Beginning January 22, 2017, Employers must use the new Form I-9 when hiring a new employee. The new form is dated 11/14/2016. The old form (dated 03/08/2013) will not be acceptable for a date of hire after January 22, 2017. The old and new forms are not too different. Regarding the new form, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) states as follows:

“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.
• 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.”

If you have questions about the new Form I-9 or other immigration questions, feel free to contact me at gkrebs@wyattfirm.com or 859-288-7409. We are also available to train your employees on the proper use of Form I-9 and to conduct in-house I-9 audits.