also done quite often. All these are of course needed
to ensure the safety of citizens but for US universities which
depend largely on international collaboration and availability of
bright young students from abroad, this turned out to be a big
problem.