Local Employment Policy Handbook - ICASS

Note: Most MOHs are Ordinarily Resident, so HR should confirm the residency status of MOHs as NOR
by verifying their status as exempt from local labor law. If further assistance is needed, HR may contact
the International HR Manager in HR/OE/HRM.
Other non-US Citizens in country with diplomatic status and immunities and privileges (such as family
members of diplomats of other countries), or any other individual whom HR believes may qualify as a
NOR must have a US Social Security Number and not be living temporarily or permanently in the country
where they hold citizenship. HR may contact the International HR Manager in HR/OE/HRM for
assistance in determining the appropriate residency of these individuals.
Note: Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers – ITINS – are not acceptable for employment as a
NOR with compensation from the American pay plan. There is no exception to this policy.
C. Third Country National (TCN) – The applicant is a non-US Citizen hired from abroad and brought to
post at US Government expense. A TCN works under a bureau-drafted contract or agreement that
includes being sent back to the country of hire at USG expense (repatriation). A TCN is paid under the
Mission’s Local Compensation Plan. Note: Some TCNs are hired in country, but when this happens, the
employing agency is accepting another agency’s or organization’s agreement to send the TCN back to the
country of hire.
After HR determines residency, the individual must sign and date the Local Employment Compensation
Worksheet. If the individual refuses to sign and date the worksheet, HR must immediately withdraw the
offer of employment and terminate the hiring processing. Under no circumstances may HR hire anyone
without a signed and dated Compensation Worksheet.
HR’s or HR/OE/HRM’s decision on the residency status is final and is not subject to appeal or formal
grievance through the LE Staff Grievance policy.
Determining Residency
In most cases, HR can easily determine the residency status of OR or NOR. The most important factor is
whether the candidate comes under local labor law for purposes of employment, regardless if the host
country actively enforces the law or “will look the other way.” If yes, then Ordinarily Resident is always
the right selection.
Family Members of Contractors
There are two main types of contractors working at the Mission:
A. Domestic Contractor – A US-based headquarters agency hire in response to a Vacancy Announcement
the headquarters agency issues from the US. The contractor travels to post on a diplomatic passport with
full immunities and privileges. The family members of these contractors, if included on the travel orders
and if also traveling with a diplomatic passport, are NOR. A non-US Citizen family member must have a
US Social Security Number for compensation as NOR from an American pay plan.