What Is Form I-9?
Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, is a mandatory United States federal form that employers must use to verify the identity and legal authorization of every individual hired to work in the US, administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Why Form I-9 Is Included in an India-Focused HR Glossary
While Form I-9 is a US-specific compliance requirement (with no equivalent role in Indian domestic employment law), it's highly relevant for Indian HR professionals working at multinational companies with US subsidiaries, or Indian IT/consulting firms placing employees on US assignments, who need working knowledge of US onboarding compliance.
Key Requirements of Form I-9
- Must be completed for every new employee hired to work in the United States, regardless of citizenship status
- Requires the employee to provide specific documents establishing identity and work authorization (such as a US passport, or a combination of other accepted documents)
- Must be completed within specific timeframes relative to the employee's start date
- Employers must retain completed I-9 forms for a specified retention period and make them available for inspection if required
Why This Matters for Global HR Teams
Indian HR teams supporting US-based hiring or global mobility functions need to understand that I-9 compliance is entirely separate from Indian statutory onboarding requirements, and failure to properly complete and retain I-9 documentation can result in significant penalties for the US entity.
Form I-9: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Form I-9 apply to Indian employees working remotely for a US company from India?
Who completes Form I-9 — the employer or the employee?
This glossary entry is for general information and reflects common HR practice in India at the time of writing. Statutory thresholds, rates and deadlines change — verify against the latest official notifications or consult a qualified legal or tax advisor before acting.