2019-17567. Agency Information Collection Activities: Electronic Visa Update System

AGENCY:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION:

60-Day notice and request for comments; extension of an existing collection of information.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). The information collection is published in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and must be submitted (no later than October 15, 2019) to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice must include the OMB Control Number 1651-0139 in the subject line and the agency name. To avoid duplicate submissions, please use only one of the following methods to submit comments:

(1) Email. Submit comments to: [e-mail].

(2) Mail. Submit written comments to CBP Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings, Economic Impact Analysis Branch, 90 K Street NE, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional PRA information should be directed to Seth Renkema, Chief, Economic Impact Analysis Branch, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings, 90 K Street NE, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177, Telephone number 202-325-0056 or via email [e-mail]. Please note that the contact information provided here is solely for questions regarding this notice. Individuals seeking information about other CBP programs should contact the CBP National Customer Service Center at 877-227-5511, (TTY) 1-800-877-8339, or CBP website at https://www.cbp.gov/​.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the proposed and/or continuing information collections pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies should address one or more of the following four points: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) suggestions to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) suggestions to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through 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. The comments that are submitted will be summarized and included in the request for approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.

Overview of This Information Collection

Title: Electronic Visa Update System.

OMB Number: 1651-0139.

Form Number: N/A.

Current Actions: This submission is being made to extend the expiration date of this information collection with no changes to the burden hours or the information collected.

Type of Review: Extension (with no change).

Affected Public: Individuals.

Abstract: The Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) allows for the collection of biographic and other information from nonimmigrant aliens who hold a passport issued by an identified country containing a U.S. nonimmigrant visa of a designated category. Nonimmigrant aliens subject to this requirement must periodically enroll in EVUS and obtain a notification of compliance with EVUS prior to travel to the United States. The EVUS requirement is currently limited to nonimmigrant aliens holding unrestricted, maximum validity B-1 (business visitor), B-2 (visitor for pleasure), or combination B-1/B-2 visas contained in a passport issued by the People's Republic of China.

EVUS provides for greater efficiencies in the screening of international travelers by allowing DHS to identify nonimmigrant aliens who may be inadmissible before they depart for the United States, thereby increasing security and reducing traveler delays upon arrival at U.S. ports of entry. EVUS aids DHS in facilitating legitimate travel while also enhancing public safety and national security.

Recent Changes

On November 27, 2017, the Secretary of State designated DPRK, as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, or SST. Countries determined by the Secretary of State “to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism” are considered to have been designated as “state sponsors of terrorism.”

To meet the requirements and intent of the law and in light of the designation of DPRK as a SST, DHS is strengthening the security of the United States through enhancements to the EVUS enrollment.

Under the Emergency Clearance request process DHS has recently added DPRK to the following question to EVUS “Have you traveled to, or been present in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) on or after March 1, 2011? If yes, provide the country, date(s) of travel, and reason for travel.”

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,595,904.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Responses: 3,595,904.

Estimated Time per Response: 25 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,499,492.

Dated: August 12, 2019.

Seth D. Renkema,

Branch Chief, Economic Impact Analysis Branch, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.