[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 154 (Friday, August 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44766-44767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17332]


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 DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 11492]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-160, Online 
Application for Nonimmigrant Visa and DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa 
Application

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collections 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 
October 12, 2021.

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-2021-0023'' in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: D. Aikens at 
[email protected] or over telephone at (202)-485-7586.

[[Page 44767]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
 Title of Information Collection: Electronic Application for 
Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration
 OMB Control Number: 1405-0182
 Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection
 Originating Office: CA/VO
 Form Number: DS-160, DS-156
 Respondents: Immigrant Visa Applicants
 Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,190,367
 Estimated Number of Responses: 5,190,367
 Average Time per Response: 90 minutes
 Total Estimated Burden Time: 7,785,550.5 hours
 Frequency: Once per respondent's 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 of 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 DS-160 and DS-156 collect biographical information from 
individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa. The consular officer uses the 
information collected to elicit information necessary to determine an 
applicant's eligibility for a visa. Most nonimmigrant visa applicants, 
as well as certain authorized parole applicants use the DS-160, however 
posts may authorize an applicant to use the paper-based DS-156 in 
limited circumstances as outlined below.

Methodology

    The applicant submits the DS-160 electronically over an encrypted 
connection to the Department via the internet. The applicant will be 
instructed to print a confirmation page containing a bar coded record 
locator, which the consular office will use to locate the application 
during processing.
    The DS-156 is a paper-based version of the DS-160. In order to 
obtain a copy of the DS-156, an applicant must contact the Embassy or 
consulate at which he or she is applying and request a copy. A consular 
officer may allow an applicant to submit the DS-156 in the following 
limited circumstances when applicants cannot access the DS-160:
     An applicant has an urgent medical or humanitarian travel 
need and the consular officer has received explicit permission from the 
Visa Office to accept form DS-156;
     The applicant is a student exchange visitor who must leave 
immediately in order to arrive on time for his/her course and the 
consular officer has explicit permission from the Visa Office to accept 
form DS-156;
     The applicant is a diplomatic or official traveler with 
urgent government business and form DS-160 has been unavailable for 
more than four hours; or
     Form DS-160 has been unavailable for more than three days 
and the officer receives explicit permission from the Visa Office.
    The DS-160 is also used in limited circumstances to process certain 
parole applicants. When a humanitarian or significant public benefit 
parole request is authorized by USCIS, the applicants are required to 
complete the DS-160 and appear for an appointment with the Department 
of State consular section to verify their identity and collect 
biometrics for additional security vetting. If no new derogatory 
information or new identity information is identified during vetting 
that would cause USCIS to rescind parole approval, the U. S. Consulate 
issues a document referred to as a boarding foil that allows the 
beneficiary to travel to the United States within 30 days of it being 
issued. A final determination on whether to parole an applicant into 
the United States is then made by CBP at the port of entry.

Kevin E. Bryant,
Deputy Director, Office of Directives Management, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2021-17332 Filed 8-12-21; 8:45 am]
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