Google has informed employees that it intends to resume and sharply expand U.S. green card filings under the PERM labor certification process in 2026. The move signals a clear change in the company’s immigration approach after a three year halt, Business Insider reported.
The update was shared with employees in an internal newsletter circulated in December. It follows Google’s decision to largely freeze PERM applications in January 2023, when the company announced global layoffs that impacted about 12,000 workers. That halt deepened uncertainty for many tech professionals in the U.S. on temporary visas, especially those on H-1B status.
An internal memo reviewed by Business Insider said the company plans to start scaling up PERM filings next year, with eligible employees set to be contacted by Google’s outside immigration counsel in the first quarter of 2026. A Google spokesperson declined to comment on the strategy publicly.
READ: USCIS policy change alters green card path for children of H-1B visa holders (
Google had drastically cut back on PERM sponsorship during the broader tech slowdown, a period when mass layoffs made it more difficult for companies to satisfy the program’s labor market rules. Other industry giants such as Amazon and Meta took similar steps, scaling back or suspending green card sponsorships at the time. Since then, Google is to have filed PERM applications for only a limited number of workers.
The memo lays out tight eligibility rules for the 2026 restart. To qualify, employees must hold positions that require a degree and prior experience, be based out of a Google office, and remain in good standing with the company. Those working remotely will have to move to an office location to be considered.
It also states that employees at Level 3 roles or lower are unlikely to clear the bar. Applicants must have earned at least a “moderate impact” rating in their annual performance reviews.
The development comes as visa dependent tech workers in the U.S. face mounting hurdles, from increased H-1B fees to longer processing backlogs. In recent months, Google’s outside immigration firm, BAL Immigration Law, has advised some employees to avoid traveling abroad if they need fresh visa stamps.
“Please be aware that some US Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months,” according to the memo.
PERM, or Program Electronic Review Management, is a U.S. Department of Labor system that employers use to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency. For employees on temporary visas, it is a key gateway to a green card, requiring companies to show that bringing in a foreign worker does not undercut U.S. wages or job opportunities.
PERM approval is a necessary step before an employee can move forward in the employment-based green card process, which makes it a particularly sensitive matter for companies during layoffs or hiring freezes.