2025 Updates to Form I-9 and E-Verify

On April 2, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) made adjustments to Form I-9. These revisions were made to ensure the form accurately reflects statutory language and to modify the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Privacy Notice. E-Verify was updated on April 3, 2025, to reflect the updated statutory language, providing new status selections during case creation.

Key changes explained

On Form I-9, employees must confirm their employment authorization and provide the necessary documentation to verify their identity and work authorization. The recent revisions were made to support the intent of the form. Here is an overview of the changes that employers should be aware of:

• Relevant statutory language and updated DHS Privacy Notice language were added to the instructions.
• Descriptions were updated for two List B documents in the Lists of Acceptable Documents.
• The fourth checkbox in Section 1 was renamed “An alien authorized to work.”

What this means for employees and employers

The instructional and document description amendments aim to simplify the form completion process. As mentioned, the E-Verify platform has updated the Citizenship Status selection language: “A noncitizen authorized to work” is now listed as “An alien authorized to work.” Simple enough, but there are a few moving parts for employers to be aware of with the latest changes in effect.

• Multiple form versions are still circulating: Because several form editions are still in use, there may be a phrasing discrepancy between what is displayed on E-Verify versus Form I-9 (“An alien authorized to work” shows on E-Verify cases, while certain versions of the form may still read “A noncitizen authorized to work”).

As of May 2025, there are two previous editions circulating that will remain valid until their corresponding expiration dates:

• • Form I-9 (created 08/01/2023): Valid until 05/31/2027
  • Form I-9 electronic edition (created 08/01/2023): Expires 07/31/2026
  • Employers are required to update their electronic systems with the 05/31/2027 expiration date no later than July 31, 2026.
• Citizenship status selection can vary: When an employee elects “A noncitizen authorized to work” on their Form I-9, the employer must select “An alien authorized to work” in E-Verify.

Additional information about Form I-9

Form I-9, as defined by USCIS, is used “to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.” The form requires input from both employees and employers (or their designated representatives). U.S. employers are required to complete this form for every individual they hire in the United States—including citizens and aliens.

Employers are required to retain and store Form I-9 information for 3 years following the date of hire or for one year after employment termination, whichever period is more recent. Authorized U.S. government officials from the Departments of Labor, Justice, or Homeland Security may request these documents for review at any time, so employers must have these forms ready and available for inspection.

If any employment-related forms or policies undergo updates in the future, Verified Credentials will attempt to keep you informed as soon as new information becomes available.

This content is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute legal opinion or advice. Consult your legal counsel to ensure compliance.