U.S. Suspends PERM Plan, Restricting Green Card Applications for Indian Tech Workers
Current overview (not historical)
The U.S. government has suspended the PERM labor certification program, temporarily halting green card applications for permanent employment at eight major tech companies. This move primarily affects Indian tech workers, who have faced decades-long green card backlogs. Reports indicate that applicants are experiencing stagnation, with some expressing reluctance to return to India for their children's education. Industry observers note a potential shift toward offshore outsourcing, though experts suggest the underlying demand for Indian tech talent may find alternative pathways.
Written with AI from the reporting · updated 10/22/2026
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- 1Unclassified fact stationOct 22, 08:02single sourcereport-time onlyrevised
美国暂停 PERM 计划限制印度科技工作者绿卡申请
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- Oct 22, 07:06
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- Oct 22, 08:02
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- BBC WorldRelated fact: single sourceFact occurrence time unverifiedSource report revisedUS suspends PERM visa pathway for eight tech firms, impacting Indian skilled workers' green card prospects
Report first recorded Oct 22, 08:02
The US announced the suspension of hiring skilled international workers on a permanent basis through the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM) for eight technology firms, including Microsoft, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and HCL Technologies. This freezes new and pending PERM applications, significantly affecting Indian tech workers who heavily rely on PERM to transition from temporary H-1B visas to permanent residency and citizenship. Nasscom, the trade association of India's $300bn technology industry, states that Indian companies are reducing H-1B dependence and hiring more locally, with Wipro reporting over 80% of its US workforce is locally hired, and TCS reporting single-digit PERM applications in the last two years. However, a US-based senior executive stated the human impact is intense, as many individuals are stuck in the US with stalled green card applications, despite family ties to India.
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