Federal law requires that every employer who recruits, refers for a fee, or hires an individual for employment in the U.S. must complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
We would like to remind clients that beginning January 22, 2017, employers must use the new version of the Form I-9, which is dated 11/14/2016 N. Employers may not use previous versions of the form on or after January 22, 2017.
USCIS implemented changes to the form in an effort to reduce errors, improve computer-generated data population, and streamline certification. Among other changes, the new form contains prompts to ensure information is entered correctly, and contains a dedicated area for including additional information, rather than having to add it in the margins. It also provides helpful abbreviations of the names of documents presented by employees and new hires to complete the Form I-9.
Please also note that USCIS promises to publish an updated M-274 Handbook for Employers: Guidance for Completing Form I-9. We expect the updated M-274 will be revised to include information relevant to the latest Form I-9. Until the release of the new handbook, employers may continue to rely on the guidance published in the current M-274.
You may also wish to visit the USCIS’s I-9 Central Web page for additional information. Mintz Levin attorneys stand ready to assist our clients with any questions regarding the new Form I-9.
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