[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69047-69048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28339]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Questionnaire 
on Business-Related Visa Processes

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 10, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Christopher Clement, 202-482-4750, 
[email protected], Fax: 202-482-3643.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 69048]]

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) fosters, serves, and promotes 
the Nation's economic development. Through participation with other 
U.S. Government agencies, DOC creates national policies to enhance 
opportunities for U.S. workers and employers in the global economy. 
Countries that support the free flow of products, services, capital, 
and people create a positive business environment for their domestic 
firms. DOC has been informed by industry associations representing U.S. 
business and trade interests that their member companies have 
experienced problems with the visa process as it pertains to bringing 
foreign business travelers into the country. Although official data 
does not exist, anecdotal evidence suggests common difficulties for 
U.S. industry due to visa delays and denials, with commensurate 
economic loss to U.S. firms. Recognizing that national security 
concerns must always remain paramount in any discussion relating to 
business visas and in response to these industry concerns, the 
Secretary of Commerce has identified the need to measure how current 
U.S. business visa policy affects American companies active in the 
global economy. The facilitation of business travel is a priority of 
Secretary's and very important to meeting President Obama's National 
Export Initiative goal of doubling U.S. exports in the next five years.
    The DOC will request that U.S. industry and trade associations use 
the questionnaire to report instances of U.S. business visa delay or 
denial. The information derived from completed questionnaires is 
critical to enabling DOC to ascertain the economic impact, if any, of 
current U.S. business-related visa policy.
    DOC staff regularly receive unsolicited feedback from U.S industry, 
U.S. trade associations, state/regional/local economic development 
officials, and foreign investors about challenges that foreign business 
travelers have encountered while trying to obtain a U.S. business visa. 
Though this qualitative information is useful in understanding certain 
issues pertaining to current U.S. business visa policy, the 
quantitative information that the questionnaire will gather is much 
more important in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the 
potential economic impact of business visa delays and denials.

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected electronically.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0625-XXXX.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (new information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 250.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: November 5, 2010.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-28339 Filed 11-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P