TAL (Technology Alert List): what it is
Updated: Author: Alina Kanametova
TAL: definition
Key answer
Specialists in computing, biotech, chemistry, robotics, AI and machine learning, cybersecurity and nuclear physics most often draw extra scrutiny. A STEM PhD in a TAL topic can raise the likelihood of a check. Once assigned, the check cannot be avoided; it can also happen outside TAL.
Even after a successful check the visa is often limited to one year, and renewals are generally not issued remotely. What to do: compare your specialty against categories A-O in advance, prepare documents on past employers, build in time and do not plan travel tightly.
TAL: what to do - tools
TAL: read next
TAL: documents and templates from the library
TAL: from community discussions
«That's what I did. My cofounder is my nephew and of course he couldn't care less what I do. You can be/live anywhere and register a company here. And yes, that's the whole catch, your cofounder has to have the ability to fire you, otherwise your position is sort of not genuinely an employee one.»
community member · from public community chats
«You need a petitioner. That's not you) Either it's a cofounder with more than a 50% stake in the company, or any other person from your field with US citizenship, if you have letters from employers.»
Ekaterina · from public community chats
«I'm a founder, and my company was the petitioner on an approved O1. Now we're preparing an EB2 NIW case, all good. I interviewed 7 lawyers - all said EB1A and EB2 NIW are fine for founders.»
community member · from public community chats
Personal opinions of community members from public discussions, not legal advice.
TAL: related terms
A reference definition, not legal advice. Requirements and procedures depend on your case - verify on uscis.gov.
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