According to reports, Google intends to resume and expand green card sponsorships for its employees starting in 2026, but the benefit will only be available to those who satisfy certain eligibility criteria.

According to a memo seen by Business Insider, the organization has notified staff that it plans to increases applications under the US Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program next year. PERM is the initial official process for foreign employees transitioning from a work visa to permanent residency in the United States.

Google announced that its external legal counsel will reach out to qualified employees in the first quarter of 2026.

In the memo, Google detailed the standards employees need to fulfill to be eligible. It indicated that staff must be employed in positions that necessitate a degree and previous experience. It also mentioned that employees working from home will not be eligible unless they consent to relocate to a Google office.

The organization also connected eligibility to job performance and level. The memo indicated that employees at Level 3 or lower are less probable to fulfill the requirements. It stated that employees who are not in good standing with the organization will not be taken into account.

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“The memo stated that Googlers need a MI rating or above to qualify for PERM,” referencing the “moderate impact” rating applied in Google’s yearly performance evaluations.

Technology firms frequently utilize PERM to assist visa holders, like those on H-1B visas, in obtaining green cards, which enable them to reside and be employed indefinitely in the US. Employers must demonstrate that there are no qualified US workers available for the position.

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Reports indicate that Google suspended the majority of PERM applications in January 2023, the same month it revealed layoffs impacting approximately 12,000 workers. Other major tech companies, such as Amazon and Meta, similarly reduced or halted PERM filings during that time due to extensive layoffs.

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The report indicated that Google persisted in submitting PERM applications for a limited number of employees throughout 2025. The choice to broaden the program in 2026 signifies a wider renewal of green card sponsorships.