30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Petition To Classify Special Immigrant Under INA 203(b)(4) as Employee or Former Employee of the U.S. Government Abroad

ACTION:

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

SUMMARY:

The Department of State has submitted the information collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow 30 days for public comment.

DATES:

Submit comments up to December 15, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Direct requests for additional information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and supporting documents, to Andrea Lage, Acting Regulatory Coordinator, Visa Services, who may be reached on PRA_BurdenComments@state.gov or (202) 485-7586.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

• Title of Information Collection: Petition to Classify Special Immigrant Under INA 203(b)(4) as Employee or Former Employee of the U.S. Government Abroad.

• OMB Control Number: 1405-0082.

• Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

• Originating Office: CA/VO.

• Form Number: DS-1884.

• Respondents: Aliens petitioning for immigrant visas under INA 203(b)(4) as a special immigrant described in INA section 101(a)(27)(D).

• Estimated Number of Respondents: 600.

• Estimated Number of Responses: 600.

• Average Time Per Response: 10 minutes.

• Total Estimated Burden Time: 100 hours.

• Frequency: Once per petition.

• Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this 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, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

DS-1884 solicits information from petitioners claiming employment-based immigrant visa preference under section 203(b)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act on the basis of qualification as a special immigrant described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. A petitioner may file the DS-1884 petition within one year of notification by the Department of State that the Secretary has approved a recommendation for special immigrant status. DS-1884 solicits information that will assist the consular officer in ensuring that the petitioner is statutorily qualified to receive such status, including meeting the years of service and exceptional service requirements.

Methodology

The petitioner can obtain the form from consular posts abroad or through the Department's website, travel.state.gov. The application available on the Department's website allows an applicant to complete the application electronically and then print the application and submit it to post.