Key Takeaways
• In fiscal year 2023, 1.17 million people received green cards, a 15.2% increase from the previous year.
• Employment-based green cards account for nearly 17% of total, driven by labor shortages and policy changes.
• PERM processing times have dropped to 4-6 months, speeding employer-sponsored green card applications.
Green card sponsorship by U.S. employers has reached record levels in 2025, as companies across the country step up visa support for foreign workers. This surge comes at a time when the United States 🇺🇸 faces ongoing labor shortages, especially in technology, healthcare, and other high-demand fields. With new government policies making the process faster and more transparent, both employers and skilled immigrants are seeing more opportunities than ever before.
In fiscal year 2023, about 1.17 million people received green cards, a 15.2% jump from the previous year. Of these, nearly 17% came through employment-based categories, showing just how important employer sponsorship has become. The trend is expected to continue as more U.S. employers look abroad to fill key roles and stay competitive in a global market.
Why Green Card Sponsorship Is Rising
Several factors are driving this increase in green card sponsorship:
- Labor shortages: Many U.S. employers cannot find enough qualified workers locally, especially in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, as well as healthcare and research.
- Global competition: Companies want to attract and keep the best talent from around the world. Offering green card sponsorship gives them an edge over competitors.
- Policy changes: The U.S. government has made it easier and faster for employers to sponsor workers, reducing wait times and paperwork.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes have made green card sponsorship a key tool for U.S. employers who need to fill critical jobs and support business growth.
Which Industries and Companies Lead in Sponsorship?
The industries most active in green card sponsorship in 2025 include:
- Technology: Software, hardware, and IT services companies are at the top, needing skilled engineers, developers, and data scientists.
- Healthcare: Hospitals and research centers sponsor doctors, nurses, and medical researchers.
- Finance and Consulting: Banks and consulting firms seek analysts, accountants, and business experts.
- Academia and Research: Universities and labs sponsor professors, researchers, and scientists.
Some of the largest sponsors are well-known names such as Verizon Communications, Texas Instruments, Bank of America, Home Depot, Juniper Networks, UBS Services, and Amgen. These companies file hundreds or even thousands of green card applications each year, with salaries for sponsored positions ranging from $29,000 to over $159,000 depending on the job.
How the Green Card Sponsorship Process Works in 2025
The process for employer-sponsored green cards has several steps. Each step is important, and recent changes have made the process smoother for both employers and workers.
Step 1: PERM Labor Certification
The first step is for the employer to get a PERM labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. This means the employer must show that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the job. The process includes:
- Advertising the job to U.S. workers
- Reviewing applications from U.S. candidates
- Proving to the government that hiring a foreign worker will not hurt U.S. wages or working conditions
Recent improvements have cut PERM processing times to about 4-6 months. This is a big change from past years, when the process could take much longer.
For more details on PERM, visit the Department of Labor PERM Program.
Step 2: I-140 Immigrant Petition
Once the PERM is approved, the employer files Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form tells the government which employment-based category the worker fits into, such as:
- EB-1: For workers with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors, or multinational managers
- EB-2: For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability
- EB-3: For skilled workers, professionals, and some other workers
You can find the official I-140 form and instructions on the USCIS website.
Step 3: Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing
After the I-140 is approved and the worker’s priority date is current (meaning their place in line is up), the next step depends on where the worker is:
- If in the United States 🇺🇸: The worker files Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status to become a permanent resident without leaving the country. The official form is available here.
- If outside the United States 🇺🇸: The worker applies for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate in their home country.
Step 4: Green Card Issuance
Once the application is approved, the worker receives a green card, officially known as lawful permanent resident status. This allows them to live and work in the United States 🇺🇸 permanently.
Additional Employer Support
Many U.S. employers now offer extra help to foreign workers during this process, such as:
- Paying legal fees and government filing costs
- Providing relocation assistance
- Offering guidance on paperwork and deadlines
This support makes it easier for skilled workers to move to the United States 🇺🇸 and settle in quickly.
Recent Policy Changes and Their Impact
The U.S. government has made several important changes to help both employers and foreign workers:
- Faster PERM processing: The Department of Labor has improved the system, making it easier to file and track applications.
- Visa Bulletin updates: The monthly Visa Bulletin now shows more categories as “current,” meaning more people can apply for green cards right away. You can check the latest updates on the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin.
- Priority date movement: For many employment-based categories, especially EB-2 and EB-3, priority dates have moved forward. This lets more people file their applications sooner.
- Government support: Officials from USCIS and the Department of Labor have spoken publicly about the need to attract global talent and make the process easier for employers.
These changes have led to more green cards being issued and shorter wait times for many applicants.
