Form I-9 and the Sunset of Deferred Physical Inspection Flexibilities

Are you dealing with deferred I-9 records from COVID? Mitratech’s Tracker I-9 team is here to help!

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and physical proximity precautions, under certain circumstances, employers could choose to inspect documents “virtually,” provided the employer physically inspected the documents at a later date.

That later date is now known. On May 4, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the official sunset date for COVID-19-related Form I-9 physical document inspection flexibilities. As of July 31, 2023, and going forward, employers have 30 days after the temporary rule expires, or until August 30, 2023, to complete an in-person verification of all employee documents that were virtually verified since March 2020.

It's important to note that employers can start physically inspecting employee documents that were initially reviewed virtually before July 31, 2023. In fact, employers are encouraged to start the physical document inspection as soon as possible to meet the August 30, 2023, deadline.

Download this guide for insight on:

- How to prepare
- Mitratech’s Tracker I-9 solution
- How to verify a remote hire’s Form I-9 with Tracker I-9’s Remote Verification Network Alliance