E8-7236. 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status; Form DS-2019, OMB No. 1405-0119

ACTION:

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

SUMMARY:

The Department of State has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

• Title of Information Collection: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status.
• OMB Control Number: 1405-0119.
• Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Office of Exchange Coordination & Designation, ECA/EC.
• Form Number: Form DS-2019.
• Respondents: U.S. Department of State Designated Sponsors.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 1460.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 350,000 annually.
• Average Hours per Response: 45 minutes.
• Total Estimated Burden: 262,500 hours.
• Frequency: On occasion.
• Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.

DATES:

Submit comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for up to 30 days from April 7, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Direct comments and questions to Katherine Astrich, the Department of State Desk Officer in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who may be reached at 202-395-4718. You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

• E-mail: [e-mail]. You must include the DS form number, information collection title, and OMB control number in the subject line of your message.
• Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503.
• Fax: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

You may obtain copies of the proposed information collection and supporting documents from Stanley S. Colvin, Director, Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Room 734, Washington, DC 20547; or email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary to properly perform 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.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

The collection is the continuation of information collected and needed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in administering the Exchange Visitor Program (J-Visa) under the provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act, as amended. The form has been revised to update the duration of program participation and the addition of a new category of Intern for which regulations are in place.

Methodology

Access to Form DS-2019 is made available to Department designated sponsors electronically via the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Dated: March 25, 2008.

Stanley S. Colvin,

Director, Office of Exchange Coordination & Designation, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State.