[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 164 (Thursday, August 25, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 52422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18324]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 11822]


30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Nonimmigrant 
Visa Application

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

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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 up to September 26, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument, and 
supporting documents to Tonya Whigham, who may be reached at (202) 485-
7586 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Nonimmigrant Visa 
Application; Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0182.
     Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa 
Services (CA/VO).
     Form Number: DS-156; DS-160.
     Respondents: Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants; Individuals 
Seeking Boarding Foils for Purposes of Parole.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,095,302.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 11,095,302.
     Average Time per Response: 90 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 16,642,953 hours.
     Frequency: Once per respondent's application for a 
nonimmigrant visa; once per respondent's request for a boarding foil.
     Obligation to respond: Required to Obtain 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 DS-160 and DS-156 collect biographical and other information 
from individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa or individuals seeking a 
boarding foil for purposes of traveling to the United States to seek 
parole from the Department of Homeland Security. The consular officer 
uses the information collected to elicit information necessary to 
determine an applicant's eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa. The 
consular officer uses the information collected on the form to screen 
individuals seeking a boarding foil for purposes of obtaining parole 
pursuant to an agreement between the Department of State and the 
Department of Homeland Security. Most respondents use the DS-160; 
however, posts may authorize an individual to use the paper-based DS-
156 in limited circumstances as outlined below.

Methodology

    Respondents submit the DS-160 electronically over an encrypted 
connection to the Department via the internet. The respondent will be 
instructed to print the confirmation page containing bar code record 
locators, which the consular officer will use to the locate the form 
during processing.
    The DS-156 is the paper-based version of the DS-160. In order to 
obtain a copy of the DS-156, an individual must contact the Embassy or 
consulate at which they are applying and request a copy. A consular 
officer may allow an individual to submit the DS-156 in the following 
limited circumstances when the DS-160 cannot be accessed and the:
     Respondent 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;
     Respondent is a student or 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;
     Respondent 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.

Julie M. Stufft,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2022-18324 Filed 8-24-22; 8:45 am]
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