U.S. gov't delays new employment eligibility rules

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has delayed the implementation of the new Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.

The new form will go live in April 3, 2009, so that the government has more time to consider the new rules and absorb reviews from outside sources. The closing date for public comments will be closed on March 4.

The new rule is hoped to combat the high levels of people working in the country without a visa for America, by enforcing employers to complete a form for all new employees that process their legal status as an American worker.

The new rules also clamp down on the types of identification accepted by the USCIS, such as prohibiting the use of expired passports or driver's licences.

These rules, the Documents Acceptable for Employment Eligibility Verification, will also come into action on April 3.

The American Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in American visa and immigration services.