Export Controls Requirements for H, L and O visa applicants

Effective February 20, 2011, USCIS introduced a new data collection requirement for certain categories of H, L, and O visas, requiring petitioners to make a certification regarding the release of controlled technology or technical data subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to foreign persons in the United States. The majority of dual-use items exported do not require a license from the U.S. Government. However, items going to a sanctioned country and certain sensitive goods and technologies destined for a range of countries may require a license to be exported. See the overview of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman’s Office teleconference on the topic.