83 FR 43951 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for Nonimmigrant Visa
DEPARTMENT OF STATE Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 167 (August 28, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 167 (August 28, 2018)
| Page Range | 43951-43952 | |
| FR Document | 2018-18594 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 28, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 43951-43952] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-18594] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 10503] 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for Nonimmigrant Visa ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of proposed collection of information. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the information collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. 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 30 days for public comment. DATES: Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) up to September 27, 2018. ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by the following methods:Email: [email protected]. You must include the DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control number in the subject line of your message. Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department of State. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Information Collection: Application for Nonimmigrant Visa. OMB Control Number: 1405-0182. Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection. Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa Office (CA/VO). Form Number: DS-160 and DS-156. Respondents: All Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants. Estimated Number of Respondents: 14,000,000. Estimated Number of Responses: 14,000,000. Average Time per Response: 90 Minutes. Total Estimated Burden Time: 21,000,000 Annual Hours. Frequency: Once per respondent's 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 Online Application for Nonimmigrant Visa (DS-160) is used to collect biographical information from individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa. The consular officer uses the information collected to determine the applicant's eligibility for a visa. Form DS-156 is required by regulation of all nonimmigrant visa applicants who do not use the Online Application for Nonimmigrant Visa (Form DS-160). Posts will use the DS-156 in limited circumstances when the DS-160 is unavailable, as outlined below, to elicit information necessary to determine an applicant's visa eligibility. Methodology The DS-160 will be submitted electronically over industry standard encryption technology to maintain a secure 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. The Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-156) paper version will be used only in the following limited circumstances when applicants cannot access the DS-160: 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; 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; 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 Form DS-160 has been unavailable for more than three days and the officer receives explicit permission from the Visa Office. In order to obtain a copy of form DS-156, an applicant must contact the Embassy or consulate at which he or she is applying, and request a copy. Additional Information This collection is being revised to include both nonimmigrant visa application methods: The online version (form DS-160) which is used by the vast majority of applications, and the paper version (form DS-156) which is used in limited circumstances. Currently, the online application and paper application are approved under two separate collections. With this renewal, the Department seeks to combine these into a single collection. Upon approval, the Department will seek to discontinue OMB Control Number 1405-0018, the existing collection for form DS-156. The Department also is revising the collection to add several additional questions for most nonimmigrant 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 from visa applicants for [[Page 43952]] identity resolution and vetting purposes based on statutory visa eligibility standards; however, the Department does not intend to routinely require applicants for specific visa classifications, such as most diplomatic and official visa applicants, to respond to this question. Other questions seek five years of previously used telephone numbers, email addresses, and international travel; whether the applicant has been deported or removed from any country; and whether specified family members have been involved in terrorist activities. Additionally, some E nonimmigrant visa applicants will be asked whether the principal treaty trader was issued a visa. The ``Sign and Submit'' statement will provide applicants additional information related to correcting records within Federal Bureau of Investigation databases. 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. 2018-18594 Filed 8-27-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710-06-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 167 / Tuesday, August 28, 2018 / Notices 43951
Percent • Originating Office: Bureau of which will be scanned at the time of
Consular Affairs, Visa Office (CA/VO). processing. The Nonimmigrant Visa
For Physical Damage: • Form Number: DS–160 and DS–156. Application (DS–156) paper version will
Non-Profit Organizations with • Respondents: All Nonimmigrant be used only in the following limited
Credit Available Elsewhere ... 2.500 Visa Applicants. circumstances when applicants cannot
Non-Profit Organizations with- • Estimated Number of Respondents: access the DS–160:
out Credit Available Else-
14,000,000. • An applicant has an urgent medical
where ..................................... 2.500
For Economic Injury: • Estimated Number of Responses: or humanitarian travel need and the
Non-Profit Organizations with- 14,000,000. consular officer has received explicit
out Credit Available Else- • Average Time per Response: 90 permission from the Visa Office to
where ..................................... 2.500 Minutes. accept form DS–156;
• Total Estimated Burden Time: • The applicant is a student exchange
The number assigned to this disaster 21,000,000 Annual Hours. visitor who must leave immediately in
for physical damage is 156576 and for • Frequency: Once per respondent’s order to arrive on time for his/her
economic injury is 156580. application. course and the consular officer has
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance • Obligation to Respond: Required to explicit permission from the Visa Office
Number 59008) Obtain or Retain a Benefit. to accept form DS–156;
We are soliciting public comments to • The applicant is a diplomatic or
James Rivera, permit the Department to: official traveler with urgent government
Associate Administrator for Disaster • Evaluate whether the proposed business and form DS–160 has been
Assistance. information collection is necessary for unavailable for more than four hours; or
[FR Doc. 2018–18536 Filed 8–27–18; 8:45 am] the proper functions of the Department. • Form DS–160 has been unavailable
BILLING CODE 8025–01–P • Evaluate the accuracy of our for more than three days and the officer
estimate of the time and cost burden for receives explicit permission from the
this proposed collection, including the Visa Office.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE validity of the methodology and In order to obtain a copy of form DS–
assumptions used. 156, an applicant must contact the
[Public Notice: 10503]
• Enhance the quality, utility, and Embassy or consulate at which he or she
30-Day Notice of Proposed Information clarity of the information to be is applying, and request a copy.
