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H1B Visa | Green Card | TN Visa

A Permanent Resident Alien Card, or "Green Card," allows a foreign national to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. Green Card applications can be initiated only by Dibon. The processing of green cards is done for the convenience of our employees. All the H1B or L1 Employees in United States are encouraged to apply for Permanent Residency (Green Card) in US. Talk to your Technical Manager for the Green Card packet and legal help.

H1B Visa

The United States H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa, which allows a US company to employ a foreign individual for up to six years. As applying for a non-immigrant visa is generally quicker than applying for a 'Green Card', staff required on long-term assignment in the US are often initially brought in using a non-immigrant visa such as the H1B.

Individuals cannot apply for an H1B visa to allow them to work in the US. The employer must petition for entry of the employee. H1B visas are subject to annual numerical limits.

The H1B visa is designed to be used for staff in "specialty occupations", that is those occupations that require a high degree of specialized knowledge. Generally at least the equivalent of a job-relevant 4-year US Bachelor's degree is required (this requirement can usually be met by having a 3-year degree and 3 years' relevant post-graduate experience). However, professionals such as lawyers, doctors, accountants and others must be licensed to practice in the state of intended employment – e.g. a lawyer must generally have passed the relevant state bar exam.

Non-graduates may be employed on an H1B visa where they can claim to be 'graduate equivalent' by virtue of twelve or more years' experience in the occupation.

The initial visa may be granted for up to three years. It may then be extended, in the first instance for up to two further years, and eventually for one further year, to a maximum of six years. Those wishing to remain in the US for more than six years may, while still in the US on an H1B visa, apply for permanent residence (the "green card"): if such employees do not gain permanent residence, when the six year period runs out, they must live outside the US for at least one year before an application is made for them to enter on an H or an L visa.

The H-1B Visa is employer specific, meaning that the holder of an H-1B Visa can only work for the sponsoring employer. In the event that a candidate for an H-1B Visa is already in the United States on an H-1B Visa for an unrelated company, the candidate may generally begin working for a subsequent employer upon the filing of an H-1B petition by the second employer to transfer the H-1B Visa. If the H-1B petition to transfer the visa to the second company is denied, then work authorization immediately ceases.

In the event that the candidate for an H-1B Visa is outside of the United States, then the candidate cannot begin working for the employer until the H-1B petition is approved, the candidate applies for and obtains and H-1B Visa from a US Consulate, and the candidate enters the United States on the H-1B Visa.

The time that it takes to obtain an H-1B Visa can vary greatly. It generally takes between 4 to 12 weeks for the INS to make a decision on an application, although it may take longer.

Green Card

A Permanent Resident Alien Card, or "Green Card," allows a foreign national to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis.

There are three steps to the Green Card process:

Labor Certification (ETA 750 Application for Alien Labor Certification)
Preference Petition (I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
Final Application for Permanent Residence (I-485 Application for Adjustment of Status)

Obtaining a Green Card is often a lengthy and time-consuming process. This section is meant to provide a general overview of the steps involved.

Step 1: Labor Certification Form ETA-750 Parts A & B
Labor Certification is the first step of the Green Card process. In the Green Card process, the sponsoring company is seeking to fill a full time position with a foreign national worker because of a shortage of qualified, available, willing and able U.S. workers.

The Application for Labor Certification is filed with a State Employment Agency. The date that the State Employment Agency receives the application is the "priority date." If the sponsoring company has sufficient evidence that it has attempted to recruit U.S. workers prior to the filing of the Application for Labor Certification, it may be able to utilize the Reduction in Recruitment (RIR) process. If not, the application will generally have to be filed as a straight Application for Labor Certification. In a straight labor case, it is necessary for the employer to advertise after the submission of the application in order to attempt to locate qualified U.S. workers.

In either case, the State Employment Agency will review the application and, if it is complete and does not contain objectionable requirements or information, the state agency will transfer the application to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL will again review the application to verify that the sponsoring company has attempted to recruit U.S. workers but has been unable to locate qualified candidates. It will also ensure, among other things, that the requirements of the position as stated on the application are not unduly restrictive. If satisfied, the DOL will certify the application.

*Estimated time to complete this step: 1 to 2 years.

Step 2: Preference Petition (Form I-140)
Upon approval of the Labor Certification, the company will file an Immigrant Petition with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

The purpose of the Immigrant Petition is for the INS to verify that the employee meets the requirements of the job as specified on the Application for Labor Certification and to ensure that the sponsoring company has the ability to pay the stated wages. If satisfied, the INS will approve the I-140 Immigrant Petition.

