U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a proposal for a newly updated version of the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification in the Federal Register. USCIS is inviting the public to provide comments on the proposal until May 31st, 2022, before the new form is finalized.

When the new Form I-9 is finalized, the USCIS will announce the date upon which employers will be required to transition to the new form.

A major goal of the updated form is to make it easier to understand and complete. Currently, the USCIS estimates that reading the instructions, completing the Form I-9, and storing it appropriately takes employers about 35 minutes for those completing it on paper and 26 minutes if it is done electronically. With the new form, the USCIS estimates it can reduce the time it takes by about a minute no matter which method the employer chooses to use.

The primary changes suggested by the USCIS include:

Compressing Sections 1 and 2 in order to place them on a single page dubbed “Main Form.” This is intended to reduce paper waste and make it easier for employers to store. Converting Section 3 to a “Reverification and Rehire Supplement,” which offers 3 distinct areas for verification and rehire within 3 years of the initial completion of the Form I-9. This will allow employers to only print and complete the document as a supplement if and when it is needed.

Condense instructions from 15 pages to 7 pages, making them easier to read and cutting paper waste.

Updating the List of Acceptable Documents to include additional information concerning List C documents and acceptable receipts provided in 8CFR 274a.2(b)(1)(vi)(A-C).

Removing all PDF enhancements that might restrict the devices an employer could use to complete the form.

Employers who wish to comment on these updates may read the instructions and file a comment on the Federal Register Notice until May 31st.

As these updates show, the constantly shifting requirements of Form I-9 can be difficult for employers to keep up with. The best way to reduce the burden is with an electronic I-9 management tool. This can guide hiring personnel through the process to quickly and easily complete the Form I-9 and securely store it ensuring compliance with federal requirements.

Our I-9 Compliance tool will help quickly verify your employment eligibility automatically.

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