Notice2021-17332
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-160, Online Application for Nonimmigrant Visa and DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 13, 2021
Issuing agencies
State Department
Abstract
The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collections described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 154 (Friday, August 13, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 154 (Friday, August 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44766-44767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17332]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 11492]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-160, Online
Application for Nonimmigrant Visa and DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa
Application
ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collections described below.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are
requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals
and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for
public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to
October 12, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Web: Persons with access to the internet may comment on
this notice by going to <a href="http://www.Regulations.gov">www.Regulations.gov</a>. You can search for the
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2021-0023'' in the Search
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment
form.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: D. Aikens at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#633331223c21161107060d200c0e0e060d17102310170217064d040c15"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6e6e4f7e9f4c3c4d2d3d8f5d9dbdbd3d8c2c5f6c5c2d7c2d398d1d9c0">[email protected]</span></a> or over telephone at (202)-485-7586.
[[Page 44767]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
<bullet> Title of Information Collection: Electronic Application for
Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration
<bullet> OMB Control Number: 1405-0182
<bullet> Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection
<bullet> Originating Office: CA/VO
<bullet> Form Number: DS-160, DS-156
<bullet> Respondents: Immigrant Visa Applicants
<bullet> Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,190,367
<bullet> Estimated Number of Responses: 5,190,367
<bullet> Average Time per Response: 90 minutes
<bullet> Total Estimated Burden Time: 7,785,550.5 hours
<bullet> Frequency: Once per respondent's application
<bullet> Obligation to respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
<bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
<bullet> Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost
burden of this proposed collection, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used.
<bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected.
<bullet> Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond,
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your
personal information, will be available for public review.
Abstract of Proposed Collection
The DS-160 and DS-156 collect biographical information from
individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa. The consular officer uses the
information collected to elicit information necessary to determine an
applicant's eligibility for a visa. Most nonimmigrant visa applicants,
as well as certain authorized parole applicants use the DS-160, however
posts may authorize an applicant to use the paper-based DS-156 in
limited circumstances as outlined below.
Methodology
The applicant submits the DS-160 electronically over an encrypted
connection to the Department via the internet. The applicant will be
instructed to print a confirmation page containing a bar coded record
locator, which the consular office will use to locate the application
during processing.
The DS-156 is a paper-based version of the DS-160. In order to
obtain a copy of the DS-156, an applicant must contact the Embassy or
consulate at which he or she is applying and request a copy. A consular
officer may allow an applicant to submit the DS-156 in the following
limited circumstances when applicants cannot access the DS-160:
<bullet> An applicant has an urgent medical or humanitarian travel
need and the consular officer has received explicit permission from the
Visa Office to accept form DS-156;
<bullet> The applicant is a student exchange visitor who must leave
immediately in order to arrive on time for his/her course and the
consular officer has explicit permission from the Visa Office to accept
form DS-156;
<bullet> The applicant is a diplomatic or official traveler with
urgent government business and form DS-160 has been unavailable for
more than four hours; or
<bullet> Form DS-160 has been unavailable for more than three days
and the officer receives explicit permission from the Visa Office.
The DS-160 is also used in limited circumstances to process certain
parole applicants. When a humanitarian or significant public benefit
parole request is authorized by USCIS, the applicants are required to
complete the DS-160 and appear for an appointment with the Department
of State consular section to verify their identity and collect
biometrics for additional security vetting. If no new derogatory
information or new identity information is identified during vetting
that would cause USCIS to rescind parole approval, the U. S. Consulate
issues a document referred to as a boarding foil that allows the
beneficiary to travel to the United States within 30 days of it being
issued. A final determination on whether to parole an applicant into
the United States is then made by CBP at the port of entry.
Kevin E. Bryant,
Deputy Director, Office of Directives Management, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2021-17332 Filed 8-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.