USCIS has published a new M-274, Handbook for Employers: Guidance for Completing Form I-9. It has been updated to reflect the latest I-9 form, which is a “smart” form with prompts to ensure information is accurate, along with drop-down menus.

There are several useful changes to the Handbook. The new I-9 form includes an Additional Information space. The Handbook elaborates that this space allows for annotations of special circumstances, including: STEM OPT, CAP GAP, AC-21, and 240 day work authorization extensions, employee termination dates, form retention dates, among several others.

A new section of the Handbook details the rules and procedures for automatic extension for employment authorization documents (EAD) in certain circumstances. This is an important change that accounts for a new rule of automatic EAD extensions, which took effect January 17, 2017.

The Handbook also features an updated table for Receipts and elaborates on the process for Receipts. It clarifies document retention policies for copies of the employee’s documents.

Please find the Handbook available at: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/m-274.pdf

Highlights of the changes are available at:
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Verification/E-Verify/E-Verify_Native_Documents/E-Verify%20Manuals%20and%20Guides/M-274TableofChanges.pdf

Employers with I-9 questions can also contact a Klasko Law attorney.