SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

• Title of Information Collection: Medical Examination for Visa or Immigration Benefit.
• OMB Control Number: 1405-0230.
• Type of Request: Revision.
• Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa Office.
• Form Number(s): DS-2054, DS-3025, DS-3026, DS-3030, and DS-7794.
• Respondents: Panel Physicians and Alien Applicants.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 696,800.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 696,000.
• Average Time per Response: 2 hours.
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 1,392,000 hours.
• Frequency: Once for each medical examination performed on an alien seeking a U.S. visa or immigration benefit.
• 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

Forms in this collection are completed by panel physicians to record the medical information of aliens seeking entry to the United States, including visa applicants; refugees; follow-to-join refugees and asylees; and certain parolees. The forms request medical information necessary to determine whether an alien has a medical or other condition affecting his or her eligibility for a visa or immigration benefit. The information requested includes the result of any tests required for the diagnosis of diseases identified as communicable diseases of public health significance, as well as other evaluations identified as necessary to confirm a medical ineligibility under INA § 212(a)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(1) or to comply with other requirements, such as those relating to a public charge ineligibility under INA § 212(a)(4). Collecting this information is essential to protecting U.S. public health interests and ensuring immigrants are not likely to become public charge after admission.

Methodology

A panel physician designated by the consular post performs a medical examination of the applicant and completes the forms according to instructions issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Panel physicians submit the DS-7794 electronically. When a medical case cannot be electronically completed with the DS-7794, respondents must submit the DS-2054, DS-3025, DS-3026, and DS-3030 as a packet to the appropriate embassy or consulate through secure email, courier service, or by providing the completed forms to the applicant in a sealed envelope. The information collected is retained by the Bureau of Consular Affairs. It is also provided to the CDC, the Department of Homeland Security, and any other U.S. government agencies with statutory or lawful authority to use such information, including for law enforcement and immigration enforcement purposes.

91 FR 34876