83 FR 13806 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 62 (March 30, 2018)

The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection 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.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13806-13807]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06490]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 10261]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for 
Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration

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 collection 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 May 
29, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Web: Persons with access to the internet may comment on 
this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the 
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2018-0003'' in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.
     Email: [email protected].
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Electronic Application 
for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0185.
     Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa 
Office (CA/VO/L/R).
     Form Number: DS-260.
     Respondents: Immigrant Visa Applicants.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 710,000.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 710,000.
     Average Time per Response: 155 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 1,834,167 Annual Hours.
     Frequency: Once per application.
     Obligation To Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a 
Benefit.
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost 
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     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 Electronic Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien 
Registration (DS-260) is used to collect biographical information from 
individuals seeking an immigrant visa. The consular officer uses the 
information collected to elicit information necessary to determine an 
applicant's eligibility for a visa.

Methodology

    The DS-260 will be submitted 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 will be scanned at the time of processing.

Additional Information

    The Department is revising the collection to add several additional 
questions for immigrant visa applicants. One question lists multiple 
social media platforms and requires the applicant to provide any 
identifiers used by applicants for those platforms during the five 
years preceding the date of application. The platforms listed may be 
updated by the Department by adding or removing platforms. Additional 
platforms will be added only if collection is consistent with the uses 
described in the Supporting Statement and after Office of Management 
and Budget approval. In addition, the applicant will be given the 
option to provide information about any social media identifiers 
associated with any platforms other than those that are listed that the 
applicant has used in the last five years. The Department will collect 
this information for identity resolution and vetting purposes based on 
statutory visa eligibility standards. Other questions seek five years 
of previously used telephone numbers, email addresses, and 
international travel; all prior immigration violations; and whether 
specified family members have been involved in terrorist activities. 
The ``Sign and Submit'' statement will provide applicants information 
related to correcting records within Federal Bureau of Investigation 
databases and additional information regarding the immigrant visa 
medical examination. Applicants from countries where female genital 
mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is prevalent will be provided a link in the 
DS-260 to an electronic pamphlet that covers the illegality of the 
practice in the United States. Further, applicants will be required to 
check a box verifying

[[Page 13807]]

that the link was provided to them. Finally, the revised visa 
application forms will include additional information regarding the 
visa medical examination that some applicants may be required to 
undergo. Additional details of the changes are available in supporting 
documents.

Carl C. Risch,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2018-06490 Filed 3-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-06-P