Arrival and Departure Record and Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Emergency
12/01/2024
11/30/2024
Requested
Previously Approved
6 Months From Approved
11/30/2024
18,797,619
24,717,623
4,054,581
4,583,103
287,283,714
178,283,850
Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) and Form I-94W (Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure) are used to document a traveler's admission into the United States. These forms include date of arrival, visa classification and the date the authorized stay expires. The forms are also used by business employers and other organizations to confirm legal status in 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.
This information collection is essential to the agencyâs mission, and the agency cannot reasonably comply with the regular clearance procedures under the PRA because delayed implementation would likely cause public harm . See 5 C.F.R. § 1320.13(a)(1), (2)(i)-(ii). In particular, prompt implementation is necessary because Qatarâs designation in the VWP serves U.S. law enforcement and security interests through requisite enhancements to the U.S.-Qatar security partnership, including Qatarâs improved screening of travelers, its increased sharing of information on known and suspected terrorists, and its automation of the real-time exchange of biometric information in support of immigration and border vetting. These programs only become fully effective with the implementation of the VWP.
Burden calculations were updated to reflect current usage and accurate costs. These are not due to program changes with I-94 collections. The addition of Qatar to the VWP will result in an estimated annual increase of 12,000 responses and 6,500 burden hours to the ESTA information collection.
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.