Forms are a vital part of the immigration and employment verification process, and at the offices of Buhler Thomas Law, P.C., our immigration lawyers are fully in tune with all forms that may need to be filled out. We’re also on top of regular changes that may take place to these forms, and what they mean.
One such big change that occurred recently was a revised version of form I-9, the Employment Eligibility Verification form – one of the most important ones out there. Here are the basics of the changes, and some details you may need to know.
Basics and Dates
Here are a few of the basics to know about these changes:
- The revised version of the I-9 form is eligible to begin being used immediately. However, it must have begun use by no later than September 18, 2017.
- Employers can use previous I-9 forms with a revision date of 11/14/16 N through September 17, 2017.
- All previous storage and retention rules that were in place will continue in their entirety for employers for any previously completed I-9 forms.
All these changes, plus those below, can be found in the newly revised Handbook for Employers: Guidance for Completing Form I-9 (M-274).
Revisions to Instructions
There have been two specific changes to Form I-9 instructions:
- A name change has taken place. The former Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) has now been altered to be titled the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (EIR).
- The instructions in Section 2 of the form have been altered. They now read: “Employers or their authorized representative must complete and sign Section 2 within 3 business days of the employee’s first day of employment.
Related Revisions
There are two revisions related to the List of Acceptable Documents:
- The Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) was added as a List C document. In addition, all certifications of report of birth issued by the Department of State (Forms FS-545, DS-1350 and FS-240) have been combined.
- List C documents have been renumbered, with the exception of Social Security card, which remains first on the list.
To learn more about important form changes, or to find out about any of our other immigration attorney services, contact the offices of Buhler Thomas Law, P.C. today.