The new Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 Form

The Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 Form is issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of Homeland Security. It’s essentially how employers verify an employee’s identity and establishes that the worker is eligible to accept employment in the United States.

 By completing the I-9 Form, a prospective employee suggests he or she meets one of the four categories listed below (under penalty of perjury):

• A United States citizen
• A non-United States citizen national
• A lawful permanent resident
• An alien authorized to work

 With completion of the I-9 Form, employers are required to verify that all newly-hired employees present “facially valid” documentation (a driver’s license for most people) that verifies the employee’s identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.

 Now, the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form is changing again, effective January 21, 2017. After January 21, 2017, all previous versions of the I-9 Form will be invalid.

 One thing to remember. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services previously announced a new I-9 Form that would become effective on March 31^st of this year. But they later announced that deadline has been extended and informed all employers to continue using the previous I-9 Form.

 The new I-9 Fom (the real new one that must be used by January 21, 2017) has not been published yet. All we know now is that it will be published and made public by November 22^nd of this year (just about 2 months from now).

 We will share another update with the link to get the form once it becomes available. Furthermore, all Complete Payroll clients will be notified directly. Until then, there’s nothing to do but be aware that a change to the I-9 Form is coming, and any new hires in 2017 will not be accepted if they don’t complete the new Form.

 If you have any questions about the new Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 Form, or anything else related to payroll or taking care of your employees, get in touch with us. We’re always quick to lend a hand!

 Also, you can read more about the new I-9 form right on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.