Collection: Application for collected. Additional Information
Nonimmigrant Visa • Minimize the reporting burden on
those who are to respond, including the This collection is being revised to
ACTION: Notice of request for public use of automated collection techniques include both nonimmigrant visa
comment and submission to OMB of or other forms of information application methods: The online version
proposed collection of information. technology. (form DS–160) which is used by the vast
Please note that comments submitted majority of applications, and the paper
SUMMARY: The Department of State has in response to this Notice are public version (form DS–156) which is used in
submitted the information collection record. Before including any detailed limited circumstances. Currently, the
described below to the Office of personal information, you should be online application and paper
Management and Budget (OMB) for aware that your comments as submitted, application are approved under two
approval. In accordance with the including your personal information, separate collections. With this renewal,
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we will be available for public review. the Department seeks to combine these
are requesting comments on this into a single collection. Upon approval,
collection from all interested Abstract of Proposed Collection the Department will seek to discontinue
individuals and organizations. The The Online Application for OMB Control Number 1405–0018, the
purpose of this Notice is to allow 30 Nonimmigrant Visa (DS–160) is used to existing collection for form DS–156.
days for public comment. collect biographical information from The Department also is revising the
DATES: Submit comments directly to the individuals seeking a nonimmigrant collection to add several additional
Office of Management and Budget visa. The consular officer uses the questions for most nonimmigrant visa
(OMB) up to September 27, 2018. information collected to determine the applicants. One question lists multiple
ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the applicant’s eligibility for a visa. Form social media platforms and requires the
Department of State Desk Officer in the DS–156 is required by regulation of all applicant to provide any identifiers
Office of Information and Regulatory nonimmigrant visa applicants who do used by applicants for those platforms
Affairs at the Office of Management and not use the Online Application for during the five years preceding the date
Budget (OMB). You may submit Nonimmigrant Visa (Form DS–160). of application. The platforms listed may
comments by the following methods: Posts will use the DS–156 in limited be updated by the Department by
• Email: oira_submission@ circumstances when the DS–160 is adding or removing platforms.
omb.eop.gov. You must include the DS unavailable, as outlined below, to elicit Additional platforms will be added only
form number, information collection information necessary to determine an if collection is consistent with the uses
title, and the OMB control number in applicant’s visa eligibility. described in the Supporting Statement
the subject line of your message. and after Office of Management and
• Fax: 202–395–5806. Attention: Desk Methodology Budget approval. In addition, the
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Officer for Department of State. The DS–160 will be submitted applicant will be given the option to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: electronically over industry standard provide information about any social
• Title of Information Collection: encryption technology to maintain a media identifiers associated with any
Application for Nonimmigrant Visa. secure connection to the Department via platforms other than those that are listed
• OMB Control Number: 1405–0182. the internet. The applicant will be that the applicant has used in the last
• Type of Request: Revision of a instructed to print a confirmation page five years. The Department will collect
Currently Approved Collection. containing a bar coded record locator, this information from visa applicants for
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![43952 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 167 / Tuesday, August 28, 2018 / Notices
identity resolution and vetting purposes • Email: oira_submission@ encryption technology to maintain a
based on statutory visa eligibility omb.eop.gov. You must include the DS secure connection to the Department via
standards; however, the Department form number, information collection the internet. The applicant will be
does not intend to routinely require title, and the OMB control number in instructed to print a confirmation page
applicants for specific visa the subject line of your message. containing a bar coded record locator,
classifications, such as most diplomatic • Fax: 202–395–5806. Attention: Desk which will be scanned at the time of
and official visa applicants, to respond Officer for Department of State. processing.
to this question. Other questions seek SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
five years of previously used telephone • Title of Information Collection: Additional Information
numbers, email addresses, and Electronic Application for Immigrant The Department is revising the
international travel; whether the Visa and Alien Registration. collection to add several additional
applicant has been deported or removed • OMB Control Number: 1405–0185. questions for immigrant visa applicants.
from any country; and whether • Type of Request: Revision of a
One question lists multiple social media
specified family members have been Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Bureau of platforms and requires the applicant to
involved in terrorist activities. provide any identifiers used by
Additionally, some E nonimmigrant visa Consular Affairs, Visa Office (CA/VO/L/
R). applicants for those platforms during
applicants will be asked whether the the five years preceding the date of
principal treaty trader was issued a visa. • Form Number: DS–260.
