New Form I-9 Effective For All Employers

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Effective January 22, 2017, employers may no longer use prior editions and must move forward with the latest versions dated 11/14/2016.

The new version of the Form I-9 is quite similar to the prior edition, although some fields have been updated and the instructions have been revised.

In a news release, USCIS pointed to these changes made in the new version. Section 1, for example, asks for "other last names used" rather than "other names used," and streamlines certification for certain foreign nationals. Other changes include the addition of prompts to ensure information is entered correctly; the ability to enter multiple preparers and translators; a dedicated area for including additional information rather than having to add it in the margins; and a supplemental page for the preparer/translator.

The instructions, which have been separated from the form in keeping with other USCIS forms, also include specific instructions for completing each field. The revised Form I-9 is also easier to complete on a computer, according to USCIS. Enhancements include drop-down lists and calendars for filling in dates, on-screen instructions for each field, easy access to the full instructions, and an option to clear the form and start over. When the employer prints the completed form, a quick response (QR) code is automatically generated, which can be read by most QR readers.

The new Form I-9 can be accessed on the USCIS website.