2010-6051. 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: 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 a proposed extension of an information collection that was previously approved. CBP is proposing that this information collection be extended with a change to the burden hours. This document is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (74 FR 64092) on December 7, 2009, allowing for a 60-day comment period. One comment was received. 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 April 19, 2010.

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 the OMB Desk Officer for Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, 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 (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 agency's/component's 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 techniques or other forms of information.

Title: Arrival and Departure Record, Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure, 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.

CBP proposes to decrease the burden hours for the I-94W and for ESTA due to better estimates. The reduction in the burden hours for the I-94W is also a result of pilot programs CBP has conducted recently in which passengers are not required to submit an I-94W.

Current Actions: This submission is being made to extend the expiration date with a revision to the burden hours.

Type of Review: Extension (with change)

Affected Public: Individuals, Carriers, Government Agencies, and the Travel and Tourism Industry

I-94 (Arrival and Departure Record):

Estimated Number of Respondents: 14,000,000

Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 14,000,000

Estimated Time per Response: 8 minutes

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,862,000

Estimated Total Annualized Cost on the Public: $84,000,000

I-94W (Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure):

Estimated Number of Respondents: 17,000,000

Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 17,000,000

Estimated Time per Response: 8 minutes

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,261,000

Estimated Total Annualized Cost on the Public: $102,000,000

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA):

Estimated Number of Respondents: 17,000,000

Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 17,000,000

Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,250,000

If additional information is required contact: Tracey Denning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Regulations and Rulings, 799 9th Street, NW., 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177, at 202-325-0265.

Dated: March 16, 2010.

Tracey Denning,

Agency Clearance Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.