Beginning in January, employers will be required to use a revised version of Form 1-9 for Employment Eligibility Verification. This new form, published in November by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, is designed to clarify some fields and make it easier to complete electronically.
Among the changes in the new version, Section 1 asks for “other last names used” rather than “other names used,” and streamlines certification for certain foreign nationals.
Other changes include:
- The addition of prompts to ensure information is entered correctly;
- The ability to enter multiple preparers and translators;
- A dedicated area for including additional information rather than having to add it in the margins; and
- A supplemental page for the preparer/translator.
The instructions have been separated from the form, in line with other USCIS forms, and include specific instructions for completing each field.
The revised Form I-9 is also easier to complete on a computer. Enhancements include drop-down lists and calendars for filling in dates, on-screen instructions for each field, easy access to the full instructions, and an option to clear the form and start over. When the employer prints the completed form, a quick response (QR) code is automatically generated, which can be read by most QR readers.
Employers must use the new version (dated Nov. 14, 2016), by Jan. 22, 2017. Until then, they can continue to use the version dated March 8, 2013, or the new version, which can be found here.