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HR Shared Services

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Mission (Who We Are)
HR Shared Services efficiently delivers a variety of high quality consolidated and specialized HR services to Berkeley Lab’s diverse community through exceptional customer service, collaborative partnerships, continuous process improvement, and deployment of innovative technology solutions.

Vision (What We Aspire to Be)
As a key operations service provider, HR Shared Services plays an integral role enabling Berkeley Lab to achieve its scientific and operational goals.  In our ongoing commitment to the quality delivery of integrated best practice service, we are highly regarded by our customers and business partners as a trusted resource and a model for reliable, efficient, effective, high quality, and value-added HR services.

How Can We Help You Today?
You’ve come to the right place, whether you’re a prospective employee, a current employee, a manager or one of our HR service delivery partners. Simply click on any of the services listed above to get more information or initiate a request. An HR Shared Services team member will assist you or fulfill your request.

 

Related Resources

  • International Services

    Click on any of the following links to download these forms. You can then view them, save them on your computer, fill them out in your word processor and print them, or print blank forms to be filled out later. To preserve the formatting of the RTF forms, you must use a Mac or PC on which MS-Word v.5.1 or later is installed. Most forms are available in Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format). Check the USCIS forms page for more forms and information. Request for Non-U.S. Citizen or Non-U.S. Permanent Resident: for unclassified visit or assignment. If an affiliate is from a "sensitive country" (see list), do not initiate affiliate processing. Instead, visit the Affiliate Processing web page for instructions.
    If you are entering the U.S. as a visiting researcher or employee who will receive compensation from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, you must visit a U.S Embassy or Consulate outside the U.S. to obtain a U.S.Visa Stamp in your passport before your departure. The Visa Waiver Program has restrictions -- the bearer (WT, waiver for tourism, or WB, waiver for business) may not receive any salary; the status may not be extended; and the status may not be changed within the U.S. to any other immigration classification. Visa Status Documents and Applications To be downloaded, completed, printed and signed by international visitor. Fax completed documents and requested attachments to (510) 486-7563.

    Forms for Administrative Services Personnel Only

    Insurance Information and Agreement Form

    Tax Forms Are Available At The Following Locations:
    Federal Tax Forms: Publication 519, Tax Guide for Aliens 
    Publication 597, U.S. and Canada Tax Treaty 
    Publication 901, Tax TreatiesInternal Revenue Service 
    Federal Building 
    1301 Clay Street 
    Oakland, CA 94612 
    Telephone: (510) 839-1040    		 California State Tax Forms:Franchise Tax Board 
    1970 Broadway, Suite 550 
    Oakland, CA 94612 
    Telephone: (800) 852-5711

    • Berkeley Lab’s Quick Guide to Hiring/Hosting International Scholars (J-1 Visa)

      J-1 Visa

      For exchange visitors participating in programs that promote cultural and educational exchange between the U.S. and another participating nation. May be sponsored financially by Berkeley Lab, a foreign government or entity, U.S. government or entity, or self-sponsored.J-1 must show proof of funding in the amount of $1,600 for the principal; $600 for a spouse; and $300 for each child accompanying.

      Maximum Duration

      • Short-Term Scholar: No minimum, with a six-month maximum stay. Visits are short in nature. May return as a short-term scholar, provided there is a substantial break between visits and each visit has a unique objective. Can be used for collaborative research, observation, lecture, meetings, seminars, workshops, experiments, etc.
      • Research Scholar: Three-week minimum stay, up to a five-year maximum. Five years is “use or lose.”

      Cost

      • NONE for Berkeley Lab
      • Scholar pays $180 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee, as well as visa application fee (varies, but generally $190)

      Timing

      • One month at Berkeley Lab Visa and Immigration Services
      • No government processing time at the USCIS level
      • Must factor in time to receive visa stamp (if arriving from abroad). May vary from a week to several months
      • Transfers from other entities or institutions within the U.S. required careful coordination with the hire, IRSO, and the other sponsor.

      Recommended For

      • Temporary positions
      • Researchers
      • Postdoc fellows
      • Short-term scholars
      • Students from other institutions with academic training (18-36 months of degree-related training, paid or unpaid)

       Pros/Cons

      • Prior use of some J-1 categories may result in a 12-month bar from use of the Research Scholar category, or 24-month bar on repeat participation of this same category. Berkeley Lab Visa and Immigration Services will advise.
      • Prior use of any J-1 category may result in employee becoming subject to 212(e), a foreign home residency requirement that can affect future ability to secure H-1B visas and permanent residency. Visa and Immigration Services will advise.
      • Paid external employment is generally not permitted, other than occasional lectures or consulting.
      • Only in some cases can change from J-1 to permanent resident.
      • Flexibility in terms of site of activity.
      • J-2 spouses can work with Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
      • Allows for 30-day grace period at end of authorized time in U.S.

