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The I-9 form, or Employment Eligibility Verification, is a document that must be completed by U.S. employers for each employee (citizen or non-citizen) hired after November 6, 1986. It was introduced as part of The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of the same year, with its intent to verify the identity and legal authorization to work of all paid employees in the United States.
When completing the form, an employee must attest to their legal employment authorization and must present acceptable documents that confirm their identity and employment eligibility. Some of the documents can be: Green Card, EAD, or U.S passport, etc.
It is required that the employer must examine the employment eligibility and employment documents presented, to “determine whether the document(s) reasonably appear to be genuine and to relate to the employee the document information on the form I-9.”
Employers must retain an employee’s I-9 for three years after the date they are hired, or for one year after the employee leaves employment, whichever is later. The forms must also be made available for inspection if requested by authorized U.S. government officials.
Visit this link to read more about the I-9 form, and see the frequently asked questions.
Also read: Visa H-2B: a program for temporary jobs in the US
