In a major policy shift, Google has informed its workforce that it plans to restart and significantly increase applications for US green cards through the Department of Labor's PERM program in the year 2026. This move ends a three-year freeze on the process that the tech giant initiated during widespread layoffs in early 2023.
What is the PERM Program Google is Restarting?
The Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) is a crucial US Department of Labor process. It allows companies like Google to sponsor foreign employees for permanent residency, commonly known as a green card. This is a vital pathway for skilled professionals on temporary work visas, such as the H-1B, to secure the right to live and work permanently in the United States. A core requirement of the PERM process is for the employer to prove that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact the job opportunities or wages of American citizens.
Why Did Google Halt the PERM Process Earlier?
Google, along with other tech majors like Amazon and Meta, paused new PERM applications in January 2023. This decision coincided with the company announcing layoffs of approximately 12,000 employees. With the US job market suddenly flooded with experienced tech talent, it became exceedingly difficult for these firms to meet the PERM program's strict mandate of proving no qualified American worker was available for the sponsored roles. Since the pause, Google has only filed PERM applications for a very select few employees, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Strict Eligibility Criteria for Google's 2026 PERM Drive
According to an internal memo reviewed by Business Insider, Google has outlined a stringent set of rules for employees who wish to be considered for PERM sponsorship in 2026. The company's outside immigration lawyers are expected to reach out to eligible staff in the first quarter of that year.
The key eligibility requirements include:
- The employee's role must require a university degree and prior relevant work experience.
- The staff member must be based out of a Google office. Remote workers will need to agree to transfer to an office location to qualify.
- The employee must be in good standing with the company and have received at least a "Moderate Impact" (MI) rating in their most recent annual performance review.
- Workers in Level 3 roles or below are considered less likely to meet the requirements.
This announcement comes at a time of heightened anxiety for tech workers on visas. They are grappling with increased H-1B visa fees and significant delays in visa stamping at US consulates worldwide. In a related advisory, Google's external immigration lawyers, BAL Immigration Law, recently warned employees on H-1B and other visas to avoid international travel if they need a new visa stamp to re-enter the US. The memo cited appointment backlogs at embassies and consulates causing delays of up to 12 months, risking employees getting stranded overseas.
Google's decision to resume green card sponsorships is therefore seen as a significant, though carefully controlled, positive signal for its international talent amidst a challenging immigration landscape.
