E8-29423. Agency Information Collection Activities Arrival and Departure Record

AGENCY:

Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security

ACTION:

60-Day Notice and request for comments; Extension of an existing information Collection: 1651-0111.

SUMMARY:

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning the Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record), the Form I-94W (Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure), and the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This request for comment is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)).

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before February 10, 2009, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Attn.: Tracey Denning, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 3.2.C, Washington, DC 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information should be directed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Attn.: Tracey Denning, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 3.2C, Washington, DC 20229, Tel. [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). The comments should address: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden including the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operations, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. The comments that are submitted will be summarized and included in the CBP request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. In this document CBP is soliciting comments concerning the following information collection:

Title: Arrival and Departure Record, Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

OMB Number: 1651-0111.

Form Numbers: I-94 and I-94W.

Abstract: Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) and Form I-94W (Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record) are used to document a traveler's admission into the United States. These forms include date of arrival, visa classification and the date the authorized stay expires. The forms are also used by business employers and other organizations to confirm legal status in the United States. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applies to aliens traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and requires that VWP travelers provide information electronically to CBP before embarking on travel to the United States. The recent expansion of the VWP to include seven additional countries resulted in a change to the burden hours of this collection of information.

Current Actions: This submission is being made to extend the expiration date.

Type of Review: Extension (with change).

Affected Public: Individuals.

Estimated Number of Respondents (I-94 and I-94W): 30,924,380.

Estimated Number of Respondents (ESTA): 18,000,000.

Estimated Time per Response (I-94 and I-94W): 8 minutes.

Estimated Time per Response (ESTA): 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,623,249.

Estimated Total Annualized Cost on the Public: $185,546,280.

Dated: December 3, 2008.

Tracey Denning,

Agency Clearance Officer, Customs and Border Protection.