[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 43952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18595]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 10505]


30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Electronic 
Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of 
proposed collection of information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the information 
collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we 
are requesting comments on this collection from all interested 
individuals and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow 
30 days for public comment.

DATES: Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) up to September 27, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. You must include the 
DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control 
number in the subject line of your message.
     Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department 
of State.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Electronic Application 
for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0185.
     Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa 
Office (CA/VO/L/R).
     Form Number: DS-260.
     Respondents: Immigrant Visa Applicants.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 710,000.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 710,000.
     Average Time per Response: 155 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 1,834,167 Annual Hours.
     Frequency: Once per application.
     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

    The Electronic Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien 
Registration (DS-260) is used to collect biographical information from 
individuals seeking an immigrant visa. The consular officer uses the 
information collected to elicit information necessary to determine an 
applicant's eligibility for a visa.

Methodology

    The DS-260 will be submitted electronically over industry standard 
encryption technology to maintain a secure connection to the Department 
via the internet. The applicant will be instructed to print a 
confirmation page containing a bar coded record locator, which will be 
scanned at the time of processing.

Additional Information

    The Department is revising the collection to add several additional 
questions for immigrant visa applicants. One question lists multiple 
social media platforms and requires the applicant to provide any 
identifiers used by applicants for those platforms during the five 
years preceding the date of application. The platforms listed may be 
updated by the Department by adding or removing platforms. Additional 
platforms will be added only if collection is consistent with the uses 
described in the Supporting Statement and after Office of Management 
and Budget approval. In addition, the applicant will be given the 
option to provide information about any social media identifiers 
associated with any platforms other than those that are listed that the 
applicant has used in the last five years. The Department will collect 
this information for identity resolution and vetting purposes based on 
statutory visa eligibility standards. Other questions seek five years 
of previously used telephone numbers, email addresses, and 
international travel; whether the applicant has been deported or 
removed from any country; and whether specified family members have 
been involved in terrorist activities. The ``Sign and Submit'' 
statement will provide applicants information related to correcting 
records within Federal Bureau of Investigation databases and additional 
information regarding the immigrant visa medical examination. 
Applicants from countries where female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/
C) is prevalent will be provided a link in the DS-260 to an electronic 
pamphlet that covers the illegality of the practice in the United 
States. Further, applicants will be required to check a box verifying 
that the link was provided to them. Finally, the revised visa 
application forms will include additional information regarding the 
visa medical examination that some applicants may be required to 
undergo. Additional details of the changes are available in supporting 
documents.

Carl C. Risch,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2018-18595 Filed 8-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-06-P