Key Numbers and Trends
Here are some important statistics from 2023 to 2025:
- Total green cards issued (FY 2023): About 1.17 million (up 15.2% from the previous year)
- Employment-based green cards: 16.7% of all green cards
- Top industries: Technology, healthcare, finance, consulting, academia, and research
- Average sponsored salaries: $29,000 to $159,000+, depending on the job and company
- PERM processing time: Now about 4-6 months
- Visa Bulletin status: Many categories are current or moving forward, reducing backlogs
What Experts and Employers Are Saying
Experts agree that the rise in green card sponsorship is helping the United States 🇺🇸 address serious labor shortages, especially in high-skill fields. By making it easier for U.S. employers to sponsor foreign workers, the country can keep its edge in technology, healthcare, and research.
A spokesperson for a leading tech company shared, “Offering green card sponsorship is now a must if you want to attract the best talent. It’s not just about filling jobs—it’s about building the future of our company.”
Policy experts also point out that the current administration is pushing for more reforms to make the process even faster and to raise the number of employment-based green cards available each year. This could help even more U.S. employers and skilled workers in the future.
Challenges That Remain
While the process has improved, some challenges still exist:
- Country-specific visa caps: Workers from countries with high demand, such as India and China, still face longer wait times due to limits on how many green cards can go to each country each year.
- Changing rules: Immigration policies can change quickly, so both employers and workers need to stay informed.
- Complex paperwork: Even with improvements, the process involves many forms and steps, which can be confusing without legal help.
Employers are responding by expanding their immigration support programs, offering more guidance and covering more costs for their foreign workers.
Historical Context: How We Got Here
Green card numbers peaked in the early 1990s, then dropped for many years. Since 2022, however, the trend has reversed, with more green cards being issued each year. This change reflects new government policies and the growing need for skilled workers in the United States 🇺🇸.
Employment-based green cards have always been a smaller share compared to family-based green cards. But as the U.S. economy changes and more companies need specialized skills, employer sponsorship is becoming more important.
The PERM labor certification process has been the main way for employers to sponsor workers since 2005. Ongoing reforms aim to make this process even faster and more user-friendly.
What’s Next for Green Card Sponsorship?
Looking ahead, several developments could shape the future of green card sponsorship:
- New laws: Congress is considering bills that would raise the number of employment-based green cards and cut down on backlogs.
- Better technology: USCIS and the Department of Labor are investing in digital systems to make applications faster and more transparent.
- More employer programs: As competition for talent grows, more companies are expected to offer green card sponsorship, especially in fast-growing fields like artificial intelligence and renewable energy.
- Visa Bulletin trends: Experts expect priority dates to keep moving forward, making green cards available to more people.
What This Means for Immigrants and Employers
For skilled workers, these changes mean more chances to get a green card through U.S. employers. The process is faster and more transparent, and many companies now offer extra help with paperwork and relocation.
For U.S. employers, green card sponsorship is a powerful way to fill key jobs and stay ahead in a tight labor market. By offering visa support, companies can attract and keep the best people from around the world.
Key takeaways for applicants:
- Stay informed: Check the USCIS Green Card page for the latest updates and forms.
- Work with your employer: Many companies now have dedicated teams or outside lawyers to help with the process.
- Watch the Visa Bulletin: Priority dates can change each month, so it’s important to know when you can apply.
- Prepare documents early: Having all your paperwork ready can speed up the process.
Key takeaways for employers:
- Review your hiring needs: If you can’t find qualified U.S. workers, consider green card sponsorship as a solution.
- Invest in support: Covering legal fees and offering relocation help can make your company more attractive to global talent.
- Stay updated on policy changes: Immigration rules can change quickly, so keep in touch with legal experts or government resources.
Where to Find More Information
For official guidance and the latest updates, visit these resources:
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the current environment offers more opportunities than ever for both skilled immigrants and U.S. employers. With continued reforms and strong demand for talent, green card sponsorship and visa support are likely to remain central to the U.S. immigration system in the years ahead.
By staying informed and working closely with employers, skilled workers can take advantage of these new pathways to permanent residency. U.S. employers, in turn, can use green card sponsorship to build stronger, more diverse teams and meet the challenges of a changing economy.
Learn Today
Green Card → A document granting lawful permanent resident status in the United States, allowing work and residency.
PERM Labor Certification → A Department of Labor process proving no qualified U.S. worker is available for a job before foreign hiring.
I-140 Immigrant Petition → USCIS form employers file to classify a worker under an employment-based visa category.
Adjustment of Status → Process allowing foreign workers in the U.S. to apply for permanent residence without leaving the country.
Visa Bulletin → Monthly government publication indicating visa availability and priority date movements for immigrant categories.
This Article in a Nutshell
U.S. employers significantly increased green card sponsorship in 2025 due to labor shortages and policy reforms, easing immigration for skilled workers. Technology and healthcare lead sponsorship, supported by faster PERM processing and improved visa bulletin status, providing greater opportunities for foreign professionals and bolstering economic competitiveness nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
