US: Information Collection on Form DS‑864E
· WOWERI
The State Department announced a 60‑day public comment period for a new DS‑864E form that would allow immigrant‑visa applicants to request a waiver of the sponsor affidavit requirement. Comments are accepted through Nov 17 2026.
In brief
- State Department opened a 60‑day public comment period for a new DS‑864E waiver form.
- Comments are accepted until Nov 17 2026 via Regulations.gov, email, or mail.
- The collection targets immigrant‑visa applicants; about 24 000 respondents are expected.
What to do
- Review the full notice (FR Doc 2026‑19142) on the Federal Register website.
- Prepare a comment if you wish to weigh in on the form’s scope, cost, or practicality.
- Submit your comment via one of three methods:
What changed in the information collection for form DS‑864E?
The U.S. Department of State issued a 60‑day notice on Sep 18 2026 (Public Notice 13122, 91 FR 59292) announcing a new information‑collection request tied to form DS‑864E, a waiver request for the sponsor affidavit. The notice seeks Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and is classified as a New Collection with control number OMB 1405‑XXXX.
Who is affected?
- Immigrant‑visa applicants who may need a sponsor‑affidavit waiver.
- An estimated 24 000 respondents, according to the notice.
- The collection will be initiated from the CA/VO (Originating Office).
What does this mean for English‑speaking readers?
If you plan to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa and are considering a waiver of the sponsor affidavit, the proposed changes could affect the form itself, required documentation, and submission procedures. The form is still in public comment, so final rules may shift based on feedback. Keep an eye on State Department updates, as OMB approval could alter filing timelines and evidence requirements.
What should you do now?
- Review the full notice (FR Doc 2026‑19142) on the Federal Register website.
- Prepare a comment if you wish to weigh in on the form’s scope, cost, or practicality.
- Submit your comment via one of three methods:
- Regulations.gov portal, using docket DOS‑2026‑0960 and clicking “Comment Now.”
- Email to [email protected].
- Mail to Senior Regulatory Coordinator, Visa Services, Department of State, 600 19th St. NW, Washington, DC 20006.
- Include the form number DS‑864E, the collection name, and OMB control number 1405‑XXXX in your comment.
- Consider consulting a licensed immigration attorney to ensure your comment is legally sound.
What dates are important?
- Notice published: Sep 18 2026.
- Comment period ends: Nov 17 2026 (60 days).
- After Nov 17, the Department will forward the collection to OMB for final approval; the exact decision date will be announced later.
Original source
State Department notice requesting public comments on DS‑864E information collection, published in the Federal Register on Sep 18 2026. Link.
*This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.*
What to do next
Frequently asked questions
What is form DS‑864E?
It is a request form for a waiver of the sponsor affidavit requirement for immigrant‑visa applicants, pending OMB approval.
How and where can I submit a comment?
Comments can be submitted through Regulations.gov (docket DOS‑2026‑0960), by email to [email protected], or by mail to the Senior Regulatory Coordinator, Visa Services, Department of State, 600 19th St. NW, Washington, DC 20006.
When is a final decision on the collection expected?
After the Nov 17 2026 comment deadline, the State Department will send the collection to OMB, which will decide at a later date that has not yet been announced.
Source: Federal Register