* Estimated time to complete this step: 4 to 10 months

Step 3: Application for Permanent Resident Status (Form I-485)
Upon approval of the Immigrant Petition, if a visa number is available for the employee, the employee will file an Application for Adjustment of Status with the INS.

Visa availability is based on the country of birth of the employee and the employee's "priority date." As noted, the priority date is set at the time of the filing of the Application for Labor Certification.

Upon approval of the Application for Adjustment of Status and completion of some final steps, the employee will be a U.S. permanent resident alien and will receive his or her Green Card in the mail shortly thereafter.

* Estimated time to complete this step: 10 months to 1 and half years

Instructions on Green Card Processing

Green Card applications can be initiated only by Dibon. If you are a Dibon employee and would like more information, please contact your Account Manager.

TN Visa

Only citizens of Canada and Mexico are eligible under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to qualify for TN status. To qualify, the applicant must be coming to the United States to perform services at a professional level in one of the occupations that are designated under NAFTA.

In the computer field, the occupations that may qualify include Computer Systems Analyst, Management Consultant, Scientific Technician/Technologist and Software Engineer.

TN status is granted for a period of up to 1 year with unlimited extensions of stay in increments of 1 year thereafter. TN status is employer-specific.

Canadians may be admitted to the United States under TN status without first obtaining a TN Visa at a U.S. Consulate. Canadians may apply for TN status at an appropriate port of entry, or for a Canadian lawfully present in the United States, a US employer may file a petition with the INS to extend TN status or to change the individual's status to TN.

For Mexican citizens, petitions for TN status must be filed by the US employer with the INS. If outside of the United States, Mexicans must also apply for a TN Visa at a US Consulate before entering the U.S.

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Dibon provides medical to full-time employees who are regularly scheduled to work at least 40 hours per week. Employees may select the coverage that is best suited to their individual or family's needs from a wide variety of medical and dental options. And, they get "benefit dollars" from Dibon to help pay for coverage. Dibon's comprehensive coverage covers not only our employees, but also their family members. Preventing small health concerns from becoming major problems is an important aspect of Dibon's quality coverage. Preventive care-coverage and low-cost prescription co-pays ensures health employees-a-win-win situation for both Dibon and its workers.
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Dibon provides life and accident insurance benefits to full-time eligible employees regularly scheduled to work at least 40 hours per week. Eligible employees may design the custom coverage they need. And, Dibon provides you with "benefit dollars' to help pay for your coverage. Your options for coverage include:
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In the United States, employees have the opportunity to participate in benefit plans that are designed to help them prepare future financial needs:
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All full-time employees who are regularly scheduled to work 40 hours or more a week are eligible for vacation pay. Eligibility for vacation time is based on the calendar year and how long they have worked for Dibon. Because Dibon is a service company, holidays at specific offices may vary. Dibon employees can check with their Manager for their holiday schedule. All salaried employees are eligible for holiday pay. In addition to holidays and vacation, Dibon employees are also provided with a "diversity day" that they may use to acknowledge one day of significance to them. The diversity day is a paid day off and may be requested anytime during the calendar year. Religious holidays, days with special friends and birthdays are common observances.
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The purpose of the Dibon Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is to align training to the business of Dibon and to assist eligible, full-time employees in their educational advancement. The program provides a consistent policy and procedures for application and administration of tuition assistance to eligible employees, and serves as an attraction, development, and retention incentive.
New Vehicle Purchase Program:
The New Vehicle Purchase Program lets eligible Dibon employees in the United States buy new vehicles under special discounted purchase options. Leasing arrangements also are available.
Vehicle Lease Programs:
Eligible Employees are offered leased vehicles fully paid by the company. For eligibility, please contact your Manager.
Educational Financing:
Dibon offers an educational financing resource for higher education for eligible employees.
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Tax Preparation
Our In-house financial Consultants and CPA's can help you prepare your yearly Tax returns and guide you on New tax laws and policies.
Green Card Processing
The processing of green cards is done for the convenience of our employees. All the H1B or L1 Employees in United States are encouraged to apply for Permanent Residency (Green Card) in US. Talk to your Technical Manager for the Green Card packet and legal help.
Wisdom Basket
As each individual is different, this exciting benefit gives Dibon employees the flexibility to be generously reimbursed for educational purposes. From on-site speakers, training classes and home based computers to gym memberships, fitness tapes or professional memberships, Dibon invites heavily in educational compensation.
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