Last Updated on February 10, 2020

Employers Must Begin Using New Form I-9 by May 1

On Jan. 31, 2020, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a new version of Form I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification. The previous version of this form expired Aug. 31, 2019, but USCIS advised employers to continue using the expired form until a new form was made available.

Transition Period for New I-9

With the new form, USCIS has also clarified that employers have the option of initially using either the expired or the new Form I-9. However, employers must begin using the new form exclusively by May 1, 2020.

What’s Different about this I-9?

The paper version of the new form has not changed, but the electronic form shows a few minor changes. Specifically, the new form:

• Lists additional countries (Eswatini and Macedonia) in the country of issuance field;
• Clarifies who can act as an authorized employer representative;
• Updates the USCIS website address;
• Clarifies the list of acceptable documents;
• Updates the process for requesting paper versions of the form; and
• Updates the privacy notice from the Department of Homeland Security.

Employers may continue using the prior version
of the form (Rev. 07/17/2017 N) until April 30, 2020.

 

New Expiration Date for the I-9

The new Form I-9 was approved by the Office of Management and Budget on Oct. 21, 2019 and has a new expiration date of Oct. 31, 2022.