Agency Information Collection Activities: Arrival and Departure Record (Forms I-94 and I-94W) and Electronic System for Travel Authorization

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 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: CBP Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record), CBP Form I-94W (Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure), and the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). CBP is proposing that this information collection be revised by adding a data element for “Country of Birth” to ESTA and to CBP Form I-94W. This document is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (76 FR 28239) on May 16, 2011, 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 August 24, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this 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 oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed to (202) 395-5806.

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 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 techniques or other forms of information.

Title: Arrival/Departure Record, Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure, and Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

OMB Number: 1651-0111.

Form Numbers: CBP Form I-94 and CBP Form I-94W.

Abstract: CBP Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) and CBP Form I-94W (Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure) are used to document a traveler's admission into the United States. These forms are filled out by aliens and are used to collect information on citizenship, residency, and contact information. The data elements collected on these forms enable the DHS to perform its mission related to the screening of alien visitors for potential risks to national security, and the determination of admissibility to 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 revise this collection of information by adding a data field for “Country of Birth” to ESTA and to CBP Form I-94W.

ESTA can be accessed at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/. Samples of CBP Forms I-94 and I-94W can be viewed at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/forms/arrival.ctt/arrival.pdf and http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/forms/visa_waiver.ctt/visa_waiver.pdf.

Current Actions: This submission is being made to revise this collection of information by adding a data field for “Country of Birth” to ESTA and to CBP Form I-94W, with no change to the burden hours. There are no proposed changes to CBP Form I-94.

Type of Review: Revision.

Affected Public: Individuals, Carriers, 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: 100,000.

Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 100,000.

Estimated Time per Response: 8 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13,300.

Estimated Total Annualized Cost on the Public: $600,000.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA):

Estimated Number of Respondents: 18,900,000.

Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 18,900,000.

Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,725,000.

If additional information is required contact: Tracey Denning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Regulations and Rulings, Office of International Trade, 799 9th Street, NW., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177, at 202-325-0265.