E9-3120. Agency Information Collection Activities: Arrival and Departure Record

AGENCY:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION:

30-Day Notice and request for comments; Revision of an existing information collection: 1651-0111.

SUMMARY:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 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 is an extension (with change) of an existing collection of information. This document is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (73 FR 75730) on December 12, 2008, allowing for a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before March 16, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be addressed to Nathan Lesser, Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection, and sent via electronic mail to [e-mail] or faxed to [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encourages the general public and affected Federal agencies to submit written comments and suggestions on proposed and/or continuing information collection requests pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13). Your comments should address one of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency/component, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies/components estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

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.

If additional information is required, contact: Tracey Denning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 3.2.C, Washington, DC 20229, at 202-344-1429.

Dated: February 6, 2009.

Tracey Denning,

Agency Clearance Officer, Information Services Branch.