In August 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released a new I-9 form but has only made it mandatory for all employers as of November 2023. Pinion advisors have outlined FAQs and important updates to know about the new form.
I-9 Form FAQ
What is the purpose of the I-9 form?
The I-9 form is the Employment Eligibility Verification Form required by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to verify identity and eligibility to work. It ensures that employers are only hiring people who are legally allowed to work in the U.S.
Who must complete the I-9 form?
The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires all U.S. employers to complete a Form I-9 verifying eligibility to work in the U.S. for every employee hired after Nov. 6, 1986. All U.S. employers, regardless of size, must comply with Form I-9 requirements.
The new I-9 does not make any new changes to employer or employee obligations involved in the verification of work authorization. Employers do not need to complete a new Form I-9 for current employees who already have a properly completed Form I-9 on file unless reverification applies to them after October 31, 2023.
What is the reporting period?
Starting November 1, 2023, employers must use the most current version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, which has an edition date of 8-1-23.
What changed?
Form I-9 was redesigned to be fillable on tablets and mobile devices and now includes a checkbox that allows certain employers to indicate they examined Form I-9 documentation remotely under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s new alternative procedure rather than via physical examination.
Cosmetic changes include the reduction of Sections 1 and 2 to a single page, slight revisions to the Lists of Acceptable Documents, and a new box that eligible employers must check if the employee’s documents were examined remotely under the newly authorized alternative procedure for qualified E-Verify employers.
For more information and to download the new I-9 form, visit Employment Eligibility Verification or connect with a Pinion advisor for more guidance.
