A new version of the employment eligibility verification form, known as the Form I-9, is about to be published. Once it is, employers must use the new version (with a version date of 10/21/2019) and phase out use of the prior version within 90 days. Use of the revised form by all employers completing the Form I-9 is mandatory after the 90 day window.
All employers must complete a Form I-9 for new hires within three days of hire. After completion, employers must maintain the Form I-9 for the duration of the employee’s employment with the company. Upon termination, the forms must be retained for three years after hire or one year after termination, whichever is later. Click here to read more on retention of the Form I-9 post termination. Employers must use the current version of the Form I-9 as instructed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The new Form I-9 will have a revision date of 10/21/2019 in the bottom left hand corner of the form. Employers will be allowed to use the prior version for 90 days after publication in the Federal Register. There are no substantive changes to the paper Form I-9, however there are two country additions to the “fillable” Form I-9 that USCIS offers employers on its website. There are changes to the Form I-9 instructions, including clarifications to who an authorized representative is and updates to the process to request the paper Form I-9.
To view the Federal Register notice click here or click here.