• Respondents: Immigrant Visa application. The platforms listed may be
The ‘‘Sign and Submit’’ statement will updated by the Department by adding or
provide applicants additional Applicants.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: removing platforms. Additional
information related to correcting records platforms will be added only if
710,000.
within Federal Bureau of Investigation • Estimated Number of Responses: collection is consistent with the uses
databases. Finally, the revised visa 710,000. described in the Supporting Statement
application forms will include • Average Time per Response: 155 and after Office of Management and
additional information regarding the minutes. Budget approval. In addition, the
visa medical examination that some • Total Estimated Burden Time: applicant will be given the option to
applicants may be required to undergo. 1,834,167 Annual Hours. provide information about any social
Additional details of the changes are • Frequency: Once per application. media identifiers associated with any
available in supporting documents. • Obligation to Respond: Required to platforms other than those that are listed
Carl C. Risch,
Obtain or Retain a Benefit. that the applicant has used in the last
We are soliciting public comments to five years. The Department will collect
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular permit the Department to:
Affairs, Department of State. this information for identity resolution
• Evaluate whether the proposed and vetting purposes based on statutory
[FR Doc. 2018–18594 Filed 8–27–18; 8:45 am] information collection is necessary for visa eligibility standards. Other
BILLING CODE 4710–06–P the proper functions of the Department. questions seek five years of previously
• Evaluate the accuracy of our used telephone numbers, email
estimate of the time and cost burden for addresses, and international travel;
DEPARTMENT OF STATE this proposed collection, including the whether the applicant has been
validity of the methodology and deported or removed from any country;
[Public Notice: 10505] assumptions used. and whether specified family members
• Enhance the quality, utility, and
30-Day Notice of Proposed Information have been involved in terrorist
clarity of the information to be
Collection: Electronic Application for activities. The ‘‘Sign and Submit’’
collected.
Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration • Minimize the reporting burden on statement will provide applicants
those who are to respond, including the information related to correcting records
ACTION:Notice of request for public within Federal Bureau of Investigation
comment and submission to OMB of use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information databases and additional information
proposed collection of information. regarding the immigrant visa medical
technology.
Please note that comments submitted examination. Applicants from countries
SUMMARY: The Department of State has
in response to this Notice are public where female genital mutilation/cutting
submitted the information collection
record. Before including any detailed (FGM/C) is prevalent will be provided a
described below to the Office of
personal information, you should be link in the DS–260 to an electronic
Management and Budget (OMB) for
aware that your comments as submitted, pamphlet that covers the illegality of the
approval. In accordance with the
including your personal information, practice in the United States. Further,
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we
will be available for public review. applicants will be required to check a
are requesting comments on this
box verifying that the link was provided
collection from all interested Abstract of Proposed Collection to them. Finally, the revised visa
individuals and organizations. The
The Electronic Application for application forms will include
purpose of this Notice is to allow 30
Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration additional information regarding the
days for public comment.
(DS–260) is used to collect biographical visa medical examination that some
DATES: Submit comments directly to the applicants may be required to undergo.
information from individuals seeking an
Office of Management and Budget immigrant visa. The consular officer Additional details of the changes are
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
(OMB) up to September 27, 2018. uses the information collected to elicit available in supporting documents.
ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the information necessary to determine an
Department of State Desk Officer in the Carl C. Risch,
applicant’s eligibility for a visa.
Office of Information and Regulatory Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular
Affairs at the Office of Management and Methodology Affairs, Department of State.
Budget (OMB). You may submit The DS–260 will be submitted [FR Doc. 2018–18595 Filed 8–27–18; 8:45 am]
comments by the following methods: electronically over industry standard BILLING CODE 4710–06–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:00 Aug 27, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00111 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\28AUN1.SGM 28AUN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_44118/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-08-28 00:22:54
Document Modified: 2018-08-28 00:22:54
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of proposed collection of information. | |
| Dates | Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) up to September 27, 2018. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 43951 |
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