CBP initiates the Form I-515A to allow
an academic nonimmigrant student (F-1), vocational nonimmigrant
student (M-1), exchange visitor (J-1), or dependent (F-2, M-2 or
J-2) who is without proper documentation to enter the United States
temporarily for a 30-day period. To extend the authorized duration
of the visit, the F, J or M nonimmigrant must obtain the required
documents and, along with the Form I-515A, submit them to the SEVP
office within 30-days of entry.
US Code:
8 USC
1184 Name of Law: ADMISSION OF NONIMMIGRANTS
US Code: 8 USC
1372 Name of Law: Program to Collect Information Relating to
Nonimmigrant Foreign Students and other Exchange Program
US Code: 8 USC
1101 Name of Law: DEFINITIONS
Nonimmigrant Respondents: SEVP
experienced a decrease of 5,957 (4,744 current supporting statement
figure – 10,701 year 2015 supporting statement figure = -5,957)
nonimmigrant respondents, and a decrease of 988 (788 current
supporting statement figure – 1,776 year 2015 supporting statement
figure = -988) burden hours for nonimmigrants from the amounts
previously reported in the year 2015 for this collection of
information. This respondent and burden hour decrease is due to a
decrease in the total number of academic nonimmigrant students
(F-1), vocational nonimmigrant students (M-1) and exchange visitors
(J-1) coming to the United States to obtain an education or
participate in exchange programs. SEVP has addressed the root
causes that lead to the issuance of Form I-515A by directing
specific informational and educational materials to F, J and M
nonimmigrants via its website Study in the States
(http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/what-is-a-form-i-515a) encouraging
them to hand carry travel documents rather than place the documents
in suitcases, which typically the F, J and M nonimmigrants can’t
access before reaching the CBP port of entry officer. SEVP issues
an electronic Fact Sheet encouraging schools to include such
information in their registration materials. SEVP believes that
such efforts are the key in the mitigation of burden hours. School
/ Program Respondents: SEVP incorporates, starting in this
supporting statement, the School / Program respondents. The School
/ Program staffs assist the nonimmigrants to respond to the
requirements identified in the Form I-515A. This new School /
Program respondent and burden hour increase provides a more
comprehensive reporting of the costs associated with the use of the
Form I-515A. SEVP reports an initial 4,744 current supporting
statement figure for respondents, and an initial 1,186 current
supporting statement burden hour figure for this collection of
information. The burden and costs are related to the academic
nonimmigrant students (F-1), vocational nonimmigrant students (M-1)
and exchange visitors (J-1) coming to the United States to obtain
an education or participate in exchange programs.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.