Employers must use updated Form I-9, employer handbook

The new version of the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification will be required starting May 1, and the M-274 handbook for employers has been updated.

Key points:

• Starting May 1, employers are only permitted to use the new version of Form I-9 (dated 10/21/2019) and can no longer use prior versions. The new version was phased in, and employers had been allowed to use either the new version or the previous version (dated 07/17/2017) since Jan. 31.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has also updated its M-274 Handbook for Employers, which is the primary source of guidance for employers on how to properly complete the Form I-9 and comply with other requirements related to employment eligibility verification.

BAL Analysis: As of Thursday, employers should make sure that they are no longer using the previous version of the Form I-9 and are only using the new, required version by confirming the date on the bottom left corner of the page. Employers should also refer to the updated version of the M-274 Handbook for guidance on completing the Form I-9.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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