Form I-9 Changes and E-Verify Updates: What Employers Need to Know for 2025

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced minor yet significant changes to Form I-9, “Employment Eligibility Verification,” and updates to the E-Verify system. Here’s what employers should know about these Form I-9 changes and E-Verify updates:

• Revised Form I-9 is ready to use with a new expiration date
• Employers should be aware of changes in Section 1, revised descriptions within the Lists of Acceptable Documents, and updated instructions
• E-Verify reflects updated statutory language as of April 3, 2025, such as new language within E-Verify for the citizenship status selection
• Employers using E-Verify+ will see updated forms
• There are new web services compliance requirements for employers to know

Read more below for a detailed overview of these changes, along with best practices to ensure compliance.

Key Updates to Form I-9

The revised Form I-9, with an edition date of 01/20/25 and an expiration date of 05/31/2027, is now available for use. Employers should note the following:

1. Edition Validity:
   • The 08/01/23 edition remains valid until 05/31/2027.
   • Employers using the 08/01/23 edition with a 07/31/2026 expiration date must update their systems by July 31, 2026, to reflect the new expiration date of 5/31/2027.
2. Changes in Section 1:
   • The fourth checkbox in Section 1 has been renamed from “A noncitizen authorized to work” to “An alien authorized to work.”
3. List B Document Descriptions:
   • Revised descriptions for two documents in the Lists of Acceptable Documents.
   • The term “gender” has been replaced with “sex,” and an additional notation has been added for option 2 – ID Card.
4. Updated Instructions:
   • Statutory language and a revised DHS Privacy Notice have been added.

E-Verify System Updates

Starting April 3, 2025, E-Verify will reflect the updated statutory language:

1. Citizenship Status Selection:
   • “A noncitizen authorized to work” will be replaced by “An alien authorized to work” during case creation.
   • Employer Responsibilities:
     1. If an employee attests as “A noncitizen authorized to work” on Form I-9, employers must select “An alien authorized to work” in E-Verify.
     2. E-Verify cases will display “An alien authorized to work,” even if older editions of Form I-9 still show the previous terminology.

2. E-Verify+ Enhancements:
   • Employers using E-Verify+ will see updated forms reflecting the new edition date (01/20/25) and expiration date (05/31/2027).
3. Web Services Compliance:
   • Moreover, when E-Verify users create cases through Web Services applications, the employee status attestation will automatically update to “An alien authorized to work,” even if the WS application submits “A noncitizen authorized to work,” provided the employee selected citizenship status number four on Form I-9.
   • Web Services developers must update platforms to transmit “An alien authorized to work” instead of the outdated terminology.

Employers should take the following steps to ensure compliance:

• Continue using valid editions of Form I-9 until their respective expiration dates.
• Update electronic systems with the latest expiration date by July 31, 2026.
• Train HR staff on the updated terminology and procedural changes.
• Provide employees with access to updated instructions and Lists of Acceptable Documents during onboarding.
• Ensure that your E-Verify system reflects the statutory language changes.
• For Web Services users, align with Interface Control Agreement (ICA) version 31.1 guidance.

These updates may seem minor, but they are crucial for maintaining compliance with federal employment verification laws. Employers should familiarize themselves with these changes, update their systems promptly, and train staff accordingly to avoid penalties that can reach up to $28,619 per violation in 2025.