Employers are required to have employees complete Form I-9 when onboarding an employee. This is the federal government’s mechanism for ensuring that employers only hire individuals with employment authorization. The Form I-9 has been around since 1986. As of August 1, 2023, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new Form I-9. Employers may use the current version of the Form I-9 (edition dated 10/19/2019) until October 31, 2023. Thereafter, employers must use the 8/1/2023 edition.
One welcome change to the Form I-9 process is an option for employers to verify employee documents remotely. Other than special accommodations made during the COVID-19 pandemic, employers were required to verify all employee documentation in person. With the announcement of the new Form I-9, the government is allowing employers who have signed up for the E-Verify program to verify documents remotely.
For complete details on how to complete the Form I-9, please check the latest version of the USCIS M-274 Handbook for Employers. For the latest Form I-9 news, please check www.uscis.gov/i-9 central/form-i-9-related-news. The above information has been provided for educational purposes only; please contact your Clark Lau LLC attorney for how these details apply to your circumstances.