Foreign Visits

As part of its mission to increase research collaborations between universities, industry and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), New Mexico Consortium (NMC) strives to maintain a diverse and vibrant research community that welcomes foreign researchers and encourages international collaborations for the general advancement of human knowledge.

The NMC also recognizes that the United States government has a legitimate national security interest in limiting the proliferation of certain technologies and the dissemination of technical data relating to those technologies.

The U.S. government maintains several lists of foreign entities and individuals that are forbidden access to certain materials and data of US origin. The reasons for these prohibitions can vary but are generally due to national security concerns. NMC hosts foreign visitors on premises for many reasons. For visitors that have the potential to access sensitive scientific information, the Office of Research Administration will verify that neither the visitor, nor their affiliated institution are on any of the lists. If the visitor is on a list, the ORA will work with the hosting researcher to determine whether it is still possible to allow the visit and maintain compliance with US export laws.

WHEN TO REQUEST FOREIGN VISITOR SCREENING

The foreign visitor screening process must be completed before:

• sending an invitation
• requesting an offer letter
• visa application

FOREIGN VISITORS WHO DO NOT REQUIRE SCREENING

• Students who are enrolled in any degree granting program offered by a US university, and their work at NMC is part of the degree program allowed by the student’s visa (listed in his/her DS Form 2019);
• Foreign visitors who provide documentation they hold permanent resident alien status in the U.S. (i.e., hold a green card) or have been granted asylum or refugee status by the U.S.

FOREIGN VISITORS WHO MUST BE SCREENED

• Visitors who are nationals/citizens of Iran, Sudan, Syria, Cuba or North Korea must undergo foreign entity screening regardless of length of stay and regardless of the activity in which they will be participating at NMC.
• All other foreign visitors, regardless of length of stay, who will collaborate or participate in NMC research or training in the biological or physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, information security (including encryption), software development, or related technologies and fields, whether or not the collaboration occurs within the scope of a sponsored research agreement, must also undergo screening.

HOW TO INITIATE A FOREIGN VISIT REQUEST

Submit a signed Foreign Visitor Request Form to the Office of Research Administration for review and approval.

Please allow a 5 workday turnaround time for processing. Additional time may be required if there is an issue with the individual or entity being screened.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Office of Research Administration for help.