Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Green Card Sponsorship Suspension May Prompt Indian IT Job Switches
The US government has temporarily stopped several large technology companies from using a programme that can help workers apply for green cards.
Some workers at those companies are waiting for permanent residency.
Harish Bijoor said some might change jobs to find employers that can still sponsor them.
It is not clear when the suspension might end.
Tata Consultancy Services said it does not expect the change to affect its staffing plans or customer work.
Nasscom said this is about one immigration route, not all ways skilled workers can move.
Former HCL Technologies chief Vineet Nayar said the restrictions could lead some companies to move more technology work to India.
The US government said the action is intended to address foreign hiring concerns and protect American workers.
The US Department of Labor suspended several technology and outsourcing companies from the PERM green-card sponsorship programme amid federal investigations.
Companies named in the report include Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Microsoft and Adobe.
Brand expert Harish Bijoor said some employees awaiting permanent residency could move to employers still able to sponsor applications.
Tata Consultancy Services said its PERM applications had been in single digits over the previous two years and it did not expect the suspension to affect its workforce strategy or customer engagements.
Nasscom said the action concerns a specific immigration pathway, while Vineet Nayar warned restrictions could encourage some technology work to move to India.
- Who
- The US Department of Labor suspended several technology and outsourcing companies from the PERM programme; affected employees and the companies are central to the report.
- What
- The suspension may lead some employees awaiting permanent residency to switch to employers that can still sponsor them.
- When
- The articles describe a recent suspension but do not give a specific date.
- Where
- The action concerns US immigration and employment, with possible effects on technology work in India.
- Why
- The US administration said the action addresses concerns over foreign hiring and protects American workers; the companies were suspended amid federal investigations into alleged system misuse.
Potential impacts and concerns
Responses and qualifications
Employee mobility
Potential impacts and concerns
Harish Bijoor and Vineet Nayar said employees awaiting permanent residency may switch to companies that can still sponsor them.
Responses and qualifications
Nasscom said the decision affects a specific immigration pathway and should not be treated as a restriction on all skilled-talent mobility.
Impact on company operations
Potential impacts and concerns
The suspension could create uncertainty for employees and prompt changes in where technology work is performed, Nayar said.
Responses and qualifications
Tata Consultancy Services said its PERM applications were in single digits over the previous two years and it did not expect an effect on its workforce strategy or customer engagements.
Purpose of the suspension
Potential impacts and concerns
The report describes federal investigations into alleged misuse of the programme and concerns about foreign hiring.
Responses and qualifications
The US administration said the action is intended to protect American workers.
- Programme
- Permanent Labour Certification (PERM)
- Companies named
- Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Microsoft and Adobe
- Other entities under scrutiny
- Nine universities faced probes over allegations of undercutting American wages.
- TCS response
- TCS said its PERM applications had been in single digits over the previous two years.
- TCS outlook
- The company said it did not expect the suspension to affect its workforce strategy or customer engagements.
- Nasscom position
- It said the decision affects a specific immigration pathway and should not be conflated with broader skilled-talent mobility.
- Possible consequence
- Harish Bijoor and Vineet Nayar said some employees could seek employers that can still sponsor their applications.