[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47284-47285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13480]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5498]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-1648, 
Application for A, G, or NATO Visa, OMB No. 1405-0100

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in 
the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting 
this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

[[Page 47285]]

     Title of Information Collection: Application for A, G, or 
NATO Visa.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0100.
     Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of 
Visa Services.
     Form Number: DS-1648.
     Respondents: All applicants for A, G, or NATO visas 
reauthorizations.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,000.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 20,000.
     Average Hours Per Response: 30 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden: 10,000 hours.
     Frequency: Once per application.
     Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain benefit.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 
days from August 16, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected] (the subject line of the e-mail 
must be DS-1648).
     Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Chief, 
Legislation and Regulation Division, Visa Services--DS-1648 
Reauthorization, 2401 E. Street, NW., Washington DC 20520-30106.
     Fax: (202) 663-3898.
    You must include the DS form number, information collection title, 
and OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection and 
supporting documents, to Andrea Lage of the Office of Visa Services, 
U.S. Department of State, 2401 E. Street, NW. L-603, Washington, DC 
20522, who may be reached at (202) 663-1221 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are soliciting public comments to permit 
the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper performance of our functions.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
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 
technology.
    Abstract of proposed collection: The Department of State uses Form 
DS-1648 to elicit information necessary to ascertain the applicability 
of the legal requirements for applicants for a renewal of A, G, or NATO 
visas. The information requested is limited to that which is necessary 
to determine the eligibility of applicants who seek renewal of their 
visas. An estimated 20,000 renewal applications are filed each year.
    Methodology: Applicants complete this form using an online 
application available on the Department's Web site, http://www.travel.state.gov. The applicant then prints the application and a 
bar code is printed at the bottom of the form. The bar code is an 
electronic capture of the information provided by the applicant. The 
application is then submitted by mail to the Department. The Department 
scans the bar code on the application to retrieve the information 
electronically. Applicants are not allowed to submit handwritten or 
typed forms with printed bar codes.

    Dated: July 28, 2006.
Stephen A. Edson,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of 
State.
 [FR Doc. E6-13480 Filed 8-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P