Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Microsoft Says 80% of H-1B Filings Covered Existing Staff
Microsoft explained how it used H-1B visa applications last year.
It said about four out of five applications were for people already working at the company.
The rest were for people who were already legally in the United States and decided to join Microsoft.
Microsoft also said most of its US workers are Americans and that comparable workers are paid the same.
The US administration temporarily stopped Microsoft and seven other technology companies from filing new applications in a green-card-related programme.
This programme is one step employers use when seeking permanent residency for some workers.
The suspension does not, by itself, cancel existing H-1B visas or require workers to leave the country.
Nasscom said work immigration and the movement of skilled talent are different issues.
Microsoft said about 80% of its roughly 6,000 H-1B applications last fiscal year were to extend or change the status of existing employees.
The company said its remaining applications were for people already legally in the United States who joined Microsoft, representing 1% of its US workforce.
Microsoft said most of its US employees are Americans and that H-1B workers receive the same pay as colleagues doing comparable work.
The US administration temporarily suspended Microsoft and seven other technology firms from filing new applications under the PERM green-card programme.
Nasscom said immigration and skilled-talent mobility are distinct issues and said the action adds uncertainty for Indian IT companies operating in the US.
- Who
- Microsoft, the US administration, and Nasscom; the suspension also affects seven other technology firms, including Tata, Infosys, HCL and Wipro.
- What
- Microsoft described its H-1B applications as mostly covering existing employees; the administration temporarily suspended the firms from filing new PERM applications.
- When
- Microsoft's figures cover the last fiscal year; the suspension was announced on the day described in the articles.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- The administration said stronger enforcement is needed to prevent abuse of employment-based immigration programmes and protect American workers; Microsoft said it would provide further information about its hiring practices.
Microsoft and Nasscom
US administration
Microsoft's H-1B use
Microsoft and Nasscom
Microsoft said most of its H-1B applications concerned existing employees, remaining applicants were already legally in the United States, and comparable workers receive the same pay.
US administration
The administration has argued that stronger enforcement is needed to prevent abuse of employment-based immigration programmes and protect American workers.
Skilled-worker mobility
Microsoft and Nasscom
Nasscom said immigration and skilled-talent mobility are distinct issues and should not be viewed through the same lens.
US administration
The administration temporarily suspended eight firms from filing new PERM applications, restricting access to a specific employment-based permanent-residency pathway.
- H-1B applications
- About 6,000 filed by Microsoft during the last fiscal year.
- Existing employees
- Microsoft said 80% were to extend or change the status of current employees.
- Other applications
- Microsoft said these covered people already legally in the United States who joined the company.
- Share of US workforce
- Microsoft said the remaining applications represented 1% of its American workforce.
- PERM action
- The administration temporarily suspended eight technology firms from filing new applications under the Permanent Labour Certification programme.
- Companies named
- Microsoft, Tata, Infosys, HCL and Wipro are identified in the articles.
- Effect on existing visas
- The suspension does not by itself revoke existing H-1B visas or require employees to leave the United States.