    • Berkeley Lab’s Quick Guide to Hiring/Hosting Specialty Occupation Employees (H1B Visa)

    • Federal Agencies

    • H-1B Visa Application Process at Berkeley Lab

    • J-1 Visa Application Process at Berkeley Lab

      A J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued by the U.S. Department of State to exchange visitors participating in programs that promote cultural and educational exchange. All applicants must meet eligibility criteria and be sponsored either by a private sector or government program. Berkeley Lab sponsors both the J-1 Short-Term Scholar visa category (maximum stay in the U.S. of six months), as well as the J-1 Research Scholar category (maximum stay in the U.S. of five years).
      If you have been offered employment at Berkeley Lab or will become a Berkeley Lab affiliate in the near future, a Visa and Immigration Services Advisor will contact you with the necessary information to help facilitate the J-1 visa issuance process. You will be asked to complete preliminary forms that will help your advisor create the DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility) document, which is required prior to applying for the J-1 visa stamp. If you are currently located inside the United States and are transferring your J-1 program to Berkeley Lab, a Visa and Immigration Services Advisor will help you coordinate and process the transfer. If you are a current Berkeley Lab employee holding a J-1 visa, or have questions about the J-1 visa in general, please contact a Visa and Immigration Services Advisor. For further information about the J-1 visa, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.. J-1 Visa Form: Request for DS-2019 Form for J-1 Visa Application J-1 Medical Coverage Notice: All J-1 exchange visitors (as well as their accompanying spouses and dependents) must have insurance in effect that covers them for sickness or accidents during the time of their exchange visitor program. Required coverage includes:
      • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
      • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
      • Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
      • A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
      If your employment at Berkeley Lab includes medical coverage benefits, you must select either the Kaiser plan or the Health Net Blue & Goldplan, as these are both Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans which meet the U.S. Department of State’s requirements as listed above.  If your employment at Berkeley Lab does not include medical coverage benefits, or you choose to waive Berkeley Lab offered medical benefits, please refer to the following document to help in your selection of an adequate medical plan: Optional Health Insurance Providers for J-1. Kaiser and Health Net Blue & Gold do not include Repatriation of Remains or Medical Evacuation coverage. BETINS International Health and Travel Insurance is a company which offers Repatriation of Remains and Medical Evacuation coverage as a stand-alone option. Please refer to the BETA plan, if you need to purchase only Repatriation of Remains and Medical Evacuation coverage as a supplement to your current plan.

    • Maintaining Your Status

    • New Hires and Appointment Extensions

    • Quick Guide to Hiring Foreign Nationals at Berkeley Lab

      Career Hires

      Visa Type Duration Cost
      Options H-1B* Specialty Occupation Six years max Berkeley Lab pays $2,185
      O-1 Extraordinary Ability Indefinite in three-year increments Berkeley Lab pays $2,185
      *Individuals subject to the two-year home residency requirement (from J-1/J-2) are not eligible for H-1B status until this has been satisfied or waived.

      Research Positions

      Visa Type Duration Cost
      Options J-1 Research Scholar Five years max Scholar pays Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and visa application fee
      J-1 Short-Term Scholar Six months max Scholar pays SEVIS and visa application Fee
      TN (Canadian or Mexican) Indefinite in three-year increments Border entry fee
      H-1B* Six years max Berkeley Lab pays $2,185
      *Individuals subject to the two-year home residency requirement (from J-1/J-2) are not eligible for H-1B status until this has been satisfied or waived.

      International Students Graduating from a U.S. University

      Visa Type Duration Cost
      Options F-1 Academic Student on OPT (Optional Practical Training) 12 mos. Employment in field of study. STEM to receive 24 additional months. Student pays OPT application fee.
      J-1 Student Academic Training 18 mos. Employment in field of study. 18 additional months if postdoctoral. None

    • Third Country National Visa Processing in Canada or Mexico

    • Travel Documents

    • Travel to Canada or Mexico with Expired Visa Currently in Valid Nonimmigrant Status

    • Visa and Immigration Services Hiring Manager Reference

    • Visa Waiver Information

  • Compensation Resources

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