E9-2776. 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-260, Electronic Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, OMB Control Number 1405-XXXX

ACTION:

Notice of request for public comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

• Title of Information Collection: Electronic Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration.
• OMB Control Number: None.
• Type of Request: New Collection.
• Originating Office: Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa Services (CA/VO).
• Form Number: DS-260.
• Respondents: Aliens applying for an immigrant visa.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 700,000.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 700,000.
• Average Hours per Response: 120 minutes (2 hours).
• Total Estimated Burden: 1,400,000 hours per year.
• Frequency: Once per respondent.
• Obligation To Respond: Required To Obtain or Retain a Benefit.

DATE(S):

The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 days from April 13, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

• Web: Persons with access to the internet may also view and comment on this notice by going to the regulations.gov Web site at http:www.regulations.gov/​index/​cfm.
• Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Chief, Legislation and Regulations Division, Visa Services—DS-160, 2401 E. Street, NW., Washington DC 20520-30106.

You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information collection title, and OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Direct requests for additional information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including requests for copies of the proposed information collection and supporting documents, to Andrea Lage, Visa Services, U.S. Department of State, 2401 E. Street, NW., L-603, Washington, DC 20522, who may be reached at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of our functions.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 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 technology.

Abstract of proposed collection:

Form DS-260 will be used to elicit information to determine the eligibility of aliens applying for immigrant visas.

Methodology:

The DS-260 will be submitted electronically to the Department via the internet. The applicant will be instructed to print a confirmation page containing a 2-D bar code record locator, which will be scanned at the time of processing. Applicants who submit the electronic application will no longer submit paper-based applications to the Department.

Dated: January 22, 2009.

David T. Donahue,

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State.