Google is preparing to significantly expand green card sponsorships for its employees beginning in 2026, marking a major policy shift after years of scaled-back immigration filings amid layoffs and uncertainty in the US technology sector. According to a report by Business Insider, the tech giant has informed staff that it will restart and ramp up applications under the US Permanent Labor Certification programme, commonly known as PERM.
PERM is the first and most critical step for foreign workers seeking permanent residency in the United States, allowing employers to sponsor employees transitioning from temporary work visas such as the H-1B to a green card. In a memo reviewed by Business Insider, Google said eligible employees would be contacted by its external immigration law firm in the first quarter of 2026, signalling a structured and phased resumption of the programme.
The move comes after Google largely paused PERM filings in January 2023, coinciding with the company’s announcement of layoffs affecting roughly 12,000 employees globally. During that period, several major technology firms sharply reduced immigration sponsorships as part of broader cost-cutting measures. While Google reportedly continued to file PERM applications for a limited number of employees in 2025, the 2026 plan represents a broader reopening of the pathway to permanent residency for its foreign workforce.
Who Will Qualify for Google’s Green Card Sponsorship
While the announcement has been welcomed by many employees, Google has made it clear that the benefit will apply only to those who meet specific eligibility criteria. According to the internal memo, employees must be working in roles that require a formal degree and prior professional experience — a standard requirement under the PERM process, which obligates employers to demonstrate that no qualified US workers are available for the position.
One of the most notable conditions outlined in the memo concerns remote work. “Remote Googlers must agree to transfer to an office to be PERM eligible,” the company stated, indicating that employees working fully remotely will need to relocate to a Google office to qualify for sponsorship. The requirement reflects the regulatory expectations of the PERM programme, which is tied to a specific job location.
Performance Ratings and Job Level Matter
Google has also linked green card eligibility to employee performance and job level. According to the memo, staff at Level 3 or below — typically early-career roles — are less likely to meet the requirements for PERM sponsorship. In addition, employees must be in good standing with the company.
“Googlers must have a MI rating or higher to be eligible for PERM,” the memo noted, referring to Google’s “moderate impact” rating used in annual performance reviews. Employees who fall below that benchmark or face performance-related concerns will not be considered for sponsorship.
By tying immigration benefits to performance metrics, Google appears to be aligning green card sponsorship with long-term workforce planning and retention of high-impact talent.
Context: A Shift After Years of Uncertainty
PERM sponsorships are a crucial pathway for thousands of foreign workers in the US technology sector, particularly those from countries such as India and China, where green card backlogs can stretch for years. During the wave of layoffs in 2023, companies including Amazon and Meta also slowed or halted PERM filings, leaving many visa holders facing prolonged uncertainty about their future in the US.
The renewed push by Google comes amid continued anxiety for foreign workers. Policy changes, higher visa fees, and long processing delays have made immigration planning increasingly complex. Business Insider previously reported that Google’s legal team advised some visa-holding employees to avoid international travel due to the risk of getting stuck abroad because of prolonged visa processing timelines.
Industry analysts say Google’s decision to scale up green card sponsorships in 2026 could signal renewed confidence in workforce stability after years of volatility in the tech sector. It may also give the company a competitive edge in attracting and retaining global talent at a time when immigration pathways remain a key concern for skilled professionals.
What the Expansion Means for Employees
For eligible employees, the restart of PERM filings represents more than just a procedural step — it offers a measure of long-term security. Permanent residency allows workers to change roles more freely, avoid repeated visa renewals, and build stable lives in the US without immigration-related constraints.
However, the clearly defined eligibility rules also underscore that sponsorship will remain selective. Employees who do not meet performance, role, or location requirements may continue to face uncertainty, even as the programme expands.
As the US technology sector continues to adjust to economic pressures and evolving immigration policies, Google’s decision highlights the growing importance of structured, transparent pathways for foreign workers seeking permanent status. For many Googlers on temporary visas, 2026 could mark a turning point — one that brings clarity after years of pause, delays, and uncertainty.
