[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 172 (Thursday, September 9, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50587-50588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19438]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 11527]


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

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 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 
November 8, 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-2021-0030'' in the Search 
field. Then click the

[[Page 50588]]

``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment form.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
     Title of Information Collection: Application for Immigrant 
Visa and Alien Registration.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0185.
     Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: CA/VO.
     Form Number: DS-260, DS-230.
     Respondents: Immigrant Visa Applicants.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 730,000.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 730,000.
     Average Time per Response: 155 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 1,885,833.33 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 Electronic Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien 
Registration (DS-260) is used to collect biographical information from 
individuals seeking an immigrant visa. This information collection is 
the Department's main immigrant visa application form and is used by 
most immigrant visa applicants.
    The Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (DS-230) 
is primarily used to collect biographical information from individuals 
seeking for Cuban Family Reunification Parole. While this discretionary 
parole authority is exercised by the Department of Homeland Security, 
an applicant must demonstrate that he or she is eligible for an 
immigrant visa.
    In rare circumstances, an applicant for an immigrant visa may 
complete the DS-230 in lieu of the online version of the application, 
the DS-260. Consular officers use the information collected by both 
versions of the form to elicit information necessary to determine an 
applicant's immigrant visa eligibility.

Methodology

    The DS-260 is submitted 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 
will be scanned at the time of processing.
    Applicants using the DS-230 will complete the form and submit it 
directly to a consular post. A consular officer will review the 
submitted application to determine whether the applicant is eligible 
for an immigrant visa. To submit the DS-230 in lieu of a DS-260 the 
applicant must first receive permission from the consular officer.

Julie M. Stufft,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2021-19438 Filed 9-8-21; 8:45 am]
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