[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 7, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40728-40729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14584]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 11149]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Electronic 
Medical Examination for Visa or Applicant

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State (``Department'') is seeking Office of 
Management and Budget (``OMB'') approval for the information collection 
described below. 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 
60 days for public comment preceding submission of the collection to 
OMB.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to 
September 8, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Web: Persons with access to the internet may comment on 
this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the 
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2020-0028'' in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.
     Email: [email protected].
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Beaumont, Acting Chief, 
Legislation and Regulations Division, Legal Affairs, Visa Services, 
Bureau of Consular Affairs at [email protected] or over 
telephone at (202) 485-8910.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Electronic Medical 
Examination for Visa Applicant.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0230.
     Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: CA/VO/L/R.
     Form Number: DS-7994.
     Respondents: Panel Physician/Visa and Refugee Applicants.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 580,330.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 580,330.
     Average Time per Response: 1 hour.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 580,330 annual hours.
     Frequency: Once per respondent.\1\
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    \1\ The majority of applicants only need to complete medical 
examinations, and therefore these forms once. However, medical exams 
are valid for a period of three to six months from the examination 
date. Therefore, if an applicant's medical examination expires prior 
to travel, then the applicant may need to undergo a new medical 
examination and therefore complete the forms more than once.
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     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

    This electronic collection records medical information necessary to 
determine whether visa applicants have medical conditions affecting the 
applicant's eligibility for a visa.

[[Page 40729]]

Methodology

    Approved panel physicians will be granted access to an eMedical 
system by the Department to conduct medical examinations for visa 
eligibility determinations. The pilot program for the eMedical system 
launched in September 2018. The eMedical system was rolled out in six 
waves, the first wave of the rollout was in July 2019, and the final 
wave was in May 2020. Immigrant visa applicants with a completed and 
submitted DS-260, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration 
will have their medical exam results submitted to the Department via 
the eMedical system. The panel physician will input the exam 
information into the eMedical portal and it will be transmitted to the 
Department for visa adjudication and retained in the Department's 
systems. The information will also be transmitted to the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention's (``CDC'') systems.

Edward J. Ramotowski,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2020-14584 Filed 7-6-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P