The PERM process is a common practice among tech companies to help employees on visas like the H-1B secure Green Cards. This allows them to live and work permanently in the US. The process requires employers to prove that there are no qualified US workers for the role. Google had halted most PERM applications in January 2023, when it announced layoffs affecting some 12,000 employees globally.
The decision to expand the Green Card sponsorship program in 2026 comes as a response to policy changes and rising visa fees. Business Insider reported earlier that Google's lawyers had advised some employees on work visas against international travel due to severe processing delays. This update comes as tech workers on H-1B and other work visas have had a tough year with increased visa fees, longer processing times, and changing immigration policies.