[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 53 (Monday, March 18, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11076-11077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6437]



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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 2356]


Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment

AGENCY: Bureau of Consular Affairs, State.

ACTION: The Department has submitted the following public information 
collection requirement to OMB for review and clearance under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

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SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described 
below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget 
(``OMB'') for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The 
Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

DATES: Comments due May 17, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposed form by name and/
or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: Room B264 Department of 
State, 2201 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Copies of the proposed form and supporting documents may be obtained 
from Charles S. Cunningham, telephone number (202) 647-0596.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department will submit the proposed 
information collection to OMB for review, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. 44 U.S.C. (Chapter 35, as amended).

    This Notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information to: 
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) 
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the 
burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond.
    This Notice also lists the following information:
    Title of Proposal: Request for Extension of Approval for the 
Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form.
    OMB Control Number: 1405-0018.
    Description of the need for the information and the proposed use: 
The Immigration and Nationality Act (``INA''), 8 U.S.C. 1101 et. seq., 
establishes the application and eligibility requirements for aliens 
seeking to obtain nonimmigrant visas. Section 222(c), 8 U.S.C. 1202(c), 
specifically requires that an alien provide the following information 
in applying for a nonimmigrant visa:

Full and true name,
Date and place of birth,
Nationality,
Purpose and length of intended stay in the United States,
Personal description (including height, complexion, color of hair and 
eyes, and marks of identification),
Marital status, and
Additional information necessary to identify the applicant and to 
enforce the immigration and nationality laws as prescribed by 
regulations.

    Section 221(b) of the INA requires that a photograph accompany the 
application. 8 U.S.C. 1201(b).
    The Nonimmigrant Visa Application form or OF-156 is designed to 
fulfill the legal requirements described above. The information 
requested on the form is limited to what is necessary for consular 
officers of the Department of State to efficiently determine the 
eligibility of an alien's application for a nonimmigrant visa and 
appropriate classification of that visa. A consular officer would not 
be able to issue a visa without first collecting this information. 
Applicants for certain classifications of visas, such as treaty 
investors and fiancees, are

[[Page 11077]]
required to provide additional information to demonstrate eligibility 
for such visas.
    The Department of State envisions no changes to the existing form 
at this time.
    Title of Information Collection: Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
    Agency Form Number: OF-156.
    Frequency: The form is used each time an alien applies for a 
nonimmigrant visa to the United States, which in many cases is one time 
only for an individual. The frequency of use is the minimum required to 
meet the statutory provisions of the INA.
    Member of affected public: Nonimmigrant visa applicants.
    Estimated number of respondents: 8,000,000 per year.
    Estimated hours per response: 25 to 1 hour.
    Total estimated burden hours: 2,000,000 to 8,000,000 hours.
    Status of the proposed information collection: Extension of a 
currently approved collection.

    Authority: Sections 3506 and 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 35, as amended. 44 U.S.C. 3507(d) does 
not apply.

    Dated: March 6, 1996.
Ruth A. Davis,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs.
[FR Doc. 96-6437 Filed 3-15-96; 8:45 am]
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