If you’re an Indian techie in the US waiting on a green card, this one will get your attention. The US has suspended a key employment-based green card process for eight major tech companies, including Indian IT heavyweights Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro and HCLTech. The announcement came on October 8, 2026, as the US administration tightens its scrutiny of employment-based immigration.
The pause hits the Permanent Labor Certification programme, better known as PERM. It’s a crucial first step for employers who want to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency, so the move could slow down green card plans for quite a few Indian professionals.
Which Companies Are Affected?
Eight technology companies have been suspended from the PERM programme:
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
- Infosys
- Wipro
- HCLTech
- Cognizant
- Capgemini
- Microsoft
- Adobe
The US Department of Labor has said it will stop accepting new PERM applications from these companies. It will also hold off on processing pending ones while investigations continue.
Why Has the US Suspended Green Card Processing?
US officials have accused the companies of misusing employment-based immigration programmes. The allegation is that they hired foreign workers for roles that American workers could have filled.
The administration says the step is meant to protect jobs for US citizens and deal with suspected violations. That said, the specific findings against each company haven’t been spelled out publicly yet.
This also doesn’t come out of nowhere. It follows broader scrutiny of the H-1B system and other routes employers use to bring in global talent. And one important point: being under investigation isn’t proof of wrongdoing, so it wouldn’t be fair to assume these companies have done anything wrong just yet.
What Is the PERM Programme?
PERM stands for Permanent Labor Certification. The US Department of Labor runs it, and most employers have to complete it before sponsoring a foreign worker for an employment-based green card.
Here’s the gist. The employer has to show that no qualified, willing, and available US worker could take the job. They also have to show that hiring a foreign worker won’t hurt the wages or working conditions of similar American employees.
Once the labour certification is approved, the employer can usually move on to the next immigration petition, as long as other requirements are met. With the suspension in place, employers on the list are stuck at this very first step of the green card journey.
How Will This Affect Indian IT Workers?
The biggest worry right now is delay. If your employer is sponsoring you through PERM, you may have to wait longer before your case can move to the next stage.
How much it affects you depends on your own situation: whether your application is already pending, which immigration steps you’ve completed, and how long the suspension lasts.
If you’re getting close to the usual six-year limit on H-1B status, keep a closer eye on things. Certain extensions may be available under specific rules, but whether you qualify depends on your individual case.
Does This Mean H-1B Visas Are Cancelled?
No, and this is where a lot of people are getting confused. The PERM suspension does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas or green cards.
The H-1B programme lets eligible employers hire foreign professionals temporarily for specialty occupations. PERM is a separate labour certification process used in many employment-based green card cases.
So if your employer is on the list, please don’t assume your current status has suddenly become invalid. Talk to your company’s immigration team or a qualified US immigration lawyer to get advice for your specific case.
What Has the Indian IT Industry Said?
The decision has sparked concern about the future of skilled-worker mobility and the long-term plans of Indian tech professionals in the US.
NASSCOM has pointed out that temporary work visas and permanent residency are two different things. It has also said Indian tech companies have already reduced their reliance on H-1B visas and increased local hiring in the United States.
How things play out will depend on how long the suspension lasts, what the investigations find and what further guidance US authorities issue.
Bottom line
The suspension of PERM processing for TCS, Infosys, Wipro and five other tech companies has left many foreign professionals unsure about their path to permanent residency. It pauses an important stage of the green card process, but it doesn’t automatically cancel existing H-1B visas or green cards. If you’re affected, keep an eye on official updates and get advice tailored to your case before making any big decisions about your job or your plans to stay in the US.
FAQs
- Which Indian IT companies are affected by the US green card suspension?
TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and HCLTech are on the list. Cognizant, Capgemini, Microsoft, and Adobe are included too.
- Has the US suspended all green card applications from India?
No. The action targets PERM processing for the eight named companies only. It isn’t a blanket suspension of all green card categories or all Indian applicants.
- Will existing H-1B visas be cancelled?
No. The PERM suspension doesn’t automatically cancel existing H-1B visas.
- Why is PERM important for Indian IT professionals?
PERM is a key labour certification step in many employer-sponsored green card cases. If it’s paused, an eligible worker’s progress toward permanent residency can be delayed.
- When will green card processing resume?
That’s not clear yet. The available reporting doesn’t say how long the suspension will last or what conditions must be met for processing to restart. Follow official announcements for updates.
