Google has informed employees that it will resume and significantly ramp up Green Card applications through the PERM process in 2026, ending a pause that has lasted
nearly three years. The move marks a shift in the company’s immigration approach after it halted the process in early 2023 amid large-scale layoffs. According to a report by Business Insider, the update was shared with employees through Google’s December internal newsletter. The decision comes at a time when uncertainty remains high for tech workers in the US who are on temporary visas. What is the PERM process? PERM, short for Program Electronic Review Management, is a US Department of Labor process that allows employers to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency. It is a key step for employees on temporary visas such as H-1B who are seeking a Green Card. Under PERM rules, companies must prove that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect job opportunities, wages, or working conditions for US workers. This makes the process particularly strict during periods of high unemployment. Why Google paused PERM applications in 2023 Google suspended most PERM applications in January 2023, the same month it laid off around 12,000 employees. At the time, the US job market was flooded with laid-off tech workers, making it harder for companies to justify hiring foreign nationals under PERM requirements. Other tech giants, including Amazon and Meta, took similar steps during that period. Since then, Google has reportedly filed PERM applications for only a very limited number of employees. Who will be eligible for PERM in 2026? According to an internal memo reviewed by Business Insider, Google has set strict eligibility criteria for employees who want to apply under PERM in 2026. To qualify:
- Employees must work in roles that require a degree and prior work experience
- They must be based out of a Google office; remote employees will need to relocate to an office location
- Applicants must be in good standing and have at least a “moderate impact” (MI) rating in performance reviews
- Employees at Level 3 roles or below are less likely to meet the criteria
Eligible employees will be contacted by Google’s external immigration lawyers in the first quarter of 2026.
Visa uncertainty continues for tech workers
Google’s announcement comes as visa-related challenges persist for foreign workers in the US. Rising H-1B visa fees and long delays in visa stamping appointments have added to the stress.
Recently, Google advised some employees on H-1B and related visas to avoid international travel if they need new visa stamps. According to an internal advisory from the company’s immigration counsel, several US embassies and consulates are facing appointment backlogs of up to 12 months, raising the risk of employees being stranded overseas.
The advisory applies to workers on H-1B, H-4, F, J and M visas, and recommends avoiding international travel unless absolutely necessary.
For many Google employees on work visas, the restart of PERM applications offers renewed hope of long-term stability in the US. However, strict eligibility norms and ongoing visa delays mean that the path to permanent residency will remain challenging, even as the process reopens.
