Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Petition to Classify Special Immigrant under INA 203(b)(4) as an Employee or Former Employee of[...]

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

DATES:

Submit comments up to August 28, 2026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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

• OMB Control Number: 1405-0082.

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

• Originating Office: Consular Affairs, Visa Office.

• Form Number: DS-1884.

• Respondents: Employees or Former Employees of the U.S. Government Abroad, or the Surviving Spouse or Child of an Employee of the U.S. Government Abroad.

• Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,000.

• Estimated Number of Responses: 3,000.

• Average Time per Response: 15 minutes.

• Total Estimated Burden Time: 750 hours.

• Frequency: Once per Application.

• 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

The DS-1884, "Petition to Classify Special Immigrant Under INA 203(b)(4) as an Employee or Former Employee of the U.S. Government Abroad, or the Surviving Spouse or Child of an Employee of the U.S. Government Abroad," solicits information from aliens claiming employment-based immigrant visa preference under section 203(b)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act based on qualification as a special immigrant described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The DS-1884 form is used to file an immigrant visa petition by an eligible alien employee or qualifying former alien employee of the U.S. government abroad who performed faithful service for at least 15 years in exceptional circumstances; or the surviving spouse or child of an alien employee of the U.S. government abroad who performed faithful service for at least 15 years or was killed in the line of duty. The DS-1884 petition solicits information that will assist the consular officer in ensuring that the alien is statutorily qualified to receive such status.

Methodology

The applicant can obtain a paper copy of the petition from consular posts abroad, or retrieve an electronic copy from https://eforms.state.gov/. The completed form can be submitted in person at the consular section in the applicant's resident location, or via mail or email with the consular section. Individuals may file the petition at an alternative consular section if a consular officer finds that emergent or humanitarian circumstances warrant such an action.