[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 6686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2776]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 6521]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-260, 
Electronic Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, OMB 
Control Number 1405-XXXX

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.
     Title of Information Collection: Electronic Application 
for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration.
     OMB Control Number: None.
     Type of Request: New Collection.
     Originating Office: Department of State, Bureau of 
Consular Affairs, Visa Services (CA/VO).
     Form Number: DS-260.
     Respondents: Aliens applying for an immigrant visa.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 700,000.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 700,000.
     Average Hours per Response: 120 minutes (2 hours).
     Total Estimated Burden: 1,400,000 hours per year.
     Frequency: Once per respondent.
     Obligation To Respond: Required To Obtain or Retain a 
Benefit.

DATE(S): The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 
days from April 13, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Web: Persons with access to the internet may also view and 
comment on this notice by going to the regulations.gov Web site at 
http:www.regulations.gov/index/cfm.
     Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Chief, 
Legislation and Regulations Division, Visa Services--DS-160, 2401 E. 
Street, NW., Washington DC 20520-30106.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), 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, Visa Services, U.S. Department of 
State, 2401 E. Street, NW., L-603, Washington, DC 20522, who may be 
reached at (202) 663-1399.

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:
    Form DS-260 will be used to elicit information to determine the 
eligibility of aliens applying for immigrant visas.
    Methodology:
    The DS-260 will be submitted electronically to the Department via 
the internet. The applicant will be instructed to print a confirmation 
page containing a 2-D bar code record locator, which will be scanned at 
the time of processing. Applicants who submit the electronic 
application will no longer submit paper-based applications to the 
Department.

    Dated: January 22, 2009.
David T. Donahue,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. E9-2776 Filed 2-9-09; 8:45 am]
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